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Fashola To Commission 3 Relief Roads

Prof. Bamidele Badejo, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, has disclosed that the government of Babatunde Fashola will commission three relief roads in the next two months to reduce traffic in the state.

Addressing journalists in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday, Bamidele revealed that his Ministry has identified 28 locations that cause traffic gridlock in the state, adding that the relief roads will help create a traffic-free Lagos.

He also revealed that Governor Fashola has given a go-ahead for the implementation of a blueprint for the water transportation system in the state.

The commissioner said that, in the blueprint, the routes in the waters have been designed as well as the directional signs, and terminals provided.

He added that the terminals will incorporate shopping malls, recreational centres and buses, all on the bassis of Public Private Partnership, PPP, arrangement.

He said the water transportation project will be completed next year. He said that the innovation will take thousands of cars off the roads as over 70 percent of the state is accessible by water.

Bamidele also disclosed that most roads in the state were constructed over 35 years ago when traffic was light, but with millions of cars plying the roads everyday, he said, there is need for an alternative solution.

On the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, scheme, Bamidele said that in the last four months alone, the BRT have carried 16 million passengers. He said that the Lagos Buses, Lag Bus, have recently introduced 200 buses, bringing the total to 600 buses.

Bamidele said that more buses are on the way and more routes are also to be created on a PPP arrangement. He also said that the repair of the BRT lane has been awarded to four contractors in the state that will be working at night.

He said many have expressed satisfaction with the BRT, adding that the scheme will keep improving by the day for a better transportation system in the state. Already, he explained, there are 10 seats provided in each bus for the elderly and the disabled.

He also revealed that this is in line with Governor Fashola’s philosophy that the elderly and the disabled in the state must be assisted by the state government.

10,000 Benefited From Lagos Free Health Services’— Idris
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, has disclosed that at least 10,000 indigent people of the state and neighbouring states have so far benefited from the free health mission put together by the State Government and Eko Club International (US).

Idris, who disclosed this over the weekend, at the Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area, one of the venues of the exercise, explained that the Free Health Mission Programme, introduced by the State Government for the benefit of the citizen, is in line with one of the campaign promises of the State Governor to make qualitative health care delivery accessible to all residents of Lagos irrespective of income, tribe, race or political inclination.

The Commissioner who described the partnership of Eko Club International (US) as laudable and commendable, further urged other clubs, corporate bodies and wealthy individuals to emulate the good gesture of the club by bringing qualitative medical care services to the doorsteps of the people of the state, adding that on this occasion, apart from providing medical personnel for the mission free of charge, the club also supplied all the drugs used for the medical mission.

Said he, “this is indeed a commendable gesture by the Eko Club International and I am really happy with this partnership, which I wish to recommend to all other clubs and organisations. I wish to recall that we partnered with the club last year and we are here again this year. As a matter of fact, they have been to Lagos Island, Gbagada, and now they are here at Ikosi-Isheri. When they leave here they are heading to Ikorodu.”

He explained that the scope of services covered by the scheme includes free treatment of malaria, hypertension, diabetes, dental treatment and surgeries, and routine surgeries such as herniorraphy lipon, appendirectomy among others.

The Commissioner, while stressing the commitment of the State Government to the well-being of the populace, said the free health services initiative is geared towards improving systemic performance and ultimately the quality of life of residents especially the vulnerable and indigent, adding that the free health services have been fashioned in line with the Health-Millennium Development Goals, which accords the health of children and mothers who have remained the worst hit victims of poverty and underdevelopment, a priority consideration.

“We are all stakeholders in making qualitative health care affordable and accessible to the people. We therefore bear responsibility to the progress or otherwise recorded in the state, this is the sole reason why we must all work together for the glory of the state,” Idris noted.

According to the Commissioner, the importance of the free health mission cannot be overemphasized, particularly since the Primary Health Care system is currently undergoing restructuring, hence the free medical mission is one of the ways of making people at the grassroots benefit from the healthcare system itself.

The representative of Eko Club International (US), Mr. Tajudeen Abass, expressed the readiness of the Club to continue to support and partner with the state government in its efforts to help ameliorate the sufferings of the masses

Lagos Govt Declares War Against Paraga Sellers
Following the death of certain persons in the Ilaje Community in Ajah, the Lagos State government has vowed to clamp down on sellers of local gin (paraga) at motor parks and bus stops. The state government has also warned Lagosians to stop patronising the illicit gin dealers.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, while addressing a press conference said those who died last Tuesday in the community were said to have taken the local gin. He said after drinking, the victims started vomiting and foaming in the mouth, adding that tests performed on the victims showed that they died of suffocation.

According to Idris, laboratory tests showed that the gin contained toxic substances which could have caused the deaths. “Before the final confirmation, we want to let the public know what is happening. We appeal to Lagosians to stop taking the drink.”

The commissioner also urged private operators of clinics to report cases of body pains, foaming and suffocation to the state Ministry of Health or any public health facility.

Dr Idris assured that government was committed to tackling menace of paraga, while a task force on counterfeit drugs had been set up.

“The task force has held its first meeting. The members will be up and doing. We will be move active and pro-active,” he said.

The commissioner said people who take paraga do so out of frustration. He stated that there is need to educate people to charge their ways. He said community leaders would be used in re-orientating people.

Idris affirmed that his ministry would work with the National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in the fight against the toxic drink.

Also addressing newsmen, the General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Osanyintolu, spoke on the swift response of the various agencies to the tanker explosion at Orile-Iganmu.

He, however, regretted the action of a bus driver who did not heed the instruction of the policemen who had cordoned off the scene of the explosion.

He said the driver was flagged down by the policeman but he refused to stop. The bus caught fire and the passengers lost their lives. Osanyintolu reiterated the need for Lagosians to have an attitudinal change

Parents Make Case For BRT School Buses
Parents of pupils whose schools are situated along BRT routes have called on the state government and the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), operators of the BRT scheme to make buses available for scholars along the route.

Some of the parents who spoke with TILB likened BRT to the defunct LSTC buses which provided a scholars’ bus for the use of pupils in the state.

They also argued that the problem being faced by the pupils when attempting to board the buses and other commuter buses is too tedious and the attitude of the commuter bus operators toward the pupils is unfriendly and thus subject the pupils to much suffering.

According to Mr. Ademola Adenike, “During our time, when the LSTC was operating, we hardly struggled to join any other buses because there were school buses provided by the LSTC and it was a free ride. But now, the pupils have to struggle with the adults before they can get to their destinations.

“I will implore the state government and other stake holders in the BRT service to consider these pupils and make available for them special BRT scholar buses, even if they have to pay a token, so as to ease the pain they experience daily while going and coming back from school.”

Speaking in the same vain, Mr. Bayo Salawu, a retiree, called on the state government to give the school pupils in the state special buses just like it had done for the teachers.

He argued that if the government considered it fit to give Lagos State teachers special buses, the same gesture could be extended to pupils in the state, as such will reduce lateness and the stress being experienced by the kids.

Another respondent who did not want his name in print described the attitude of the government as uncaring, especially not considering pupils in its BRT project.

He suggested that if the government cannot provide the scholars with buses, it should provide a free ride for the pupils, so that they too can benefit from the dividends of democracy. The parents pleaded with those operating the BRT scheme to as a matter of urgency make available a BRT School bus for pupils in the state.

Fashola Gives Recipe For Efficient Use Of PPP

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola has provided guidelines for the proper use of the Public Private Partnership as a model for financing public infrastructure.

Fashola, who spoke while making a presentation at a breakfast interactive session with State Governments as part of the Nigeria Infrastructure Summit at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja , said PPP projects were known to have failed in some parts of the world as a result of misconception and lack of vision adding that in such cases, governments had been saddled with guarantees, deductions and payments that clearly their economy could not support.

He told the gathering of eminent professionals at the summit, “There should, therefore, also be long-term vision, viability and need for the project. It must have social and public benefit and must add value and assist the economy where the project is being built. It will not be a PPP, for example, for me to build a Governor’s Lodge with private fund. It is a critical point beyond legislation”. Governor Fashola, who said there are already existing allied legislations however, said specific tailor-made legislations may be required in certain instances, recommending that states should be allowed to engage and make legislations in a manner that will make it feasible for them to decide where amendments were necessary.

On the reason for adopting PPP as a model for financing infrastructure projects in Lagos State, Fashola said, “On the part of the public sector, it is the realisation that government alone with its own resources cannot provide all the services that the people need such as healthcare, education, transportation so there must be a continuing balance. And that is why we have public and private hospitals and public and private schools”. According to him, “Our PPP experiences have covered a few service opportunities, the BRT, the Independent Power Project, the Lekki Infrastructure project, and Security and among others and they have been broad based in terms of local participation in the state and in the country and also international participation”. He said the State Government had used its advertising and branding rights as incentives for private sector organisations to build and brand roads.

Explaining the objective behind the Lekki Infrastructure project which he used as a case study, Fashola, who said the project was the first of its type in Sub-Sahara Africa, declared, “the objective was to provide access to the fast growing real estate corridor of Lekki in the Eastern axis of Lagos”. He said the project was also informed by his administration’s conviction that investment in infrastructure would translate to some economic growth measurable in per Capita Income.

Fashola said that in a developing country like Nigeria which has deficit of infrastructure, PPP provides the opportunity to seek private sector expertise in building and maintaining of infrastructure adding that government must use the initiative to build infrastructure to the best quality.

He however added, “We canno’t engage PpPs absolutely in the way they appear now because we do not have the time. Therefore, as governments, we must use the initiative to build the infrastructure to the best quality so that the investor may come and buy it out but if you wait for two or three years during which you need to sign protocol you may delay in giving the people the services they need”.

Lagos Partners John Holt To Lift Fire Service
The Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture has entered into a mutual partnership with John Holt Plc, in a bid to boost fire services in the state.

John Holt introduced one of its principal international partners, Rosenbauer International of Austria, to the state government last week so that it could procure latest and modern fire fighting equipment from the company.

A team from John Holt and the Regional Sales Manager, Rosenbauer, Mr. Klaus Hoerschlaeger, paid a visit on the Commissioner of Home Affairs and Culture, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, to showcase their latest modern fire fighting equipment to the ministry.

According to Hoerschlaeger, Rosenbauer is one of the leading producers of fire service equipment in Austria with on-the-field experience of 140 years.

“We have various equipment for fighting fire. Our market in Austria is too small and we decided to bring our fire service equipment to different countries. We can supply various fire fighting equipment,” he said.

Balogun, in his remarks, said the state is aspiring to have the best fire fighting equipment in the world.

“We want to have equipment to fight fire in houses and combat it. We need smaller vehicles like rapid intervention vehicles to fight market fire. Our conventional vehicles cannot enter the market to curb fire because of the narrow roads in the markets.

“We also have high rise buildings in Lagos State and don’t have the machinery to fight fire in such buildings now, but we want to buy them. We also have pipeline fire across the nation which sometimes lead to loss of lives, it does come with explosion.

“We need foam fire truck to fight this type of fire. We need these specialised vehicles to meet these challenges. As for the conventional truck, we have many of them. On the special truck, we will partner with you in this area,” he told the visitors.

The commissioner added that the state would need breathing apparatus for its fire fighters when combating chemical fire so that they would not inhale dangerous toxic.

Balogun called on John Holt to enter into a mutual relationship with government by donating some fire fighting equipment to the state as part of its corporate social responsibility.

General Manager, Fire Protection Unit, John Holt, Mr. Ugo Ezeudu, said the company is the leading provider of fire fighting equipment in the country and looked forward to partnering with the state government in supplying equipment to government.

LASG To Build Transport Terminal
Lagos State government has concluded arrangement to build an ultramodern interstate transport terminal at Ojota.

This is in its bid to enhance the status of Lagos as Africa’s first mega-city as well as eliminate the perennial traffic congestion along that axis.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson, disclosed this at the weekend, saying that the desire to construct this terminal was part of the holistic approach embarked upon by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure towards the provision of modern and enduring infrastructure in the state as well as improve its numerous network of roads.

The proposed complex, according to Johnson, is expected to consist of two terminals, each with multistorey car parking facilities on five floors.

“The parking facilities have been proposed to accommodate different categories of vehicles ranging from taxis, minibuses, luxury buses and other articulated vehicles.

The ultramodern complex is also to be provided with all the necessary toilets and conveniences, ranging from waiting areas, long looms, shopping malls, restaurants and bars,” he said.

He further explained that each of the multistorey terminal building is to be complemented with three offices/hotel towers, with the top level of the multistorey complex serving as parking areas and strictly dedicated as entrance lobbies into the towers.

“The proposal for the interstate terminal complex is being considered to be operated under the following options: Public-Private Partnership arrangement, Build, Own Operate and Transfer or a Joint Venture Arrangement.

“The state government is expected to come up with the most appropriate option after a careful consideration of the various bids expected to be submitted by interested companies.

“It is hoped that upon completion, the interstate terminal complex will finally solve the long standing traffic problems associated with this axis as well as further boost the economic potential of the state,” he said

Fashola Rebrands Fire Service
Four Lagos State Fire Service stations are now wearing new look, as Governor Babatunde Fashola has re-branded them under the first phase of repositioning the service in the state.

The stations that have been re-branded are at Agege, Ikeja, Alausa and Isolo, while the rebranding of the other four fire service stations in the state would be done under the second phase.

Last week, Fashola commissioned the branded stations that now have improved fire fighting equipment and efficient service delivery.

According to Fashola, “we recognised the enormity of the challenges before us, that is why we are refurbishing the fire services.

“We will continue to make the place habitable and give it a face-lift. I have approved the procurement of fire tankers to minimise incidence of shortage of water.”

The governor added that plans are on to purchase high rising equipment to combat fire in storey buildings.

Director of Fire Services, Mr. Adedayo Ajo, said the branding of the stations was to reposition the image of fire service in the state.

He sated that the governor had approved the procurement of 10 fire tankers for the stations in a bid to boost service delivery, adding that the era of water shortage was over.

“Fashola has compassion for the citizens of the state by recruiting additional 250 staff. He has approved the construction of additional seven fire stations at Igando, Alimoso, Oriade, Ojo, Apapa/Iganmu and so on. The government is being focused”, he stated

Bamidele Lists Achievements In One Year
After one year of managing the image of the Governor Babatunde Fashola-led administration, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, can now beat his chest that he has surpassed the feat of his predecessors in the ministry.

It was commendation galore for the commissioner last Wednesday, when he reeled out his achievements within one year in office to the press.

Members of the Governor’s Press Corps showered encomiums on the commissioner for being easily accessible unlike his predecessor.

However, Bamidele would not keep the glory to himself, but rather, his team of dedicated staff at the ministry.

The commissioner disclosed that the Press and Public Relations departments of the ministry issued 3,000 press releases which were published in the media.

“Even with this, our grassroots information management machinery has been restructured and re-engineered for effective reportorial coverage of the state government and its 20 local government and 37 local council development areas,” he said.

Bamidele disclosed that the expenditure profile of the ministry in the last one year stood at N1.1 billion, with staff salaries gulping N128.1 million, overhead costs, N399.1 million and capital expenditure, N563 million.

In the area of international development activities, he said the ministry employed information strategies to support development programmes for a life of equity and equality for all citizens.

Bamidele stated that the ministry, in this regard, collaborated with international donor agencies including United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and World Bank, among others, on advocacy activities focusing on child survival, protection and development, HIV/AIDS, and Avian Influenza, through the same frame works.

He said the frame works were in the areas of State Social Mobilisation Technical Committee, Ministerial Action Committee on HIV/AIDS and Public Enlightenment Committee on Avian Influenza.

“Furthermore, the ministry was part of the state’s mission to the stakeholders’ forum on the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA), Six-country programme, held at Ajah, Lagos between 5 and 8 May, 2008.

“It is very assuring that given the better understanding of the state population dynamics and mega city status by all concerned, Lagos State will emerge as one of the UNFPA’s six-country programme beneficiary, come January 2009,” he said.

On the Lagos Television (LTV), the commissioner said the station had been transformed from analogue to digital broadcasting and had gone fully automated and commenced 24-hour nonstop broadcasting.

“It is a thing of joy to inform you that LTV is now on cable satellite with HITV and DSTV, hence it can be received beyond the shores of Nigeria.

“Indeed, LTV will be formally launched on DSTV on 3 June, 2008. Another giant stride undertaken by the station is the Amuludun TV, a service provided for DSTV and specifically devoted to transmission of indigenous programmes,” he added.

Epe Gets 10,000 Housing Units
The Lagos State government is to provide 10,000 housing units with infrastructure facilities and internal roads for residents of Irepodun in Epe area of the state.

The houses are to be built on a 300-hectare land which is to be sand filled before the commencement of construction.

Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Dele Onabokun, disclosed that the developer handling the project tagged Dualisation of Irepodun, Epe, is City Scope International.

He said agreement for the project was signed on 23 January, 2008, while the contractor is expected to move to site soon.

Onabokun stated that the developer will construct access road/bridge to link the Lekki/Epe road and incorporate ferry transportation as part of the project.

“Mortgage facilities are to be provided for 10 to 25 years, while about 3,000 artisans are to be trained to form semiskilled labour on site.

“The project is under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) programme of the state government,” he said.

On the development of Ikota Housing Scheme (Parcels A and B) which is being handled by Marinpex Imperial Homes and Property Development Company Limited, the commissioner said 136 medium and upper medium class housing units will be provided.

He said the project comprises 60 units of flats, 16 units of terraces, 40 units of semidetached houses and 20 units of detached houses.

Onabokun added that 1,000 housing units of medium and affordable type will be provided at the Abijo Housing Scheme being handled by many developers, saying that project agreements were at an advanced stage.

He said that the Oke-Eletu Millennium Housing Scheme was completed through direct labour, while 160 blocks of semidetached two-bedroom bungalows were provided.

“There was provision of infrastructure such as roads, water and external electrification.

“Outstanding 66 blocks of semidetached bungalows are being completed by direct labour,” he disclosed

2 More CDBs Created In Lagos
The Lagos State government has embarked on the creation and development of two additional Central Business Districts (CBDs) in the state.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson, disclosed this recently, saying that the new CBDs were located at Lagos Mainland and Apapa Local Government Areas of the state.

He further stated that the state government had already commenced massive road construction work in the new CBDs.

He said 33 roads and six pedestrian bridges had been identified and that they were being carried out in phases at Lagos Mainland Local Government.

“The first phase involves the reconstruction of Murtala Muhammed Way from Yaba to Iddo, which is well above 40 per cent completion stage, while the phase two of the project involves Herbert Macaulay Street, Aje Street, Commercial Avenue and Old Yaba Road.

“In Apapa Central Business District, the Lagos State government has recognised 11 strategic roads for redevelopment and this is to be executed in four phases.

”The first two phases involve Aerodrome Road, Calcutta Crescent, Duala Road and Kofo Abayomi Street, which has since commenced,” he said.

Johnson added that the third phase of the Lagos Island CBD awarded by the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration is at 85 per cent completion stage.

“The third phase involves the extension of Brook Street, Adeniji Adele Outer Ring Road, Extension of Odunlami Street and the extension of Ereko-Martins Street. All the civil engineering works have also been completed. The contractor handling this project is Messrs. P,” he stated

Lands Bureau Earmarks N680m For Compensation
Lagos State Lands Bureau has earmarked N680 million for compensation of victims whose properties have been relocated.

Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Gbenga Ashafa, disclosed that the money was part of the budgetary provision for compensation claims for this year. He said the processing and settlement of compensation claims arising from acquisition/revocation since the creation of the state, had been problematic. “The Land Services Directorate is not in a position to determine quantum of compensation claims that may arise within the year as compensation can only be determined after enumeration. “Therefore, the budgetary provision for each year should be reasonable enough to adequately take care of compensation claims that may arise,” he said. He said in order to ensure adequate budgetary provision in the future, all agencies requiring land for public projects that would involve payment of compensation should inform the directorate in advance. On the Lagos Energy City project, Ashafa said the New Town Development Authority (NTDA) was directed by the governor to select 670 hectares of land to Supra Energy and Power City Limited Oil and Gas Consortium. “The project will boost the economy as well as generate employment opportunities. The project is to be Africa’s first fully integrated business centre for the oil and gas industry that would have great impact not only on its immediate environs, but also improve the quality of life of Nigerians and neighbouring West African countries. “The land earmarked will also enhance international tourism in Lagos State. An international airport is also being proposed for the energy city,” he stated. Ashafa added that a new town for oil and gas industry comprising hotels, residential apartments, tourist resort and commercial centres, among others, that would generate employment opportunities as well as expand the economy and revenue generation within the state, would be established. He disclosed that the NTDA is currently carrying out roads, drainage, water and electricity projects at Lekki Peninsula Schemes I and II at a cost of N1.6 billion.

Lagos Constructs 222 Roads
Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure is currently carrying out the construction of 222 roads across the state.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engineer Ganiyu Johnson, disclosed this recently. He said at the completion of the roads, the problems associated with travel times, maintenance cost of vehicles, agony and cost of transportation between communities within and outside the state, would be a thing of the past. “Various communities will be opened up for increased economic activities which will invariably increase the standard of living of the people when these roads are completed. “These projects also have unique potential for attracting investors and creating employment/job opportunities, particularly for artisans, local contractors and general labour. All these are aimed at poverty eradication and sustainable economic growth,” he said. He also disclosed that five millennium spectacular pedestrian bridges were under construction across the state. He said the bridge at second Pedro bus stop, Gbagada, was about 95 per cent completed, the one at Onipanu, 89 per cent completed, the one at Old Toll Gate, 77 per cent completed, while the one at Palm Grove bus stop is about 35 per cent completed and the one at Ojota, 30 per cent completed. Johnson also said the design of the proposed expansion of the Lagos-Badagry expressway to a 10-lane way was in progress and would soon be completed. He stated that contract had been awarded to Arab Contractors O.A.O. Nigeria Limited on the additional works to be done at the new Lagos House, Ikeja. Johnson urged the contractor to expedite action on the remaining works, such as completion of the painting of the office section of the main building. “CAPL has moved to site putting on the base course and correcting the surfaces for paint application. Other works on site, for instance, four levels office block, two level officers’ chalets and two guest chalets, are billed for completion very soon,” he said. He further stated that the Research and Development Department of the ministry is currently designing and production of waste pulverising and composing machines for the production of organic fertilizer in the most hygienic manner from domestic waste generated in the state. “Designs have been completed, approval for the production of samples have been obtained and work will commence soon,” he said.

Lagos sets up road rehabilitation gangs
IN order to ensure an all-year-round road maintenance , the Lagos State Ministry of Works has set up a 17-gang road rehabilitation and maintenance committee charged with the responsibility to fix all bad spots in the state.

The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Ganiyu Johnson an engineer, who announced the setting up of the gangs , charged the team to ensure that they fix all major bad spots to ensure free flow of vehicular movement in the state.

He said "due to the incessant down pour in the last few months, major roads in the state have indeed gone bad , which has been a source of concern to the state government, and this we are set to overcome.

"It is the desire of the state government to quickly bring to an end, the agony being experienced and that has warranted the setting up of these gangs, now with the mandate to fix all the identified bad spots in the state.

Some of the identified bad spots fixed include those at Barracks and Lagos Mainland areas, Pedro- Igi- Olugbin-Bariga area, Iyana Ipaja, Iju Road, Lagos- Badagry-Okokomaiko, Apapa-Oshodi-Toyota, Cele-Bus Stop area.

Other ares to benefit include Jibowu rail line to Funsho Williams- Oyingbo, Iddo, Herbert Macaulay, Bariga, St Finbars - University Road, Diya Street, Ejigbo- Mushin-Isolo Road, Agege Motor Road sections and Ikotun axis.

The team is also to fix bad spots along Isheri-Ijaiye Road, Iyana-Ipaja-Ikotun, Moshalashi-Ipaja Ayobo and CBD ares of Ikeja .

The Special Adviser said within the first two days of operation, the team fixed bad spots on Borno Way- Ebute Metta, Adekunle Bus Stop on Herbert Macaulay, Jibowu to Moshalashi near Empire Bus Stop, University-Moore Road, Apapa Road from Costain end to Oyigbo end, Hughes Avenue-Yaba, Funsho Willaims Avenue, barracks Bus Stop, Iyana-Ipaja Round About, Ijaiye -Isheri Road, Cele Bus Stop, CBD Complex-Ikeja, Isolo Road-daleko, Iju road near Penn Cinema and others.

Johnson explained that the team will make use of crushed stones and cement, as well as boulders in areas where there are large craters to ensure that relief is brought to those identified areas.

The Special Adviser urged Lagosians to bear with the state governemt particularly at this time of the year, as the rain has greatly slowed down road maintenance and rehabilitation programmes of the government.

He gave instances where materials have been heaped at sites and work was to commence only for the rain to start unannounced and wash away all materials and thus disrupt the planned rehabilitation.

He stressed that the Lagos State Government is aware of some bad spots in the state which he attributed to the old ages of these roads and the heavy, daily usage, which are reasons why they go bad any time it rains.

He assured Lagosians, that "come rain or shine my goal is to is to provide smooth and motorable roads for Lagosians."

Rescue on Lagos' roads
IT may have taken seven years, but Olalekan Awopetu has finally changed his mind.

He admits he was one of the Lagosians who had wondered why the government spent huge sums of money for the first seven years in the fleet of the Lagos State Ambulance Service Bus (LASAMBUS).

Some of those ambulances and more since then were kept at strategic locations along busy highways in the metropolis.

Then three weeks ago, two members of his family were involved in a petroleum tanker-fire accident in Orile, Lagos Mainland when their driver ignored warnings and drove through a puddle of petrol.

He was told that but for the quick response of the ambulance team at Mile Two, his son and nephew would have died.

" I was told that the ambulance team had been around near the scene and was able to take my son and his cousin to the hospital where they were given medical attention.

"We learnt that the ambulance team members also have basic medical knowledge which they can apply during emergency situations before expert doctors and nurses take over the care of accident victims.

Another Lagosians who thought the idea was dubious was Madam Patsy Anwunzie who argued that the huge amount of money wasted on procuring the ambulances then should have been invested in improving the comatose health care system at the local council level.

However, she was not only convinced to changed her mind last week, but has commended the initiative.

A vehicle at Oshodi hit her when she tried to cross the expressway.

She admits she owes her life today to the quick response of the LASAMBUS that was permanently stationed at Anthony Bus Stop.

She was told after she was knocked down bleeding in the head and gasping for breath a crowd of sympathisers gathered.

Then a traffic officer made a call and almost immediately, an ambulance arrived.

She was given first aid before being taken to Lagos State University General Hospital Ikeja for further treatment.

Madam Awunzie later told The Guardian she is alive today because the quick response of the ambulance.

Said she, "It would have been a different story today because I was loosing blood, and getting dizzy. I would have died and nobody even torched me, they were rather lamenting until the ambulance arrived.

Along with Awopetu and Madam Awunzie other accident victims also spoke to The Guardian about the ambulances stationed along highways within the state.

Two week ago, Ahmed Abubu, a carpenter was crossing the expressway at 7-Up along Toll Gate area when he was hit by a bus.

His left leg was broken while he sustained injuries on other parts of his body. People around including the driver of the bus had given up hope of his survival due to the severity of the accident.

However, the quick response of LASAMBUS official stationed within the area saved his life. He was quickly taken and given first treatment before being rushed to National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi

Also, Toyin Dada, 26, was among those trapped in the rubble when a building collapsed at Ebute Meta last year.

She said: " Till today, people who witnessed how I was removed from under the rubble and placed inside the ambulance continue to remind me that but for LASAMBUS, I would have died."

A commercial bus driver, Sam Okolo told The Guardian that many lives that would have been lost in accidents in the Lagos metropolis have bee saved by the quick response of LASAMBUS.

" From the few emergency situations I have witnessed, LASAMBUS has played vital roles in rescuing people by providing first aid and life support facilities to accident victims before getting them to hospital.

" I recall in those days when there was no LASAMBUS. Accident victims died at the spot because there were no quick means to take them to hospital."

A septuagenarian, Pa Olayinka Aromolo, said his first son, Olumyemi, died in an accident along Ikorodu Road over nine years ago when there was no LASAMBUS.

He said:" What killed my Oluyemi was not the accident but excessive loss of blood. He would have lived if he had been given first aid treatment after the accident."

It could safely be said that the LASAMBUS project has been a success or the Lagos State Government would not be investing so much on it.

While launching additional 10 mobile intensive care ambulance units valued at N300 million recently, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris noted that the field hospital would further enhance disaster management and emergency service in the state.

He disclosed that the new ambulances could provide on-the-spot emergency service and relief management.

Said he: "The new procurement can provide on the spot medical and surgical treatment that could even remove the danger of time waste during the rush to the market hospital.

He continued: "The field Hospital would also be used to complement the free medical missions of government and to take off the emergency pressure on hospitals. The field hospital would also move round the state every two weeks to provide health succour to Lagosians. This is aimed at ensuring accessibility of Lagosians to qualitative and affordable healthcare delivery services.

Idris also disclosed that his ministry would improve on emergency by training 5000 people from all level councils who would be regarded as army of first responder to emergency and disaster. These would include community leader, corporate and individuals, medical health family and volunteers.

"We realise that many people are willing to help victims during disaster but sadly, such help ends up causing more damages to the victims," he said.

At present, the total number of LASAMBUS has increased to 26 with enhanced features, which include twin cross stretcher two oxygen cylinders of 100 litres, scoop stretcher and others.

Idris added that the statistics of those rescued so far from January this year till date by the ambulance is not less than 4979 from different parts of the state.

"The buses are strategically located at seven accident prone areas, Tollgate -by 7-Up, Third Mainland Bridge, Abule Egba, Mile Two, Anthony, Ajah and Agbowa," he said.

lots of news.:)

Lagos seeks N275bn bond for infrastructure development

The Lagos State Government is to raise a N275bn bond from the stock market to enable it pursue its infrastructural development programme, Governor Babatunde Fashola, has said.

Fashola said at a gathering of eminent bankers at this year’s ‘Banker’s Nite’ in Lagos on Friday, that the bond would enable the state government to increase its capacity to deliver infrastructure to support business in Lagos.

He said his administration’s decision to invest massively in infrastructure development was based on the realisation that although the population of the city was spiraling, there was no corresponding growth in the economy due largely to lack of infrastructure.

Describing the decision as well thought-out, prudently conceived and consultation-based, Fashola, who said Lagos had a 30-year infrastructure deficit, declared, “We realised that if it becomes difficult to move goods, services and people from one end of the city to the other, Lagos cannot be said to be a favoured investment destination.

“It was the same roads that served the state since 1975 that are still there. It is the same shopping malls. Tejuosho was built in the 1970s and so was Falomo.

“The number of schools did not increase. The number of hospitals did not increase, the number of football fields remained the same.”

“Therefore, we realised that roads must work, waterways must work and rail transportation must and will work in Lagos.”

According to him, the population of Lagos is both an asset and a liability, and that population generates 9,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, more than the quantity generated by the whole of Ghana.

He added that even though Lagos was a favoured investment destination, investors would soon look the other way if there was in adequate infrastructure.

Akande Lauds Governor Fashola

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola has been commended for his efforts at transforming the state into an enviable position in Nigeria and beyond.

An Action Congress (AC) chieftain in Lagos, Chief Ayo Akande gave this commendation in an interview with our correspondent while assessing the various projects embarked upon in the state by the governor.

Chief Akande pointed out that Governor Fashola “is a purposeful governor with a focus for an ideal Lagos State not only in terms of infrastructure, but also in his concept of caring for the people.”

According to him, “Governor Fashola does not compromise his determination to succeed as governor of the state even when it was obvious that he took over from a solid foundation laid by his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.What he has done in one year in office is unprecedented.”

The AC chieftain was optimistic that by the time the governor marks his second year in office, transportation, road and infrastructure, health and education would have reached a greater height while revenue generation would have even multiplied.

He noted that the striking thing about governor Fashola was that he was not discriminatory, adding that he has brought the two religious groups in the country to harmony. “Imagine, this year, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III and president of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs had been to Lagos State twice,” he said.

Chief Akande who considered Lagosians lucky to have got a governor like Mr. Fashola to steer the ship of state, implored them to be patient with his administration in making dividends of democracy available to them.

He advised them to pay their rates and taxes to the coffers of the state saying, “it is part of your civic responsibilities to oil the provision of social amenities for Lagosians at large.”

Lagos may join oil-producing states soon, says Fashola’s aide
If seismic data collected on behalf of an oil prospecting company by a consulting firm is anything to go by, Lagos State may soon join the league of oil-producing states.
This was disclosed by the Acting Permanent Secretary to the Governor on Mineral Resources Development, Mr. Agboola Blaize when some experts from Mabon Group, were in his office to submit the report on the prospect of an early exploration of oil.

Speaking during the presentation of the report, the General Manager (Technical), Mr. N.A. Dada, said the possibility of Lagos being listed as an oil-producing state is very bright because "various seismic map reveals that in Badagry, there is a pool where oil could be prospected".

"What is more gratifying is that though the oil is found on-shore. It happily falls within the 200 metres bathymetric line (otherwise known as 200 nautical miles) of the coastline of the state, which makes it exclusively that of the state," Dada said.

He said an indigenous oil-prospecting firm, Yinka Folawiyo Nigeria Limited (YFNL), which acquired OPL 309 recently, drilled four wells and discovered oil and gas in commercial quantities.

This, he said, was responsible for the conversion of the oil block license to an oil mining lease.It operates on OML 113.

The oil company is scheduled to commence the production of oil and gas soon, he added.

Dada said the Aje Field form, which the YFNL is expected to operate would soon be abuzz with activities once production commences.

He warned that all the oil prospecting companies operating in the area should be monitored for accelerated work as any of them which has not drilled three well and shot a minimum of 1, 000 km of seismic within five years of its operation would be advised to withdraw.

While receiving the report, Blaize thanked the outfit for a job well done, promising to accelerate action on the report.

An elated Blaize said once oil is prospected, it would create employment for Lagosians.

He said the state would be ready to cooperate with the private sector in making this dream a possibility.

Lagos Flags Off Tree Planting Campaign On 2 Sept
The Lagos State government, in its bid to make the state one of the most habitable in the country, has concluded plans to begin an annual tree planting exercise and campaign. The exercise will be flagged off on 2 September this year.

The government says it is poised to use this exercise to create a peaceful and conducive environment for the inhabitants and visitors to the state.

In a statement made available to P.M.News, the state Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire, emphasized that the positive effect of tree planting cannot be overlooked.

“Trees provide wind breaks around premises, screen off unsightly views, reduce noise and light glares,” the statement said, adding that they also enrich the atmosphere and provide buffer against extreme variations in atmospheric condition by creating a “special micro climate”.

It is in this light that the state commenced the Operation Green Lagos programme at the inception of the Babatunde Raji Fashola administration.

This programme, the statement said, has seen to the beautification projects on-going in areas like Falomo Cloverleaf Park, Inner and Outer Marina, Isheri-Oworonshoki expressway, Ijora causeway and Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way.

Ministry Trains Officers On Child Rights Law
One cardinal programmes of the Lagos State government is to ensure the welfare of the populace, including children.

The Special Adviser to the governor on Youth, Sports and Social Development, Dr Dolapo Badru, who was represented by a director in the Social Development Department, Mrs Oluremi Jaiyesinmi, said this while welcoming participants to the one-day training workshop for management staff on ‘Child Rights Law,’ in the wake of the recent International Children’s Day.

She stated that government would stop at nothing in ensuring that officers are adequately trained to meet the necessary challenges of their duties in order to render useful services to the populace. Among the recommendations contained in a communique issued at the end of the workshop include the need for regular training of staff for better understanding of the new Child Rights Law; the establishment of the Child Rights Aids implementation committee and the need to carry out intensive campaign to educate the public on the rights of the child.

The communiqué also recommended that police officers should be given adequate training on how to handle matters affecting children and young persons, through regular seminars and workshops

600 Houses For Demolition

The Lagos State government is set to demolish houses built on canals in several parts of the state. This is to pave way for dredging of canals.

In a press release the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire, expressed government’s resolve to ensure that no part of the state would record flooding this year.

Banire spoke while on a media tour to the sites of various construction projects around the state. The sites include Bariga, Oko-Oba Agege, Baale Okoya in Apapa-Ajegunle, Gbagada and Macgregor at Dolphin in Obalende.

He said, “the state government had appropriated about N6.8 billion towards combating the perennial flooding problem.” He assured owners of houses with Certificates of Occupancy, that if their buildings are demolished, they would be duly compensated.

The commissioner also warned the various communities, where the projects are situated, to desist from dumping refuse into canals as the state government would not entertain any complaint about them until after three years.

The city needs sanitation!!!

The demolision of houses in Lagos is necessary but, how fast are they being replaced?

Lagos plans 200MW of electricity from wind

As a measure to put an end to the energy crisis in the state, the Lagos State Government on Tuesday, commissioned a study on the possibility of generating 200 megawatts of electricity via wind energy to drive businesses along the fast growing Lekki industrial corridor.

When completed, the project will power a large chunk of industrial and commercial activities that are expected to take place at the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

The state government also disclosed that it had spent over N9bn to confront the electricity needs of the rural areas, where it had started the provision of electricity via solar energy as connecting to the national grid continued to be elusive.

The Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Femi Hamzat, said the study on the wind energy as an alternative to the constant power outages was a follow-up to an earlier study by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Power in 2003, which revealed that about 1,000 megawatts of electricity could be generated from wind that was in abundance at the Lekki axis.

The strategic study, which was part of the state’s intervention in the energy crisis rocking the country, he said, would identify the wind density in the area and select a suitable site for the project.

Meanwhile, worried by the worsening energy situation and the negative effects on industrialisation and production, the state, on Monday, inaugurated a committee to consider ways of addressing the problem.

The committee, which membership is drawn from the public and private sectors of the economy, is expected to organise a conference where experts and stakeholders in the energy sector will brainstorm on available options and ways of further addressing the power problem.

Inaugurating the committee, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Niyi Oyemade, said the move had become imperative in view of the fact that Lagos hosted over 60 per cent of quoted companies and consumed not less than 40 per cent of total energy generated.

good.:)

LCCI Acquires Lekki Land For New Trade Fair Complex
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) says that it has secured a 10.6 hectare of land in Lekki area of Lagos to build a new trade fair complex.

LCCI President, Solomon Onafowokan disclosed this recently at the launch of a prospectus on 2008 Lagos International Trade Fair that the new fair ground would have adequate facilities that would help to promote the annual fair.

Onafowokan said that the chamber had concluded arrangements to build a mini trade fair complex to encourage an all-year trade exhibitions.

The development, he said, will enable the real sector and the Small and Medium Scale enterprises to showcase their wares to the public.

He said that the land was provided by Lagos State government, adding that the chamber was looking at the modalities for building and operating the complex.

He said that the old trade fair complex on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway was specifically built on the route to ease movement of goods and services within the ECOWAS sub-region.

“We are still very much interested in taking over the management of the Trade Fair Complex which management has been riddled by crisis,’’ he said.

The LCCI boss informed that about 15,000 participants were being targeted at this year’s fair, adding that about 17 countries would also showcase their products.

We Will Regulate Activities Of Sand Dredgers And Miners In Lagos- Fashola
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) yesterday restated the determination of the State Government to regulate the activities of the sand dredgers and miners in the state, insisting that global practices must be adhered to in the business.

Governor Fashola spoke when he hosted a meeting at his Alausa Oval office of all sand dredgers and miners in the state on their inputs to the regulatory framework being prepared by the state government for activities of miners and dredgers.

The governor added that the state government has the intention of regulating the operators in the sector as uncontrolled dredging will not only endanger the environment but put the life and property of people at risk.

He emphasized that there is only one Atlantic Ocean that runs across the whole world, adding that any natural event such as hurricane that takes place in any part of the world would have its effect felt in Lagos, a fortnight after.

While admitting that there is nothing wrong with sand dredging, he said the State Government is only insistent on ensuring that things are done properly adding that a barge is basic to sand dredging operation in other developed jurisdictions.

He added that flooding of several areas have not been unconnected with activities of the dredgers who have gone on with the business indiscriminately without minding the effect on the eco system.

He said the state government would rely on reports of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) carried out by the respective government agencies but which can also be complemented by independent assessment carried out by the operators in deciding the suitability of dredging businesses.

He cited several instances of government’s law enforcement resources being stretched by operators who confront security agencies with arms in the course of their illegalities on the water ways.

Governor Fashola reiterated that the government must know the operators so that it can regulate the sector and ensure that illegal diggers are treated as saboteurs, saying the State owes it a duty to stop a few from putting the majority in danger.

He said the state would not allow any form of dredging to continue on the Ado- Badore road as the State government is not unmindful of the need to preserve some of the sharp sand deposit in the area for future developmental projects.

He enjoined all Nigerians to imbibe the culture of doing things the right way, saying the plea of some of the operators that they be allowed to operate on the Ado- Badore road to liquidate some of their liabilities is untenable.

According to the Governor, it is only in Nigeria that financial commitment would have been obtained from the bank before regulatory approval is obtained from the government, saying the same scenario is playing out in the building and other sectors.

He reiterated that by Year 2015, Lagos population is expected to hit the 25million figure and that with only one thirtieth of the Lagos land space already developed, some sand deposit has to be kept for coming generations.

FG Approves New Refineries in Lagos, Eket

Acting Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Engr. Abubakar Lawal Yar'Adua yesterday said the Federal Government has approved the building of two new petroleum refining plants in Lagos and Eket in Akwa Ibom states each with about 150,000 barrels capacity, as part of plans to tackle inadequate domestic refining capacity.
Also, Yar’Adua said he is committed to the federal government plan to un-bundle the corporation, saying NNPC has been “involved in preparing a fertile ground on which to grow a commercially viable NNPC by refocusing our systems and processes towards minimising losses and maximising profits.”
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja to mark his first year in office as NNPC GMD, Yar’Adua said his task to help frame the corporation transforming into a fully commercialised Nigerian National Oil Company “remains unchanged.”
He added that the corporation has through the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), dedicated about $1 billion in the 2008 Joint Venture budget to ensure compliance with domestic gas supply obligation of companies.
On August 4, 2008, President Umaru Yar’Adua received a draft report of the Oil and Gas Sector Implementation Committee, which pointed to the seriousness of the government in carrying out reforms in NNPC.

The GMD explained that the Commercial & Investment Directorate of the corporation is charged with “the responsibility of working out strategies by which NNPC can improve on its commercial status in line with the corporation’s desire to become a world class integrated oil and gas company.”
While assuring that the whole exercise of unbun-dling NNPC will leave it “a better managed and more efficient company,” he said that the body will approach the capital market like any other public liability company to raise funds for its business
activities.“We must recognise that NNPC as a brand is already known as a service provider with its branded mega stations among others. The private investors will be more willing, with the reforms, to to put their money under a commercially viable National Oil Company. The stakeholders/investors will demand of transparency and accountability from the management,” he said.

Lagos to Power BRT Bus Stops With Solar

Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has entered into partnership with Lagos-based renewable energy company, Africa Asia Global Services Ltd, to power all the newly built BRT Bus stops in the state using solar energy.

This is in fulfilment of the promise by Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, to pursue a policy of Public Private Partnership (PPP) in infrastructural development.

In a statement by Chief Executive Office of Africa Asia Global Services, Mr Olubunmi Ogundare, the project will take-off in two weeks, and is 100 per cent private funded project.

He said his company is also in partnership with Lagos State government to light up highways, major bridges, streets and junctions within the Lagos metropolis, using solar power to illuminate the environment to reduce crimes usually attributed to darkness.

Ogundare urged individuals and corporate organisations to join hands with government for the country's infrastructural development of the country.

Lagos To Develop Rail Transport

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has disclosed his administration’s intention to give concession for the development of rail transportation in the state.

Fashola disclosed this at the signing ceremony of the Lekki infrastructural project at Alausa. The Lekki project is being handled by the Lekki Concession Company.

“We are committed to developing Lagos. We have already given concession for the development of our waterways and about to do same for rail. If people doubt what we say, they cannot doubt what we do,” he declared.

The governor said the formal signing of the contract for the development of rail transportation in the state was worth celebrating. “We ought to congratulate ourselves for today’s event. It ought to have been done two years ago. Service delivery has been denied people who have access to it. As an individual, I have learnt some important lessons. Some beliefs have been reinforced in me. One of them is the indomitable spirit of the human race,” he said.

The governor said despite seeming frustrations, the state government has been able to sign the contract at last. The governor enjoined all parties to the contract to display integrity, adding that a contractual agreement “is only valid if all contracting parties show the right attitude.”

Lagos Clears Beggars, Destitutes Off Roads

In line with its vision of turning Lagos into a megacity, the state government has intensified its effort to clear the streets of destitutes, beggars and suspected lunatics.

Officials of the state Ministry of Youths, Sports and Social Development, assisted by mobile policemen, yesterday, raided some parts of the state and arrested destitutes, beggars and others, for rehabilitation at Owutu, Ikorodu.

The officials were divided into three teams. One of the teams operated around Ikeja and Maryland. Another team moved to Victoria Island, Lekki and Ajah. The third team operated at CMS and Apongbon areas. Investigations revealed that no less than 100 destitutes were arrested and taken to the rehabilitation centre at Owutu, Ikorodu.

During the raid, some of the destitutes, especially suspected lunatics, put up a stiff resistance, but they were overpowered by the officials.

Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola on Youth, Sports and Social Development, Dr. Dolapo Badru, described the destitutes as social nuisance, stressing that the government had a zero tolerance for them.

He reiterated the commitment of the state government to fight street begging, stressing that the government was yet to identify the syndicate responsible for bringing beggars into Lagos.

“We know that they come to Lagos in droves. When you see a trailer load of these people, you can’t just arrest them. The only way we can go after them is if a beggar tells us he was working for a master,” he stated.

Badru described begging as a crime, adding that the giver and receiver of alms should be punished. He said the government was looking at the option of taking some of the destitutes back to their states of origin.

He explained that the able-bodied ones among them would be prosecuted because they have no reason to take to the despicable act. Last Friday, some officials of the state government taking destitutes to the Ikorodu rehabilitation centre, were attacked by suspected lunatics at Ojota when their vehicle had a flat tyre

Lagos Reactivates 767 Distress Lines
August 25, 2008 14:29, 11 views

The Lagos State Government has announced the reactivation of the toll free 767 emergency distress call system for the use of members of the public.

The government in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Opeyemi Bamidele, implored members of the public to call the number which would be accessible on a 24- hour basis when in need of any assistance from the security agencies, the Fire Service or when in any emergency situation.

The statement expressed the appreciation of the State government to President Umaru Musa Yar’adua for his assistance in restoring the toll free line for the usage of the public after its temporary suspension following a disagreement over the frequency allocation.

The 767 toll free emergency was launched in April by Governor Fashola as part of security measures to secure the life and property of Lagosians.

Good objective.

Lagos to Phase-Out Okada

Lagos State Government says it would soon introduce new tri-cycles in the state to gradually replace “Keke Marwa'' and commercial motorcycles.
The State Commissioner for Rural Infrastructure, Mr. Lanre Balogun told journalists today that the scheme had been approved by the state executive council.
“As soon as we receive the first batch of 100 out of the 500 units of the tri- cycles, the scheme would kick off, he said.
He said that the scheme conceived by the state government under the Lagos State Rural Transportation Initiative (LARUTI), would be supervised by his ministry when it becomes operational.
``The new tri-cycles with doors have capacities to carry between four and 10 passengers depending on the area of operation within the state,'' he explained. Balogun listed the advantages in the scheme to include empowering the people to earn a living and cater for their families.
``Through it, it will promote the transfer of technology for the users who will be trained on how to effect certain repairs with its components.
``Also the drivers of the tri-cycles will be trained as professional drivers tounderstand the traffic codes and ethics and not mess the roads as is done by the present okada riders,'' he said.
Balogun stated that their operations would be restricted to certain areas within the state and that they would not be allowed to operate on the highways.
The tri-cycles would be used to carry passengers and goods from the rural areas to the city centres and return.
``The tri-cycles will be in three classes. There will be those that will convey four passengers which would cost about N350,000, he said.
``The second grade which would cost about N500,000 will be for eight passengers while the third class which would cost N650,000 per unit would be for 10 passengers,'' he said.
Balogun added that beneficiaries would pay N100,000 as initial deposit for each while installment payment would depend on the beneficiaries' efficiency.
``The tri-cycle becomes the property of the beneficiary on full payment adding that mechanic centres had been built in strategic places in Badagry, Ikorodu and Epe where major repairs would be effected.

He said the present administrationwould concentrate more on people oriented programmes.``It is the provision of their infrastructure needs by the government that translate to development and the enjoyment of the dividends of democracy by them,'' he said. ``It will not be ideal for people to be drinking from streams in this present age in a mega city like Lagos,'' he added.

yes im so happy about ten of those almost killed me in a 2 minute time period

Jolly ride in Lagos’ stately cabs - Only N20 per minute

Fortune smiled on commuters again in Lagos last Tuesday when the state government, in collaboration with Corporate Cab Services Limited, inaugurated 200 cars to kickstart the new corporate cab initiative in the metropolis.

Prior to the new initiative, successive governments had tried various means of easing transportation system in the state. Most adults could remember vividly the park-and-ride system and the odd-and-even number plate system, which failed woefully to reduce traffic jam on the road.

The regime of Alhaji Lateef Jakande also came up with the idea of a metro line, which never saw the light of the day, perhaps because of the abrupt change of government soon after he mooted the idea.

However, since Jakande quit governance, his successors, including the military administrators, had refused to review the metro line policy.

At present, the government is trying to revive water transportation, while it has also created the Bus Rapid Transit System. It has since embarked on the construction of four jetties and enacted the Inland Waterways Act to implement the water transportation policy.

Undoubtedly, the BRT, which conveys an average of 40, 000 commuters per day, is a success story in Lagos today. And probably because of this, the government is planning to open more routes of its kind, provide more buses and, consequently, more jobs.

This context no doubt encouraged the present administration to quickly endorse the corporate cab services, which idea was conceived about two years ago, when the incumbent governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), was a Chief of Staff to his predecessor, Senator Bola Tinubu.

As Fashola put it, “I first had the idea during my tour of Japan as the Chief of Staff with some members of the state executive council two years ago. The Japanese had the state corporate cab and I discussed with the then Lagos Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Muiz Banire, on working out the same for Lagos .”

The governor reiterated his commitment to providing the best transportation system for Lagosians, saying, “We had promised during the campaign for election to use our skills and knowledge to improve the system.”

While inaugurating the first phase of 200 cars, the state governor said it was an avenue to communicate to the larger society, the opportunity that could be derived from public-private partnership initiative of the present administration.

He stated that it is the desire of the government to bequeath to motorists and commuters in the state, a reformed and integrated transportation system through the use of land, water and rail system.

He said: “The inauguration of the first phase of these branded taxis by private investors in the state signifies the commitment of the administration to further partnership with the private sector so as to evolve and operate a dynamic public transportation system for the benefit of all Lagosians.”

According to him, the government was still reviewing some applications from other private investors who wanted to participate in the corporate cab business. “We promise to give more franchise to them to allow competition and, consequently, efficiency’’, he added.

Corroborating his boss, the state Commissioner for Transportation, Professor Bamidele Badejo, said that the state government had so far scrutinised 10 corporate organisations that had shown interest in the cab service but that only one of them had met its conditions.

“It has become necessary to reinvigorate the Taxi Scheme Policy in the state to provide comfort, which most commercial operators do not provide. One of the private investors is the State Taxi Drivers Association of Nigeria, which may win a slot to promote healthy competition. The association has been so supportive and we think we can also work with them,” he said.

While government would be providing the infrastructure, the commissioner said that the corporate company would be providing security and safety facilities to make the passengers comfortable.

He noted that the corporate company had already paid the sum of N5 million as licensing fee and the sum of N1.5million as annual renewal fee to the state government prior to the inauguration.

Commenting on the partnership, the Chairman of the Corporate Cab Services, Dr. Odunlami Kola-Daisi, said that the company had come up with the initiative to alleviate road congestion and road accidents, as well as change the poor service most commuters get from the public transportation operators.

He said: “This has made a lot of commuters to lose confidence in the public transport system and prefer to own and ride in their own private vehicles, leading to congestion, wastages and inefficient use of time.”

To increase the efficiency in the system, Kola-Daisi explained that the corporate cab service would soon increase the number of the taxis to about 1000.

Speaking about the modalities for the operation, the Chief Executive of Corporate Cab Services Limited, Mr. Victor Adeyemi, said that the cab would operate for 16 hours, between 6am and 10 pm, and that charges would be determined by the time spent to convey the passenger, adding that a transit would cost N20 per minute.

Interestingly, the Lagos State Taxi Drivers Association welcomed the idea, as its president, Prince Tajudeen Adetoro, threw his weight behind it.

To him, the corporate cab is a good concept which would re-position transportation in the state.

“We, the entire members of the association, wholeheartedly support the initiative. It is no doubt a good idea. We will soon invite the government to inaugurate our own state- of- the- art cars for the same corporate cab services,” he said.

Third Mainland Bridge: Blessings of the rehabilitation

Lagosians are gradually coming to terms with the reality of the sacrifice they have to make concerning the ongoing rehabilitation of the Third

The 18-year old bridge will be closed to traffic for two months (from August 2 till the end of September) at Ebute Meta junction and Adeniji Adele to allow for repairs on four expansion joints, which represent the critical part of the bridge.

Despite the promise of alternative routes for motorists and other users of the bridge, there are fears that the partial closure will cause major disruption to movement and dislocation of business activities in many parts of the state, especially on Lagos Island.

Five days after the work got underway, many appear to have been consoled with the saying, “You cannot make omelette without breaking eggs”, as they are adopting varied strategies to deal with the situation.

The initial confusion experienced on the bridge and its spill over effect on the first day of the rehabilitation disappeared on Monday.

Except for Ikorodu Road, many other roads leading to Lagos Island were relatively free as only few people went to Victoria Island, Ikoyi and other places on the Island with their cars.

Some other people who came out with their cars had to park the vehicles at convenient places in the mainland.

Many roads in Victoria Island became free and the return journey from the Island to Oshodi, Ojota, Ikeja and other places on the mainland was devoid of the usual hustle.

There was heavy presence of traffic officers at major traffic points.

The Bus Rapid Transit, a new urban bus transport system in Lagos, is one of the major beneficiaries of the bridge repairs.

Many commuters throng the BRT terminals at Ketu and Marina and its various bus stops along Ikorodu Road and Western Avenue.

Unlike other commuter bus drivers plying Lagos Island routes, who seized the opportunity to slam an increase of about 100 per cent on transport fares, the rate for the BRT buses has remained moderate and unchanged.

Besides, the buses run on a segregated lane, which makes their trip to and from Marina faster and smoother.

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, the regulator of the BRT scheme, envisaged that the period of repairs would increase the demand for its service and had requested for more buses.

LAMATA’s Technical Advisor on Public Transport, Mr. Gbenga Dairo, said in a statement, “Additional buses are to be deployed to the BRT fleet to cater for the expected increase in demand.”

One other good side of the repair is the current lighting of the 11.8km bridge.

According to the Federal Controller of Works for South West, Mr. Tunde Ekunsumi, the bridge has two sources of generating power for lighting it at night.

Fashola, concessionaire sign N40bn LIP pact

GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State yesterday signed the N40 billion Lagos Infrastructure Project agreements with the representatives of Lekki Concession Company (LLC). The LIP was first launched in 1999 under the Public Private Partnership by Governor Bola Tinubu administration as part of effort in the delivery of road infrastructural development.

The contract cover construction of modern road network in the Lekki-Epe corridor and Victoria Island. In all 49.4 kilometres of road will be constructed. Fashola said on the occasion that the signing was evidence of his administration’s commitment towards provision of basic infrastructure as well as improving the living standard of Lagos residents.

Recalling that the agreement could have been signed two years ago, Fashola said the project was delayed due to frustration caused by the immediate past administration at the federal level.

He promised to continue to remain in the pursue providing the necessary infrastructure to the residents. Adding that was evidenced by the ongoing efforts of the state government in the construction of more jetties, provide more ferries and construction of light rail.

While commending the concession company for their commitment and encouragement on the execution of the project without initial take off grant, the governor charged them not to relent in their effort to see to final completion of the project with good service delivery.

His words: “Agreement alone will not do the work, it is the character and commitment that gives strength to the agreement.”

Also speaing, Chief Executive Officer /Managing Director of LCC, Mr. Opuiyo Oforiokuma said that the project which is in two phases would be completed in two and half years.

The first phase include; the construction of road infrastructure from Falomo road and terminates at Eleko Beach, along Lekki Epe, Eastward axis while the second phase involve 20 kilometres coastal roads from Ahmadu Bello as well as seven other road interchange.

Oforiokuma stated that by the agreement, the company now has legal access to long term financing from financial institutions.

Lagos Corporate Cabs website:
http://corporatecabs-ng.com/aboutus.html

The photo they have in that website ^^^ of the taxi..in the CBD is very encouraging, a picture of a good car service and the background of the skyline.

Makes you think

Lagos Corporate Cabs website:
http://corporatecabs-ng.com/aboutus.html

love it!:cheers:

this is the first "nigerian" website that is well done

this is the first "nigerian" website that is well done

You ain't lying. This is one of the few.

Lagos Corporate Cabs website:
http://corporatecabs-ng.com/aboutus.html


Very encouraging! Fashola is a man of great vision.:cheers:

Lead by example!

How did Lagos become more expensive than L.A.?


By Mike Steere
For CNN

LAGOS, Nigeria (CNN) -- It's very rarely African cities get compared with their flashy European counterparts, yet, when it comes to cost of living Lagos isn't just competing with its neighbors in Europe -- it's beating them.

Hotel rooms in Lagos, now the 30th most expensive city in the world, now cost hundreds of dollars a night.

Nigeria's coastal economic and financial capital is the shock entry in the top 50 cities of this year's Mercer Cost of Living survey.

The vibrant home to almost eight million Nigerians beat off the likes of Barcelona, Berlin and Brussels, and even U.S. locations such as Washington and Los Angeles -- to be rated the 30th most expensive city in the world.

Its streets are now home to BMWs, its waterways play host to multi-million dollar super-yachts, and its hotel rooms fetch hundreds of dollars per night. Yes, if the Mercer survey is anything to go by this is an economic "boom-town."

But, how can a city from such a notoriously poverty-stricken region of the world rise to join this list of riches?

The answer: a mix of democracy, private investment and tourism -- according to Lagos governor, Babatunde Fashola.

Part of the city's current level of development undoubtedly rests with the growth achieved during the oil boom of the 1970s, which saw a population explosion and unrestrained economic growth.

But Fashola believes there are number of contemporary factors pushing the seventh fastest growing metropolis in the world forwards into a "truly international city."

There is a wealth of local resources which has helped the region grow, and now private sector business is becoming the major driver to financial success.

"The government is trying to engage with the private sector. It's about engaging in partnerships with the private sector -- partnerships that other countries have used successfully for a long time.

"I think [Lagos is] beginning to take its rightful place in the community of top international cities."

Fashola believes the democratic climate in Nigeria has helped the Lagos region develop by offering new-found freedom to local governments, private investors, and other independent groups.

"There's no perfect democracy. But, if you look at where we came from almost nine years ago, when you couldn't criticize government, we are better off today. Elected officials can now be held to account."

He said that the environment allowed for more robust planning between the government, individuals and the wider public.

Independent investors are helping improve local services by investing in private hospitals and schools, but Fashola admits there is still plenty of work to be done, with infrastructure still not up to the standards of other major cities around the world.

"These other cities like New York have reliable and efficient power supply 24 hours a day. We still do not have that in Lagos."

He told CNN he did not agree with Mercer's cost of living survey placing Lagos as the "30th most expensive city in the world."

"Life can not be measured like this. You can't compare Lagos with other cities across the globe and across the continent.

"You can not put them on the same scale as they do not have the same resources and infrastructure," Fashola said.

He added that Lagos is expensive compared to other parts of the country, but that was like comparing prices between "London and Milton Keynes."

"The greater the population and the greater the demand for goods, then the forces of demand and supply will push up the price," he said.

Despite this, Fashola believes the development of Lagos has not made the city unaffordable for locals. Some central city rents are said to be as high as US$6,000-$7,000 per month, but Fashola said the situation was the same in many European cities, and locals were surviving.

However, if prices are high now, there's little to suggest they will ease in the near future. Fashola said the growing number of tourists are bringing a lot of new money into the city.

"People are coming in as tourists, but tourists are also investors. They come here to do business at the same time," he said.

He believes the key to Lagos' future is catering to these groups.

"We are providing a mix of business and pleasure. A city where people can live, work and play.

"I would like it to become a truly international city, and a center of tourism and business. It has a wonderful Atlantic coastline and we need to use it," Fashola said.

If cost of living measures and growth meters are anything to go by -- Lagos is well on the way to that end.

I even found trouble seeing the positive in this development, and I'm seeing it here in a medium that we often criticize here in these forums.

Fashola woos investors on waste management

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has called on local and international investors to buy into multi-billion naira investment opportunities in waste management sector of the state and reap attractive returns for their investments.

He spoke at the commissioning of 50 new compactor trucks acquired by the state for Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), to further drive the campaign of a cleaner and healthier environment befitting the state.

To this end, the governor gave cart pushers up till December 31, to vacate their illegal business resulting in dumping of refuse into canals and drainage system, saying he would personally lead the enforcement and implementation of existing legislation which prohibited the use of carts in waste collection and disposal.

The governor said the cart pusher had the option of joining licensed PSP operators or get out of the business.

Assuring investors of enabling environment, he said government would be willing to assist them in negotiating funds from financial institutions as done in the transportation sector, with the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme.

"We wish to assure that we shall not relent in our efforts to bequeath a clean and healthy environment to the people of Lagos State. If we must succeed however, all hands must be on deck. The responsibility for ensuring a clean environment in the state is not that of government and its agencies alone.

"Every individual member of the general public, business organisations, corporate bodies, voluntary organisations and various communities have a role to play," he staed.

Speaking earlier, the managing director of LAWMA, Ola Oresanya, said the commissioning of the compactors was part of the ongoing efforts at improving the lots of the agency as an integral part of the administration’s long-term strategy for general waste management in the state.

Lagos is not doing the citizen good if the city is that so expensive. It`s time the government starts to bring the standard to a level where the grassroot can benefit from everything in the city.

Lagos is not doing the citizen good if the city is that so expensive. It`s time the government starts to bring the standard to a level where the grassroot can benefit from everything in the city.

It's not government's job to lower prices it is competition in the private sector that has to do it. Also the Nigerian government has alot of import restrictions which keep prices high. these should be abolish and let the private sector settle where it may. Sure some companies will die in the short term but in the long term more competitive companies will survive.

Fashola Visits Lagos Slum, Promises Aid



Governor Babatunde Fashola has promised to relocate residents of Better Life Community, a slum in Makoko area of Yaba, Lagos.

Residents of the slum community have agreed to be resettled in another area of the state.

The governor, who visited the area yesterday to inspect facilities, was surprised that people lived in such an environment.

He expressed displeasure at the condition of the people and said the slum environment was not a place for human beings to reside.

“Slums are not places for people to live, especially those who have children because of the diseases and sicknesses caused by stagnant water and mosquito bites,” he stated.

The governor said there was a need to discuss with the residents on the need to relocate them to a place with modern facilities because their consent was need.

“I have to seek your consent on this because resettling people elsewhere in the past had proved difficult,” he told the community representatives, who have lived in the area for years.

The community has agreed to vacate the area for a new place, though the government is yet to reveal the new location to them.

It is expected that after the residents have been relocated, the state government would redevelop the slum into a modern residential area.

Also, the authorities of the Army Central Ordinance department, Yaba, has approved the demolition of its perimeter fence by the state government to allow for the construction of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane along the Murtala Muhammed way.

Fashola said he had discussed with the Army authorities and the state government had been given the go ahead to demolish the fence for the construction of the BRT lane.

The governor also inspected City Hall on Lagos Island, which is being reconstructed by Arab Contractor. He urged the contractor to make use of quality materials to construct the place.

The ayes, nays of a beautiful Lagos

MAYBE because the Lagos State Government is owing on quite a few of some of its promises like good roads and free-flowing traffic, many Lagosians were not sure whether to take serious the Green and Beautification programme.

The skeptical thought it would be a still-birth, suffocated by inconsistency, lack of resolve, poor funding and the lack of requisite know-how.

But a little more than a year after the Lagos Green and Beautification project took off, the face of the city has changed for the better.

To the pleasant surprise of many, the government, through the Ministry of the Environment, has pursued the programme with vigour and at present, parts of the metropolis like Ojota, Oworonsoki, Falomo, Ikoyi, Ikeja and others have indeed been beautified .

But while the government seems to be making good effort, some challenges have emerged that seem to threaten such efforts.

One of those challenges is that a few Lagosians still argue that something else needs to be done to bring succour to the suffering people in the state.

The other is the negative attitude towards their environment by Lagosians which seems to imply that government may rather take a tough stance and be ready to prosecute whosoever contradicts the purpose of the beautification efforts.

The situation in Obalende may well illustrate such challenges.

Efforts to sanitize and beautify the environment has come under threat by the attitude of police officers and their families in Ije Barracks.

While the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment has tried to clear the debris inside McGregor Canal in Obalende , with the view to planting trees and flowers along the length of the canal, the Police in Ije Barracks seem to have another plan altogether.

During an inspection of his Ministry's beautification efforts in the area, the Commissioner of Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire was disturbed by the long line of container shops owned by the police authorities along the canal.

Bold inscriptions such as 'Police Quarters , Keep Off ' said it all.

A resident of Obalende, Bimpe Ayotunde told The Guardian it was difficult to understand " why the authorities in the police are acting as if they do not know a beautiful Lagos is for everyone.

"We have all acknowledged the clearing of the canal by the state and the plants that are already being planted.

" But the new container shops that are been erected on it would constitute another problem, because very soon refuse heaps from those shops would fill-up the canal and mess up the beautification projects in the area".

Another resident, Maurice Mba noted that abuse of the drainage channels in the state though erection of illegal structures and dumping of refuse have brought untold hardship to the people of the state.

"Government is committing huge sums of resources towards redressing the situation and bring succour to the people.

" What is important is for Lagosians , no matter who - policeman , soldier or civilian to co-operate with the state by not frustrating to beautification efforts."

The commissioner who lamented that the illegal container shops were at variance with the Physical Planning Laws of the state condemned "a deliberate attempt to compromise the investment of the government especially in the recent clearing of the canal canal.

He called on the Inspector General of Police and the Assistant Inspector General of Police in Charge of Zone II to prevail on the men at Ijeh Barracks Obalende to desist from erection of the illegal shops as "the state government will do everything within the law to ensure that the illegal structures do not stay."

Banire also charged artisans working by the bridge to accommodate their colleagues displaced from under the bridge pending when the government would find a space to relocate them.

He said plans were on to ensure that available space is maximized by setting up joint workshop bays which every one could use as against having one bay to one person since experience has shown that every one may not be busy at the bay at the same time. In the same vein, he called on the Nigeria Police at the State Criminal Investigation Department , Alagbon to desist from allowing themselves to be used to frustrate the on-going beautification works at the Marina .

He noted that the second phase which would extend landscaping to Apongbon was being frustrated by owners of abandoned shipwrecks by the Marina who have been using the police to harass the contractor, Arabella Landscaping and destroying his property.

He said the top echelon of the police had dissociated itself from the act and that policemen condoning the illegal obstruction of work were taking big risks.

He appealed to the Federal Ministry of the Environment to extend the shoreline protection works from the Bonny Camp Officers' Mess to Apongbon in order to protect the Marina Linear Park which was nearing completion and may be commissioned soon.

The commissioner expressed satisfaction with the job done at Clover Leaf , Falomo, and promised that the park would soon be commissioned by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) so that members of the public can make use of it for recreation.

At the Lagos State Waste Management Authority Transfer Loading Station , Ebute - Elefun , Banire noted that upon completion , it will serve as transit camp for refuse generated in Lagos Island and Eti- Osa where it would be compacted at night and thus increase the turn-around time of the compactor trucks .

" The implication of this is that more refuse would be removed and the environment will be cleaner and the populace will live healthier lives.|"

To illustrate " the state government's unflinching resolve to ensure a Greener, more beautiful and healthier environment ," Banire said a 20- man committee has been set up by the Ministry of the Environment to take inventory of the total number of trees planted throughout the state during the last tree planting exercise, ascertain how well they are doing and report any dead , withering or trampled-upon plants for immediate replacement.

" I am sure the plants will do well and soon our streets and highways will be adorned with the beauty of the trees while the air we breathe will become cleaner ", he said.

Fashionla should be a visionary Governor. I admire his stance on cleaning up Lagos -Nigeria.

Lagos Or Bust
http://www.thenewblackmagazine.com/Photofiles/Lagos_Ikoyi_Bay.jpg
Lagos today is regarded as Africa’s largest metropolis, which isn’t surprising considering its close to twenty million population, its rapidly developing structure and its streets flowing with life 24/7.



Lagos, with its African rhythms rising from every corner, the unusual human landscapes that surround you on all sides, and its definitely not-to-be-missed market places, sits on one of the world’s most mysterious continents.



It must be said however that this city differs slightly from the image of Africa most people carry around in their minds. The sheer density of traffic in the street, for example, will shock most newcomers, and seeing traditional market places side by side with giant outdoor shopping strips may strike those who picture an arid and under-developed Africa as strange at first.



But it is precisely this cosmopolitan atmosphere in the heart of the African continent that gives the city its own unique aesthetic.

THE PEOPLE MAKE THE CITY
Lagos has a lot in common with other very big and crowded cities: impossible traffic, large poor neighborhoods and areas where nobody should wander alone at night. When discovering Lagos we therefore recommend, for both safety and comfort, that you hire a private chauffeur through one of the hotels. This way you will also gain a reliable companion.



What’s more, you can tour the city at your leisure without being bound by a hard fast schedule. But to get a real insight into what is the heart of the city you must stroll through the people-packed narrow lanes and markets of Lagos Island, one of Africa’s most frantic and densely packed pedestrian districts and the city’s oldest quarter, and wander through its markets.



At first glance the streets appear to be one massive market. On further inspection, you soon realize that each section is selling one kind of product. The sights here include the Oba’s Palace, the National Museum and a few examples of Brazilian architecture.


Some cities become even more attractive through the people who live there, their outlook and their approach to you. Lagos is one of those cities. From street vendors to bank tellers, just about everyone here is going to be friendly.
WHAT TO SEE
One of the most attractive buildings is the National Museum on Awolowo Avenue, near Tafava Balewa Square, which is open every day. The Museum houses numerous exhibits of Nigeria’s ancient civilizations, including some famous bronze and terracotta sculptures.



Guides are available for a small fee but everything is labelled reasonably clearly so it’s easy enough to wander around by yourself. One of the most important displays is of the Benin bronze plaques that once adorned the royal palace at Benin City. At the back of the museum are a couple of craft huts selling interesting wood carvings. You can find very beautiful gift items here for your friends with a special interest in African culture.



Awolowo Avenue, where the museum is located and where you will also find all the good bookshops, is one of Lagos’s most beautiful areas. This avenue, with its fashionable boutiques and pricey restaurants, also boasts a number of embassies. If you have time, the Musical Society of Nigeria Centre (MUSON), just opposite the museum, in its well-kept gardens laid out in the style unique to West Africa is a must-see.


THE SALT AIR

It wouldn’t be right to speak of Lagos and not mention the sea. Lagos Harbor is the biggest and busiest in Africa, and hundreds of ships and tankers line up out to sea waiting to unload their cargos or be pumped full of oil at the Apapa Docks to the south of Lagos Island.



Of course, Lagos Island is not all there is to Lagos. You couldn’t be regarded as having done the city justice, for example, without seeing Ikoyi and Victoria Island. There is no noticeable border between the Lagos Island and Ikoyi except for a tangle of flyovers. Ikoyi lacks the frantic atmosphere and teeming streets of Lagos Island, but it does offer some shops and restaurants.



And the city’s most expensive and exclusive shops are also located here in southwest Ikoyi. Falomo Bridge connects Ikoyi with Victorian Island (VI for short), which is the location of many hotels, banks, offices, embassies, useful shops, and the best of Lagos’s restaurants.



Unlike Lagos Island or Awolowo Road, there’s little sense in walking around here as everything is spread out. Bar Beach is a very popular strand that runs along the south of Victoria Island parallel to Ahmadu Bello Way. Swimming is not recommended here, but you can walk along the shore and enjoy the view.



The best public beach near the city is Tarkwa Bay, a sheltered coastline where you can swim safely just six kilometers from the city center.

COLORFUL SHOPPING!
Lagos’s markets are all more colorful than the last. Strolling through Lekki Market, about nine kilometers from Victoria Island, is a favorite pastime in the city on afternoons and weekends. At the same time, you can buy beads, masks, small paintings and various items made of wood as well as fruit, vegetables and fresh fish at Ilasan Market, or Ola Fegushi.



If you bargain hard, this can be a cheaper place than other markets or shops in Lagos to buy such items. It’s actually best to go on a weekday, as prices are higher at the weekends when the tourists come. On the way back from the Market, shop at the recently completed Palms Shopping Mall and Entertainment Center, the start of a new era with its modern, 21st century
building.

A final warning before we conclude. Credit cards are accepted in very few places in Lagos, but you can easily change euros or dollars into ‘naira’, the Nigerian currency, at one of the many exchange dealers.



In short, Lagos is one of the rare African cities that offers visitors both a modern holiday and an experience unique to West Africa, an alternative for those who want to make the acquaintance of a culture that is different from that of the continent’s other regions and from the classical notion of Africa.



Lagos is, most certainly, the business gateway to Nigeria and West Africa, a region rich in natural and cultural resources.

Lagos Or Bust
http://www.thenewblackmagazine.com/Photofiles/Lagos_Ikoyi_Bay.jpg
Lagos today is regarded as Africa’s largest metropolis, which isn’t surprising considering its close to twenty million population, its rapidly developing structure and its streets flowing with life 24/7.



Lagos, with its African rhythms rising from every corner, the unusual human landscapes that surround you on all sides, and its definitely not-to-be-missed market places, sits on one of the world’s most mysterious continents.



It must be said however that this city differs slightly from the image of Africa most people carry around in their minds. The sheer density of traffic in the street, for example, will shock most newcomers, and seeing traditional market places side by side with giant outdoor shopping strips may strike those who picture an arid and under-developed Africa as strange at first.



But it is precisely this cosmopolitan atmosphere in the heart of the African continent that gives the city its own unique aesthetic.

THE PEOPLE MAKE THE CITY
Lagos has a lot in common with other very big and crowded cities: impossible traffic, large poor neighborhoods and areas where nobody should wander alone at night. When discovering Lagos we therefore recommend, for both safety and comfort, that you hire a private chauffeur through one of the hotels. This way you will also gain a reliable companion.



What’s more, you can tour the city at your leisure without being bound by a hard fast schedule. But to get a real insight into what is the heart of the city you must stroll through the people-packed narrow lanes and markets of Lagos Island, one of Africa’s most frantic and densely packed pedestrian districts and the city’s oldest quarter, and wander through its markets.



At first glance the streets appear to be one massive market. On further inspection, you soon realize that each section is selling one kind of product. The sights here include the Oba’s Palace, the National Museum and a few examples of Brazilian architecture.


Some cities become even more attractive through the people who live there, their outlook and their approach to you. Lagos is one of those cities. From street vendors to bank tellers, just about everyone here is going to be friendly.
WHAT TO SEE
One of the most attractive buildings is the National Museum on Awolowo Avenue, near Tafava Balewa Square, which is open every day. The Museum houses numerous exhibits of Nigeria’s ancient civilizations, including some famous bronze and terracotta sculptures.



Guides are available for a small fee but everything is labelled reasonably clearly so it’s easy enough to wander around by yourself. One of the most important displays is of the Benin bronze plaques that once adorned the royal palace at Benin City. At the back of the museum are a couple of craft huts selling interesting wood carvings. You can find very beautiful gift items here for your friends with a special interest in African culture.



Awolowo Avenue, where the museum is located and where you will also find all the good bookshops, is one of Lagos’s most beautiful areas. This avenue, with its fashionable boutiques and pricey restaurants, also boasts a number of embassies. If you have time, the Musical Society of Nigeria Centre (MUSON), just opposite the museum, in its well-kept gardens laid out in the style unique to West Africa is a must-see.


THE SALT AIR

It wouldn’t be right to speak of Lagos and not mention the sea. Lagos Harbor is the biggest and busiest in Africa, and hundreds of ships and tankers line up out to sea waiting to unload their cargos or be pumped full of oil at the Apapa Docks to the south of Lagos Island.



Of course, Lagos Island is not all there is to Lagos. You couldn’t be regarded as having done the city justice, for example, without seeing Ikoyi and Victoria Island. There is no noticeable border between the Lagos Island and Ikoyi except for a tangle of flyovers. Ikoyi lacks the frantic atmosphere and teeming streets of Lagos Island, but it does offer some shops and restaurants.



And the city’s most expensive and exclusive shops are also located here in southwest Ikoyi. Falomo Bridge connects Ikoyi with Victorian Island (VI for short), which is the location of many hotels, banks, offices, embassies, useful shops, and the best of Lagos’s restaurants.



Unlike Lagos Island or Awolowo Road, there’s little sense in walking around here as everything is spread out. Bar Beach is a very popular strand that runs along the south of Victoria Island parallel to Ahmadu Bello Way. Swimming is not recommended here, but you can walk along the shore and enjoy the view.



The best public beach near the city is Tarkwa Bay, a sheltered coastline where you can swim safely just six kilometers from the city center.

COLORFUL SHOPPING!
Lagos’s markets are all more colorful than the last. Strolling through Lekki Market, about nine kilometers from Victoria Island, is a favorite pastime in the city on afternoons and weekends. At the same time, you can buy beads, masks, small paintings and various items made of wood as well as fruit, vegetables and fresh fish at Ilasan Market, or Ola Fegushi.



If you bargain hard, this can be a cheaper place than other markets or shops in Lagos to buy such items. It’s actually best to go on a weekday, as prices are higher at the weekends when the tourists come. On the way back from the Market, shop at the recently completed Palms Shopping Mall and Entertainment Center, the start of a new era with its modern, 21st century
building.

A final warning before we conclude. Credit cards are accepted in very few places in Lagos, but you can easily change euros or dollars into ‘naira’, the Nigerian currency, at one of the many exchange dealers.



In short, Lagos is one of the rare African cities that offers visitors both a modern holiday and an experience unique to West Africa, an alternative for those who want to make the acquaintance of a culture that is different from that of the continent’s other regions and from the classical notion of Africa.



Lagos is, most certainly, the business gateway to Nigeria and West Africa, a region rich in natural and cultural resources.

Isn't Cairo Africa's largest city? If you take the metro area (including Giza) I'd think that Cairo is bigger. Lagos is probably growing at a faster rate.

Lagos City is way larger than Cairo City by population.

but Cairo Metropolitan area, which is the City with all the neighboring suburbs etc is larger than Lagos Metropolitan area.

Isn't Cairo Africa's largest city? If you take the metro area (including Giza) I'd think that Cairo is bigger. Lagos is probably growing at a faster rate.
Considering the population of Lagos,i belive Lagos metro area is bigger.

I just love the above pic,How i wish a new shot is taken from that particular area.

At last, crippled giant falls

The Bank of Industry that collapsed in March 2006 was brought down in controlled demolition yesterday


THE countdown yesterday was like what would take place at the United States National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA)'s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Cape Canaveral, Los Angeles California just before blast-off of a manned spacecraft.

But this was in Abule Oki Street, the Lagos Central Business District, and no spacecraft was being sent into orbit.

Rather, the count down was to, at last, bring to an end the tortuous, lingering saga of the multi-storey Nigerian Industrial Development Bank ( NIDB) building popularly known as Bank of Industries (BOI) part of which collapsed in March 2006.

Just 60 seconds after the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) began the countdown which was completed by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Francisco Abosede, two years of anxiety came to an end and Lagosians exhaled with intense relief.

Before yesterday, so much controversy had trailed the collapsed NIDB building .

Stakeholders including the Federal and Lagos State governments, professionals in different areas of engineering, politicians as well as ordinary Lagosians had agonised over what to do with the giant structure that had once dominated the skyline.

Such controversies now lie buried in the hundreds of tons of rubble, mangled steel, crushed cement and marble as well as expensive fittings.

The controlled demolition of the high rise structure was watched by a large crowd of anxious Lagosians as well as very important citizens of the state, including the state governor, his deputy Mrs.Adebisi Sosan, former Governor of Lagos State , Lateef Jakande , Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Funmilayo Tejuosho Chief Akintola Williams, Mr. Ben Bruce and traditional rulers led by Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu among other eminent Nigerians.

The South African firm, HITECH which brought the structure down confirmed that such controlled demolition was the first of its kind in the whole of Africa region.

When the explosions went off , the building collapsed into itself as if it were a huge accordion being played by much mightier and powerful hands.

It sent up into the sky a thick cloud of dust that covered the entire Abule Oki area and residents as well dignitaries raised a cheer almost as loud as the explosions that reduced the structure to rubble.

Owners of businesses in the area who have suffered the aftermath of the partial collapse jumped in jubilation thanking God that the remains of the collapsed building, which had sent them away from their various homes and means of livelihood was finally gone.

Most particularly affected were residents of Ayeni Compound who had written series of petitions to the state governor and Oba Akiolu over their plight since the building collapsed.

They were not permitted to return to their homes at the foot of the building for fear that more debris may fall from the crippled structure.

"The anxiety we have lived with these two and a half years has ended " , a young man, Femi , told The Guardian yesterday .

He was among those who leapt for joy shouting

.hurah! hurah! hurah!..

Some business owners that had been affected told The Guardian the demolition eventually brought an end to their tribulations.

One of them Mathias Okorie expressed gratitude to the state government for the high level of commitment it showed in ensuring that the BOI building was eventually demolished.

According to him: "What happened today may not have meaning to others , but for us and those who tasted its bitter effects , it is freedom indeed.

" Many families that were sent packing and also banned by security agents from entering their homes have gone disarray, a lot of businesses collapsed while some owners even died.

"It was like a journey that would never end for many of us but today it is all over."

Another resident Mutiu Tijani could not hold his emotions as the building went down.

He was simply shouting May Allah be praised, May Allah be praised, May Allah be praised."

A worshipper in African Church Cathedral Bethel Church, which had remained under lock and key since the building collapsed, Solomon Jesuniyi was also filled with joy as it came down .

According to Jesuniyi: "The entire members of the church had been praying for a solution to the problem because our church is beside the BOI building.

" We could not hold service of course.The entire street was sealed off.

" For us the three years can best be described as our years of exile. But thank God in a very short while we shall return."

A worker, Boniface Uroji whose popular fast food outlet on Abule Oki that shared a fence with the BOI building told The Guardian that business had been dull during the period the remains of the BOI structure still stood.

"Although we sometimes tried to operate skeletal services, customers out of fear could not gather the courage to sit and eat. It was a worrying period."

While residents told their woes and joys to The Guardian, the state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development , Fransico Abosede also disclosed to The Guardian that the road construction work the state embarked on as part of the Central Business District (CBD) development, could not be extended to Abule Oki because of the building.

"No doubt the building caused a lot of setback and that was why the state government approached it with all determination."

The structural engineer from HITECH, Barry Ames who supervised the demolition said about 6,000 explosives were planted in various parts of the building.

Before the explosives were detonated, he told The Guardian:"The structure would be blown down and not up with little or no effect except for minor vibration within the area. We do not entertain any fear at all because we have done necessary technical survey in the past six months."

After the building had gone down, Fashola expressed gratitude to President Musa Yar'Adua who he said had given necessary support to Lagos and the final approval " for us to demolish the building.

"Although it was not an easy task, however the beauty of it all is that our aim was achieved."

The Oba of Lagos, Akiolu said the successful demolition was a vindication of himself and former governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu .

He also thanked President Yar'Adua saying: "I alone knows the number of petitions I have received from victims of the building while the relic was standing."

The Second Republic Governor of Lagos State Alhaji Lateef Jakande also noted that the controlled demolition of the structure was historic.

"It is a story that generations to come would hear. I was initially wondering how it would work out without having effect or other structures and lives. But now , it has turned out that our fears have been allayed ."

LASG Lights Up Lagos


The city of Lagos is now wearing a new look at night. Thanks to the move by the Lagos State government to provide illumination across major roads in the metropolis at night.

Places like Bank Anthony Way, Awolowo Way, Eric Moore Road, among others, are lit up at night as Lagos is fast coping with the challenges of becoming a mega-city.

Other places with street lights include Allen Avenue, Ojora Street in Ajegunle, Simpson Road, Old Ipaja Road, Igando Road, Olojo Road in Ojo Local Government, Palm Avenue, Marina/Market Street in Badagry, Adeniyi Jones and Oba Akran.

Some of these places already have their street lights installed. When the lights come on at night, they enhance security in those places. They also add beauty to the already beautified environment.

“With the installation of these street lights road accidents will be reduced to the barest minimum since most dark areas of the metropolis will be illuminated.

“It will also aid members of the police force identify dark sports that are usually hideouts for hoodlums,” said Engineer Ganiyu Johnson, Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure.

“These street lights will be powered by a different power source, separate from what is supplied by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). They will be powered by energy saving lamps otherwise known as inverters.

“The inverter will enhance the source of energy for street lights operation from Direct Current (DC) to Alternative Current AC). They will be placed in secured places in the metropolis where it could be charged from time to time,” he added.

“With the street lights, we want to complement the ongoing mega-city target. In other developed countries of the world, when roads are constructed, they must have walkways, street lights and good drainage system.

“Now, we are talking about Lagos as a mega-city, street-lights are the ultimate. When there is illumination at night, hoodlums will have no place to hide. It will also complement the ongoing beautification exercise in the state,” enthused Mr. Fola Adeyemi, Head of Media, Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

According to him, “by the time all these are put together, the dream of Lagos, as an ideal society will manifest. These street lights will transform the face of Lagos. Look at what Bank Anthony now looks like at night.”

Good.

Govt seeks to divert traffic from roads to waterways


Published: Wednesday, 1 Oct 2008
In a bid to surmount the intractable traffic congestion on the Lagos highways, the state government is determined to develop ferry services system in the state.

This measure is to serve as an alternative means of public transportation for commuters.

During the Lateef Jakande administration between 1979 and 1983, two notable boats, Baba Kekere and Ita Faji, were popular among Lagosians.

An on-line information obtained on the website of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, said a feasibility study of the development of ferry services in the state, being conducted by a firm, Royal Haskoning Limited, was underway.

It is meant to achieve the development and implementation of strategic plans for improving the use of waterways of metropolitan Lagos for transport services.

Already, two new jetties at Agboyi-Ketu in Kosofe Local Government Area and Ijegun Egba in Oriade Local Council Development Area of Amuwo-Odofin LGA have been constructed in addition to the existing ones in the state.

LAMATA claimed that it had also engaged a contractor to rehabilitate the Epeme and Iya-Afin jetties, both in Badagry LGA.

The dredging and channelisation of Ikorodu waterfront and the Lagos lagoon have also begun; and seven main routes have been identified for development.

Out of these, however, three routes and the Marina terminal have been earmarked as priority and provision of water transportation enhancement services.

The priority routes are: Ikorodu-Marina (North Direct line); Ojo-Marina via Satellite Town (West line); and Ijede-Badore via Lekki and Falomo-Marina (East line).

This will facilitate water transportation along Ipakodo-Ibeshe, Oworonsoki-CMS and Badore-Ijede route, to complement road transport, especially along the 22-kilometre Ikorodu Bus Rapid Transit corridor.

According to LAMATA, “there is also a plan to develop Osborne and turn it into a major terminal interchange in future.

A latest on-line newsletter of TradeInvestNigeria quoted the Commissioner for Transportation, Prof. Bamidele Badejo, as saying that “there are over 60 jetties that need to be developed and we are currently working on about only six, which means that there are a lot of openings for investors in ferry operations. There is need to develop more terminals and jetties.”

Badejo therefore called for public private partnerships in the operation of water transportation in the state. He said some operators had already been contacted and in no too distant date, water transportation would be enjoyed in the state.

The commissioner repeatedly says that Lagos city, with a population of about 17 million, cannot survive on one mode of transportation, hence the need to develop other means of transportation.

While this gesture appeared to be a challenge to the extreme congestion on the highways, the state government has been charged to provide adequate facilities capable of mitigating disaster on the waterways.

A management consultant, Mr. Remi Olagunju, said it was necessary for the state government to put measures in place to respond promptly to emergencies and turbulence on the high seas.

According to him, “ferry service is a good investment and reliable means of means of transportation. But the government should look into the aspects of safety and security of passengers, the seaworthiness of the ferries plying the waterways, communication gadgets, and coping with emergencies.”

Olagunju said the state government should also regulate the number of passengers each ferry could carry, urging would-be investors to abide by the regulations prescribed by the state water inland authority from time to time.

Yet, there a few others who did not readily applaud the operation of ferry services because of their phobia for the waterways.

An artisan, Mr. Adebayo Yusuf, said he disliked boarding the ferry because of his inability to swim. A dealer in computer accessories, Mrs. Mosun Olusola, spoke in similar vein, saying she would rather trek long distance in the absence of “commercial buses and Okada operators,” instead of boarding the ferry.

LAMATA has, however, allayed the fears expressed by these residents. The authority has assured that water transportation remains a safer mode of public transportation.

It maintained that “water transportation is a realistic and potentially effective option, given that Lagos is blessed with abundant water bodies that could be harnessed to offer fast, safe, comfortable and cheaper water transportation services.”

As the state government is opening its waterways for transport services, it is expected that shrewd businessmen would take advantage of massive urbanisation and endless rural-urban drift to Lagos to invest in ferry services in the state.

By so doing, such investors would be assisting in tackling one of the challenges of population explosion in the state.

Functional rail system: Lagos woos investors

Lagos State government has invited private investors to partner it in building a functional rail system that will move people and goods across the state thereby reducing the current pressure on roads.
This is even as the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has disclosed plans to commence and complete the construction of two rail lines (red and blue lines), out of the seven approved for it by the state government by 2011.

The red line will run from Agbado to Marina, using existing Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) corridor while the blue line will run from Okokomaiko to CMS, using the median of the Lagos-Badagry road due to be widened to a 10-lane international gateway with neighbouring Republic of Benin.

The state deputy governor, Sarah Sosan, speaking at the just concluded Lagos Mega-City Business Expo 2008, the state more than ever before needed a functional rail system to move increasing population of people since the roads alone could no longer cope.

According to Sosan: "Since this expo is a forum for investors to tap into the laudable projects we are executing in Lagos to really make it a truly mega-city, I call on investors to invest in this rail project which the government is ready to invest in the provision of infrastructure."

She explained that the state government was in a hurry to turn the fortunes of Lagos around in view of many years of neglect of the nation’s economic capital "which contributes profoundly into national revenue".

" Lagos as you know was the nation’s former political capital but with the movement to Abuja , the Federal Government utterly neglected Lagos . Yet Lagos continues to attract people from all over the country and the neighbouring countries, thus putting much pressure on Lagos ’ already weak infrastructure," she said. The deputy governor commended LAMATA for its commitments towards the actualisation of the government’s dream of providing functional infrastructure. "Let me commend the plan already put up by LAMATA to give Lagos two rail lines by 2011. We need this infrastructure more than ever before because if we don’t do it now, we will continue to have traffic bottlenecks on our already congested roads. "We are sure that when this rail projects are completed, people would be encouraged to live outside Lagos and only come to work there," she stated.

wasn't yesterday, nigerian independence day. (oct. 1st.) did you guys forget? its the 48th birthday of nigeria.

I celebrated it on Facebook

I really do hope the railway project in Lagos wil be well maintained and run by competent people with good intentions.....All these planned projects and ideas are all good and necessary for the development of the country but basic ingredients such as power, security and uprooting corruption need to be guaranteed before any of these projects can see the light of day or have any meaning to Nigerians....

Lagos' TBS complex in N48b refurbishment scheme

AN all-inclusive plan to enhance the status of Nigeria's independence day landmark, the Tafawa Balewa Square complex in Lagos, popularly referred to as TBS, is about to be effected by the new manager of the complex, TBS City Limited, a project development consortium.

The scheme is coming three months after the Federal Government, through the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) - which implemented the privatisation drive of the government - officially handed over the complex to the concessionaire, Messrs BHS International.

BHS, is managing the property through TBS City Limited, a property development consortium and special purpose vehicle set up for the exercise.

The deal, which is renewable, will in the first instance last for 30 years, though the projects will run for the next five years, currently, the historic edifice is undergoing a major refurbishment exercise, which upon completion will cost a total of about N48 billion.

Though efforts have been made to maintain its original architectural design, fresh projects are to be introduced with a view to making the property more commercially viable, especially for a mega-city like Lagos. The N48 billion bill will cover developmental projects, staffing and other administrative issues that bother on the management of the complex.

Shortly after the take over, renovation work began with the painting of the exterior of the complex and provision of new amenities.

New projects to be undertaken under the new drive include construction of1000 additional shops and offices, and two high capacity conference halls. Also, a multi-storey automated car park building, which would serve all tenants and patrons of the new complex would be provided.

There will also be a 20-floor multi-purpose recreational and sports complex with shopping malls similar to Sandon City, South Africa. A five-star hotel with up to 500 rooms and a block of 200 luxury flats are also lined up for construction, too.

The plan will also include another multi-storey structure, which would house a gallery, museums, cinema, theatre, and other facilities to enhance tourist activities. And to curtail criminal activities, within the area, a structure to house the Police would be built.

Addressing the press last week, Adeyemi Ibironke of the TBS, Corporate Affairs Department said his firm has commenced sourcing for finance from both local and foreign investors. For instance, he said the new managing company is negotiating with both local and international financial institutions.

"While we are yet to conclude arrangements with local professionals, we have chosen a foreign partner, IRK, from Germany, to work with us," Ibironke said.

"Under our proposed plan, we hope to retain the current Federal Government subsidised rent regime to all tenants under a 29-year mortgage arrangement on the one hand whilst ensuring that there are visible improvements with regards to service delivery, business expansion, and structure and environmental aesthetics", he added.

He said that renovation work had already commenced, starting with the refurbishment of the existing structure. He stated that the blocks of offices and would be constructed before the consortium will take on the construction of flats and hotels.

Tafawa Balewa Square Complex was built in 1976 and was open to business early in 1978 to serve as a national edifice and commercial hot spot at the same time. It covers approximately 14.375 hectares comprising 374 shops/office premises, a main bowl of approximately 3.6 hectares wide capable of sitting 58,000 people and two pavilions with an additional sitting capacity of 5,500 people, four car parks, and a 1,000-seater capacity multi-purpose hall, amongst others.

Hitherto, under the management of the Federal Government the complex was managed solely by the Tafawa Balewa Square Investment Limited (TBSIL).

Lagos, Private Sector to Partner On Inland Water Transport


Daily Champion (Lagos)


NEWS
7 October 2008
Posted to the web 7 October 2008

By Mansur Oladunjoye
Lagos

Lagos State government may partner with private sector on ways to improve the inland water transportation, aimed at reducing the stress associated with road transportation.

Consequently, the state commissioner for transportation, Prof. Dele Badejo, told newsmen in his office at the weekend that the government has directed the importation of undisclosed number of 150-passenger capacity vessels, "to meet up with required and desired standards."


According to him, the state has, in anticipation of the delivery, embarked on the construction of jetties as well as the rehabilitation of the existing ones, saying, "We want to consolidate on our water transport by making sure that our Public Private Partnership (PPP) works."

Badejo said that the expected ferries would arrive the state with experts that would partner with the state government in the areas of repair and maintenance, adding that, "The state government is already considering boat yards that would be producing necessary spare parts for prompt repair of any troubled boat."

Even as the state government will to pay more attention to the water transportation, Badejo disclosed that the road is also going to be carried along. He, however, noted that plans are underway to increase the state Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) zones from the existing six to 20 for effective coverage of the state.

According to him, "We want to improve on traffic management by acquiring more motorbikes for LASTMA to be able to respond to traffic problems on time".

I think it will take some time before Lagosians warm up to ferries cos of the poor maintenance culture in the country but i guess if the leave it to the private sector to take up, it could just be different this time around. Fashola's government seems very serious about changing Lagos...its about time..the world has left us behind for too long...

Fashola's government seems very serious about changing Lagos...its about time..the world has left us behind for too long...

:gossip:..no doubt he has the potential to be the next president.. ..but he should run a second term as lagos governor.

definetly

Lagos to float N275bn bond for light rail

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday announced plans to float a N275bn bond on the Nigerian Stock Exchange to finance the construction of infrastructure to support two new rail lines currently being developed.

The two lines – Red and Blue – are to run from Agbado to Marina, and from Okokomaiko to Marina respectively.

Governor Babatunde Fashola, who made the disclosure at an investors’ forum in Lagos, said that his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, initiated the project.

According to him, provisions for the funding of the projects have been spread over the state’s budgets for three years (2008-2011).

Over $1bn will be spent by the state government on the infrastructure. It is also estimated that local and foreign investors will commit over $1bn to the provision of rolling stock and other operational equipment in the running of the two lines.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Tola Kasali, said that both lines, which are to be completed in 2011, were estimated to move 1.6 million passengers daily.

He said, “The concessionaire for the Blue Line is expected to invest an initial amount of $271m, although total investment over a 25-year-period of the concession is about $820m. The concessionaire for the Red Line is expected to invest an amount of $764.4m.

“The Lagos State Government intends to finance the infrastructure for both rail lines through the capital market by floating an estimated N275bn worth of rail infrastructure bonds.”

He also gave the details of the capital cost of project as Okokomaiko-Iddo ($582m), Iddo-Marina ($215m), and Agbado-Iddo ($402m).

He stressed that the project would assist in traffic decongestion and landmark public/private partnership and opportunities for real estate development near the rail stations.

The governor recalled that the dream of a metro line project for Lagos was conceived under the Lateef Jakande Administration in the early 1980s but was abandoned by the subsequent administrations.

Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said the project was part of an already approved rail network for the state, which comprised seven rail lines.

Apart from the Lagos forum, he said that the state government planned two other investment forums for Dubai in the United Arab Emirate to capture investors in that region and Asia, and in London for potential investors from Europe and the United States.

The LAMATA boss urged investors to take advantage of the opportunity, claiming that it would be more rewarding than investment in GSM companies.

Lamenting that Lagos was the only mega city in the world without a light rail, he expressed optimism that the new lines would be one of the few most profitable rail systems in the world, next to Hong Kong.

He said, “We have the funding mechanism to pay for the two rail lines. It will not be a start and stop show. It is a project that we shall start and complete in record time.

“We have engaged renowned consultants, CPSC Transcorm of Canada, which has proven integrity for the project.”

Lagos Takes Delivery of Sunborn Yacht Hotel

The Lagos State Government at the weekend officially took delivery of the prestigious Sunborn Yacht Hotel which it recently acquired.
The floating hotel is reputed to be one of the few major tourism innovations in the world. The 105-bedroom custom-built boat hotel moored at the Marina waterfront has become an exciting spectacle with many passers-by stopping to catch a glimpse or take photographs with their telephone devices.
Speaking while receiving the floating hotel facility, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-governmental Relations, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, described the transfer of the hotel to Lagos as a landmark achievement of Governor Babatunde Fashola administration meant to reposition Lagos as a tourism destination saying, “for Lagos, Africa and indeed the Middle East, this has now become the flagship and a project heralding the dawn of a new era in the Nigerian tourism sector.”
The obviously elated Senator Afikuyomi said the Yacht hotel would add value to Lagos Tourism sector being one of the very few floating hotels in the world thereby putting Lagos in the league of cities like New York, Barcelona, Paris and Finland and ahead of cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha which are said to be at various stages of setting up similar floating hotels.
Senator Afikuyomi also credited the speed and success of the acquisition to the healthy relationship between the Lagos State administration and the organized private sector in the state saying, “though this is a fully funded private sector initiative only facilitated by the State government to achieve the set objectives of the administration for the development of tourism in the state, it is on record as one of the quickest PPP transactions prosecuted to fruition in less than one year from conception. This is a credit to the vision and drive of the leadership of Governor Babatunde Fashola and the team spirit that exists in the Lagos State Executive Council”.
Speaking further on the Sunborn Yacht Hotel voted ‘Best Hotel’ in the Food and Drinks Categories in the United Kingdom for 2005 and 2006 respectively, the Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong commended the vision of the Lagos State administration in embarking on the project saying, “this is a breakthrough for tourism in Nigeria and generally for the whole of Africa, because we were made to understand that this is in fact the first of this type of innovation in the hospitality industry in the whole of Africa. History has been made today. This is a landmark achievement that I am very proud to associate myself with.”
Dr. Hong further assured of the Federal government support for the project. He said: “We are very proud of this achievement because it will provide opportunities for so many Nigerians. It will also provide a destination that will power and promote tourism in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole. On the part of the Federal Government, we are fully in support of Lagos State and its private sector partners towards realizing this very great achievement.”
The Minister further explained the degree of involvement of the Federal government saying, “though the federal government is not a part of the investment process, we are ready to give more of our support to the management team, Lagos State Government and whoever is involved. Our major excitement at the Federal level about this innovation is that, more than 400 to 500 Nigerians will have direct employment as a result of this large hotel facility and more than 1000 Nigerians will have direct benefit from purchase and supply.”
Custom-built in 1999 and refitted in the year 2002, the Sunborn Yacht Hotel combines contemporary class and comfort being 18.4m wide, 106.5m in length and 17.6m in height from the sea level. The edifice with a total of six decks and an interior space of approximately 5000 sq.m will provide a breathtaking ambience for corporate guests, conference delegates, wedding parties and leisure guests to hold their exclusive events. The Lagos Yacht hotel presently boasts of such facilities such as conference halls, restaurants, meeting rooms, spas, saunas and lounges.

can one get images of the Sunborn Yatch in Lagos - Nigeria!

can one get images of the Sunborn Yatch in Lagos - Nigeria!

supposedly, this is it



http://naijablog.blogspot.com/

E-CENTRE: THE RENAISSANCE OF DOMINO
Author: Alonge Michael
Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:08:00

The Bruce's family who are known to be dazzlers in the entertainment industry are at it again as their 44 year old Domino has been given a facelift with a touch of class and panache. If you are conversant with trends on Commercial Avenue, Sabo-Yaba, you would probably noticed a new edifice directly facing the Army Barracks, well, be the first to know that the new place is now called E-Centre. Appropriately, this branded shopping and entertainment arcade is an exciting addition to the existing Lagos landscape, with its light green exterior and combination blue highlights providing a welcomed change to the normal browns and white associated with Nigerian retail environment.

The unique environment houses clothing shops, restaurants, banking hall, a pharmaceutical shop, an arcade of fun for play group, Domino Supermarkets and Ozone Cinema which boasts of international standard like that of the Silverbird Galleria.

“The new look supermarket, offers a streamlined shopping experience where everything has been designed to making the life easy for the customer. As for Ozone Cinema, you have to see it to believe it, it's a four state-of-the-earth screens with superior sound, stepping onto the cinema is like stepping into a different world.” Michael Murray-Bruce, Managing Director/CEO said in his speech.

Lagos grants firm licence to operate corporate taxis

Less than three months after inaugurating a corporate taxi initiative, the Lagos State Government has licensed Citrans Global Limited, a subsidiary of C & I Leasing, to provide modern taxi service in the state.

C & I Leasing is also the parent company of C & I Motors, the marketers of Suzuki brand of vehicles in Nigeria.

The Chief Executive Officer, Citrans, Mr. Collins David-Ikpe, said on Tuesday that the company was rolling out its first set of 200 Suzuki cars for the corporate taxi scheme in January 2009 in line with the directive of the state government.


Already, he said that the test- run of the operation had commenced, adding that the company planned to inject 1,200 units into the scheme before the end of the year, and hoped to increase the number to 2,000 units in two years.


David-Ikpe further explained that, “Officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation had inspected our facilities on November 7, 2008.

We are also expecting the first batch of 200 Suzuki SX4 hatchback cars and 100 Suzuki Alto cars in December 2008, and the inauguration by the governor of Lagos State in January 2009.”


Citrans, according to David-Ikpe, will in due course venture into bus and ferry services in line with the mission of the company at its inception.

Meanwhile, the Citrans boss said that the company, which would operate the red cabs, hoped to use Suzuki SX4 and Alto for the taxi scheme.

He also disclosed that the firm would offer any of the two new models to individuals and corporate bodies interested in operating the taxi programme under the company’s name.


“Under the business model, we shall provide lease to individuals and corporate organisations to operate the taxis as part of our job creation scheme under social responsibility,” he said.


He gave the prices of the cars as N2.8m and N1.5m for the Suzuki SX4 and Alto respectively.

The amount, he added, included the cost of tracking, in-car communication device and security gadgets.

TThe taxis, which are easily distinguished as new air-conditioned cars, are fitted with meters as mandated by the state government to determine fares based on distance covered.

“We are going to have both metre and fixed fares. For those we are offering leasing to, they are going to brand the cars in our colour,” David-Ikpe said.

The state government had inaugurated the first phase of the corporate taxi scheme on August 26 at the state secretariat with 200 new cars, which were mainly Toyota, Nissan and Honda brands.

Governor Babatunde Fashola said at the event that the innovation was in line with the vision of the administration to provide a seamless transport system in the mega city.

Although the governor also hinted of plans to incorporate the Lagos State Taxi Drivers and Cab Operators Association into the programme, the group is yet to come on board.

David-Ikpe said part of the pitfalls of similar programmes in the past was the poor attitude of the drivers.

He stressed that the scheme had been perfected to guide against fraud and other forms of abuse.

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

Lagos to phase out 40,000 molue

MORE than 40,000 mass transit buses currently plying Lagos roads are to be phased out under the ongoing transportation programme of the state government.

The state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who gave the hint on Friday at the Government House, Ikeja, said the vehicles would be replaced with modern ones that befit the metropolis.

The governor spoke when he received the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. John Mitchell Dumound.

He said business partnerships between Nigerian and local entrepreneurs had been successfully carried out in the telecommunication sector with over 35 million subscribers base presently and an additional two new entrants to the sector this year.

He added that the average investor in Nigeria in the last nine years had reaped bountifully as the returns on investment had been higher that what anyone could get elsewhere.

He said: “With 18 million people by a seaport, Lagos is a dream location for international business. We have taken advantage of this with our Free Trade Zone where we are already responding to request for land and built up factories and refineries.”

He pledged his readiness to continue to work together with the French Government in the collective interest of the earth which is getting smaller and smaller on the issue of the planet, environment, renewable energy, carbon emission and other areas where structured partnership could be engaged in.

He commended President Sarkozy for promoting mature and peaceful stance of stabilising global polity.

The French Ambassador had acknowledged the progress being made by the government in improving the lives of the people of Lagos especially in the field of sanitation and an improvement in the aesthetics of the state.

He said that he had also seen the success being made out of public transportation business especially the BRT and how the dedicated lane had been respected by the members of the public.

He further expressed his appreciation for the efforts being made in the field of security of lives and property, saying French citizens were happy to be here in Lagos.

He promised to work towards ensuring that businessmen from France took advantage of the business opportunities offered by Lagos to bring their businesses here.

He lamented that despite the fact that France were one of the leading economic partners of Nigeria in the sub Saharan Africa, no economic relationship existed between local governments in France and their Nigerian counterparts, promising to assist in this regard.

Lagos picks nine developers for 20,000 units housing scheme
By Tunde Alao, The Guardian



TOWARDS meeting its pledge to provide 20,000 new housing units in the state, the Lagos government has picked nine developers to facilitate the plan. The nine were selected from a list of 25 that indicated interest in partnering with the state government on the scheme.

The selected firms included City Scape International, Marimpex Imperial Homes and Property Development Company Limited, Key Based Ventures, Haons Properties, Cortex Limited, MIDC Limited and Messrs Tobi Ventures.

The selection of the developers followed the state government's decision to involve the private sector in its housing delivery programme, as stated by the state governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, in the 2009 appropriation bill.

In documentation made available to The Guardian, 10,000 units of various types are to be built in the Irepodun area, in Epe Local government. The project, titled "Dubailisation of Irepodun Housing Scheme," is to be handled by City Scape International. It is expected to be located on a 300 hectares parcel of land, a large portion of which is to be sand filled.

The developer is to build an access road and bridge that would link the Lekki-Epe express road, as the site is almost two kilometres away from the main road. The project would also incorporate ferry transportation as part of the transportation facilities.

Although the actual cost of the project is yet to be made public, it was gathered that following an agreement signed between the developer and the state government on January 23, 2008, construction activities have commenced with the clearing of the project site.

Another scheme - the relocation of Ikota residents to Ogombo - has also commenced. The relocation exercise, which a source in the Ministry of Housing said would gulp close to N4.5 billion if the residents are evicted and compensation is paid, will now be used in provision of an alternative accommodation.

The relocation of Ikota residents to Ogombo, officials said, is not unconnected with the need to conform to the new Lekki Regional master plan about to be executed by the state government.

"Existing developments at Ikota are at variance with the vision which government has for the axis. It is not in conformity with the emerging Lekki regional master plan, hence, the need for the relocation," said a source at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development who spoke anonymously.

Selected to execute the Ogombo project, according to The Guardian source, is Messrs MIDC Limited. Though the project will comprise a mixed range of house types, the number of units could not be ascertained as at last week. However, the developer would be expected to provide roads, drainage facilities, external electrification, water supply and reticulation.

The Olokonla Millennium Medium Housing Scheme is to be executed by Key Based Ventures Limited. The estate will comprise 160-units of three-bedroom luxury flats on a 3.716 hectares piece of land.

Included in the project description is the construction of a link road by the developer, who has already mobilised on site for the scheme, which cost, like others, is still being kept secret.

Meanwhile, another project which is about to commence is the redevelopment of the Ikota housing scheme "Parcels A and B." The scheme, which is to be executed by Messrs Marimpex Imperial Homes and Property Development Limited, is to occupy 5.151 hectares of land. It will consist of 136 units of different house types.

These include 60 units of three-bedroom flats, 16 units of four-bedroom terraces, 40 units of three-bedroom semi-detached houses and 20 units of three-bedroom detached houses. The contractor has reportedly been to the site to evaluate the situation.

Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola had, during the presentation of the 2009 Appropriation Bill, alluded to the need for involvement of the private sector in the housing sector.

According to Fashola, "it was in this respect that 27 developers have been proposed for the construction of 20,000 housing units in 10 different locations across the state." He added that under this arrangement, the state government would provide land as equity, while private resources are deployed to construct the estates.

He also hinted that government is currently addressing the problem of congestion created by high population density in the metropolitan area through the establishment of satellite estates in such sub-urban and rural communities as Agbowa- Ikosi, Ado, Imota, Oke-Eletu and Ibeju, among others.

To actualise the goal, an inter-ministerial committee was set up by the governor to consider the proposals by the developers.

The committee for appraisal of the PPP proposals comprised officials from the Ministries of Finance, Housing, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Justice, Lands and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).

But in addition to the projects contracted to developers, the state Housing Ministry is also executing some projects by direct labour.

Among these are: the Oke Eletu Housing scheme and the once abandoned 30 blocks of flats in Ajah.

The ministry is also involved in renovation some government estates, namely the Lekki Scheme 11, Oba Adeyinka Oyekan Housing Estate, Lekki 1, Abraham Adesanya Housing Estate Ajah, Gbagada 'Millennium Housing Estate' and Amuwo Odofin Millennium Housing Estate.

Work under the exercise would include redecoration of perimeter wall fence, drainage and road repairs, painting of gatehouse and landscaping.

Besides, the ministry has concluded the process for the issuance of deeds of sub-lease titles for the properties.

^^ Glad to hear this, but I was hoping this was going to be a low cost housing scheme because this is where housing remains insufficient in Lagos.

10 contracting firms jostle for new Lagos – Badagry 10 lane carriageway



Ten construction firms have lined up in a bid to win the award of the contract for the reconstruction of the present Lagos – Badagry expressway to a 10 - lane dual carriageway with light rail public transport on the median and a bus rapid transit system that will transform the road to a super highway.

The Special Adviser to the governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson, disclosed this during the public opening of bids for the project. The bids were opened in the presence of all contractors that bidded for the reconstruction of the road.

According to him, the Babatunde Fashola administration had exhibited a great deal of transparency in governance while also following due process in the execution of the project which is the hall mark of the administration.

The reconstruction of the 48 years old Lagos – Badagry expressway had earlier been muted by the government early this year when the State government indicated its interest to reconstruct it by calling for bids from eligible and qualified construction firms.

The scope of the work on the reconstruction of the 60.27 km road project shows that the whole stretch is divided into three sections. Giving the breakdown, Johnson said that the road had been divided into section made up of the Eastern section of the road, which has a distance of 7.20km. This section commences from Eric Moore -Mile 2, while section 2 consisst of the Central Section, which has a distance of 24.5km and commences from Mile 2 - Agbara, while the Western Section is 28.57km long which Commences from Agbara- Badagry.

Among the 10 companies that bidded for the construction of the dual carriageway are; Chinese Construction Engineering Company (CCECC), Arab Contractors, PW Nig Ltd, Hi-tech Construction Company Ltd, Moreno Marina Lagoon, Key – Based Ventures, Lekon Engineering Service Ltd, Ugur-B-AS Construction Ltd and Sanju-Sunny Nig Ltd.

A breakdown of the lots, according to Engr.Ganiyu Johnson showed that Chinese Construction Engineering Company (CCECC) indicated interest to construct – Mile 2- Agbara and Agbara-Badagry while Arab Contractors Nig Ltd bided for Eric Moore -Mile 2 - Agbara- Badagry.

On the other hand, P.W Nig Ltd bidded for Eric Moore – Mile 2 just as Salini Nig Ltd indicated interest for Eric Moore –Mile 2- Agbara- Badagry. CGGC Global Project Nig Ltd also bided for Mile 2 – Agbara – Badagry. Hi- tech Construction Ltd – Eric Moore has interest for the Mile 2-Agbara –Badagry section.

Others include Moreno – Marina Lagoon that bided for Eric Moore –Mile 2-Agbara – Badagry section, Key – Based Ventures bided for Eric Moore –Mile 2 section while Lekon Engineering Service Ltd bided for Mile 2- Agbara – Badagry section and Ugur B-AS Construction Ltd bided for the whole stretch from Eric Moore –Mile 2 – Agbara- Badagry.

Engr. Johnson stated that that all the bids will now be appraised by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and Advanced Engineering Construction Company which is the State Government consultant.

He explained that the project is a great engineering challenge to the State Government especially in its desire to provide an enduring infrastructure that will meet the Mega city status of the State.

Similarly, the Chairman of the State Tenders Board who is also the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Rotimi Oyekan expressed the strong desire of the State Government to achieve this great feat, which will no doubt open up the entire corridor to more investments for the State Government Prior to the public opening of the bids, the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has given those whose houses fall within the track of the right of way of the proposed road expansion to quit giving way for a demolition exercise that would commence soon. The quit notice would expire in December. The structures to be demolished extend from Orile through Coker, Mile Two, Ojo, Okokomaiko Ijanikin, Agbara till Badagry.

How much would such freeway cost in Nigeria?

Fashola returns ThisDay award

Governor Babatunde Fashola has returned the ThisDay Governor of the Year Award for distinction in infrastructure development conferred on him in February to the Leaders and Company, the organiser of the award.

Fillers from the governor’s office at Alausa yesterday said that the action came in the aftermath of the recent publication in ThisDay which was designed to force government to violate its physical planning laws to serve the interest of an individual.

According to a letter titled: “Return of award”, which was personally signed by Governor Fashola, the Thisday awards was a greek gift meant to tie the hands of the state’s helmsman.

The letter reads: “Little did I know, on receipt of the award, that it was a greek gift meant to do right to all manner of people according to law without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.”

He also restated his determination to continue to hold sacred the oath of office.

The governor further declared in the letter that “Let me emphasised that on no condition will I depart from my binding commitment to protect the best interest of Lagos State at all times.”

It will be recalled that the Lagos State Government has stoutly defended its integrity pointing out that recent publications of THISDAY newspaper casting aspersion on his character were borne out of malice, mischief and parochial self-interest.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, said the state government strictly follows due process and transparency in the award of all contracts.

According to him, “Hi-tech is a highly reputable and reliable construction company that has handled projects of very high standard in Lagos State and at costs that are even lower than the rates used by the Federal Government”.

The commissioner cited some of the jobs satisfactorily handled by Hi-tech to include the reconstruction of Saka Tinubu Street, Victoria Island, which has a very difficult terrain, construction of Adetokunbo Ademola road, rehabilitation of the bridge to Aboyade Cole, rehabilitation and expansion of Bishop Oluwole road and the ongoing reclamation, stabilisation and transformation of the Bar Beach.

Mr. Bamidele regretted that THIS DAY misled its readers on the cause of the Ijegun Pipeline fire disaster when the National Assembly in a resolution had asked the NNPC to pay compensation to the victims of the fire for not properly burying and encasing their pipelines and properly identifying their setbacks for pipelines.

In the same vein, he explained that the Lekki Infrastructure project, involving the Lekki Concession Company, is a heavy direct private sector investment in the country and it is thus not the business of the Lagos state government to select the contractor.

“All Nigerians can bear witness today to the high quality of work done so far on the first two kilometers of the Lekki – Epe Expressway already delivered by the Concessionares” the commissioner said.

He equally dismissed claims that the cost of projects in Lagos State are shrouded in secrecy stressing that “details of our project costs can be found in our budgetary breakdown and in several publications of the government, which are in the public domain. There is absolutely no reason for a government that is doing so much that is visible to hide the cost of its undeniable achievements”.

The commissioner said further that the Lagos State government has no business dealings with any individual or corporate organization indicted for violating any known laws of the country and does not intend to do so.



Fashola returns ThisDay award (http://www.newage-online.com/news/article06)

Roads Project cost much in Nigeria than most places around the world. Is it that the whole materials use in the construction are imported?

i think its because of their geography, mainly in the niger delta. were there are many creeks, rivers and islands. Most of the highways down their are mostly made of bridges that paved surface road.

Fashola Commissions Bar Beach Restoration Phase II

Lagos state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, this morning, commissioned the second phase of the restoration of the Lagos Bar beach.

Speaking at the event, Fashola said the second phase included extending the beach shoreline by 500 metres. The first phase of the protection work, which was commissioned in April 2007, was 1,000 metres. The work extended along the beach front, commencing just beyond the IMB building in a western direction and terminating at the Akwa Ibom state liaison office complex.

The governor said other areas that were not protected during the first phase of the project were eroded when a violent storm hit Victoria Island, two years ago.

“It was at this point that we came to the realisation that there was need to extend the system by 500 metres, from where it was stopped; that is, a few metres after Ademola Adetokunbo Street junction.

“Furthermore, the turning of the sod of the Eko Atlantic City project in April 2008, was a classical example of the government policy thrust of fast-tracking infrastructure development of the state through public-private partnership participation”.

Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Prince Adesegun Oniru, who was also at the event, said the extension of the beach by 500 metres would lead to the commencement of work on the Eko Atlantic City.

The project is the first phase of the series of innovations that would permanently arrest the ocean surge. It would also bring back the glory of the Lagos Bar beach as a tourist haven. Ultimately the shoreline would be pushed back to a distance of about 1.5km away from the present location and at the end of the day, culminate in the Eko Atlantic City, a city almost one and a half times the size of the present Victoria Island.

Fashola Presents Bountiful Christmas Present To All Lagosians

Dec 18, 2008 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Thursday gave a bountiful Christmas present to all residents of Lagos by commissioning four different projects in Victoria Island that would impact positively on the well being of the people.

The Governor commissioned the second phase of the Bar Beach reclamation project, the Clover Leaf Park on Ozumba Mbadiwe road, which was renamed Muri Okunola Park, as well as the handing over of the Adetokunboh Ademola street before unveiling the City link boats of City Link Transit group at Tarzan Jetty in Badore.

In the Governor’s view, “there is no better gift that the people of Lagos can get today than the commissioning of the four separate projects on a single day for the benefit of the people”.

According to the Governor, the commissioning of the Muri Okunola Park is an affirmation of the capacity of the state to redeem its environment and significantly enhance its value where peace, calmness and tranquility reigns.

Governor Fashola said Lagos can provide a destination point of best practices which can be emulated by people from other geographical representations, adding that this is already happening with legislators from Namibia coming to understudy the legislative process in Lagos State.

Governor Fashola added that the immortalization of late Justice Muri Okunola is an demonstration of the determination to ensure that the heroic deeds of past selfless leaders are not in vain.

The Governor tasked residents of Adetokunbo Ademola to the watchful and ensure that the new road which he has just handed over is not damaged through indiscriminate cutting.

He added that the road has been provided with transverse service ducts, saying the people owe it a duty to challenge whoever they observe trying to cut the road and seek the government’s permission from such a person.

He added that one of the approach adopted by his administration in the provision of social amenities was to reach out to corporate social organizations to partner with the state in the provision

The Lagos State helmsman said the construction of the Adetokunbo Ademola Road was carried out as a Public Private Partnership initiative between the State Government and Eko Hotels at a funding rate of 70:30 percent ratio.

The Governor reiterated that the people are already reaping the benefits of wise investment of public funds with the provision of sidewalks which allows pedestrians to move as well as provide high capacity space for vehicles.

Governor Fashola said the state has also embraced the strategy of engaging private investors who are desirous of putting their money into infrastructure development in the state with the purpose of reaping profit saying the progress made on Ozumba Mbadiwe is a testimony to the possibilities.

He challenged other companies to show concern for their immediate environment by partnering with the state to rehabilitate streets such as Ologun Agbeje, Agoro Odiyan, Akin Olugbade, Bishop Aboyade Cole to mention a few yearning for attention in Victoria Island

“All our projects are designed to ensure that the economic benefit is yours. It is only about you the people. There is no more time to engage in talking but now is the time to engage in action. Our government can lead the way if you support us in the quest at all times”.

While commissioning the new marine boats of City links, Governor Fashola appealed to the Federal Government to release all federal jetties in the state to it for operation and benefit of Lagosians since the jetties are not being put to full use presently.

Governor Fashola added that a new economy is opening up in the boat manufacturing sector which could be utilized to lead the economy and create thousands of jobs as the present initiative of City link would soon be followed up by other concessionaires.

He said engaging the water as a means of transportation was a promise which he made during his campaign and that he feels fulfilled as the state expects City links to deploy about 100 boats on the water ways very soon in addition to another concessionaires who is expected to come out with 40 boats next year.

Governor Fashola recalled that the Muri Okunola Park which used to be an eyesore as a refuse dump has now provided job opportunities for many miscreants who hitherto were landlords on the site to become good boys.

He said similarly, the planting of trees and grasses in the new park would help control erosion, promising that more of such parks would be developed in open spaces across the state that have been turned into other uses by individuals and corporate organizations.

The Commissioner for Environment, Dr Muiz Banire also expressed appreciation to Governor Fashola for graciously approving the usage of the site land beside the garden being used for construction work as a parking lot for patrons of the garden.

LASG NAMES FOURTH MAINLAND BRIDGE AMONG PRIORITY PROJECTS

http://www.lasgworks.com/images/psp_road.jpg
The completion of the 540 megawatts second phase of the Lagos Power Project(LPP), and the construction of 13 strategic roads, including the proposed 26 kilometres Fourth Mainland Bridge have been set as some of the key projects to be executed by the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

Engr. Rauf Aregbesola, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure dropped the hint while listing the priorities of the new administration. He said “Government would not rest on its oars until all the nooks and crannies of the state are provided with public utilities.

According to the commissioner, the construction of the 26-kilometre Fourth Mainland Bridge, 1.5 kilometre Osborne/Lekki Phase I Bridge, Mende/Opebi Bridge, 3 kilometre Ajao Estate/Ejigbo Bridge and the completion of the 540 megawatts Lagos Power Project (LPP) are among the priorities of the Government.

He said that the Fourth Mainland Bridge will commence from Langbasa in Likki, Eti-Osa Local Government and would link Victoria Island to Ipakodo, a Lagos suburb in the Ikorodu Local Government and will provide access from the hinterland to Victoria Island which will reduce traffic on the ever bussy Third Mainland Bridge and other bridges linking the Mainland to the Island. This is designed to be funded on a builder financier basis.

The Osborne/Lekki Phase I Bridge, according to Engr. Aregbesola, is to link Ikoyi with the Peninsular and it is meant to ease traffic on Ozumba Mbadiwe Road and create a shorter route between Victoria Island and Ikoyi.

Also, the Ajao Estate/Ejigbo Bridge is to create a shorter link for motorists between the two communities in the Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area, without commuters having to pass through Isolo or Iyana-Ipaja/Idimu routes.

In the same view, the Mende/Opebi Bridge in the Ikeja Local Government is to reduce the volume of traffic on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way and also provide free access from Maryland to Allen Avenue.

He concluded that the phase II of LPP, which is billed to be established at Marogbo near Agbara Industrial Estate in the Ojo Local Government, is expected to generate and inject 540 megawatts of electricity into the National Grid through the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) distribution network.

CITYLINK TARGETS 100 BOATS IN 2009


C ITYLINK Marine Limited, a newly inaugurated water transport firm, is to increase its fleet of operational ferries to 100 in 2009.

Our correspondent gathered from the Chairman of the firm, Alhaji Tunde Yusuf, that Citylink currently had 25 boats in its fleet and was continuing aggressive work on the building of more boats to ensure that it reached its target of 100 before the end of the 2009.

He explained that the aim of the firm was to not only to improve transportation in the country, but also to create wealth locally.

He said this informed the reason why the boats had been contracted out to local firms to build.

Citylink Marine Transport services was inaugurated on Friday by Governor, Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, in an event that saw the governor take a boat ride from the Civic Centre in Victoria Island to a jetty in Badore, a town along the Lagos–Epe highway.

The governor said the country had a lot of untapped potential in marine transportation and related services.

He noted that in some countries, their economies thrived entirely on marine life and wondered why Nigeria could not do same given the mass of water it had.

He said that the decision to partner with Citylink, a private firm, was purely coincidental and dated back to the days when he was campaigning to become a governor.

Fashola said he had promised to build jetties and was looking for firms that would operate marine transport, adding that when Citylink Marine eventually came, he was very happy with its idea as it fitted perfectly into his plans for Lagos.

Yusuf said the fir m thought it necessary to assist the state government in reducing the untold hardship commuters and car owners facing as a result of congestion on the roads.

Fashola appealed for the handover of all jetties under control of the Federal Government but, which were lying fallow to the state government so that it could put them to proper use and for the benefits of the masses.

He noted that putting such facilities in to proper use would help ease the transportation pains in Lagos.

Citylink Marine Limited is a member of the Citylink Group and was incorporated in 2007 as a water ferry company primarily dedicated to Lagos State marine transportation.

In order to properly launch the company’s services, Citylink Marine Limited is seeking to raise N2.7bn via a private placement of 49.0 per cent of shareholders’ equity.

The inauguration marks the commencement of commercial services by Citylink.

The firm had before now been running a pilot in which it had been ferrying staff of some companies on contract basis.

What are actually the size of the boats?

What are actually the size of the boats?

From what I saw in one pic, they aren't really all that big. About the size of your average mid-size Yacht.

http://www.tundefashola.com/archives/photos/2008/12/18/20081218L19B.jpg

http://www.tundefashola.com/archives/photos/2008/12/18/20081218L12.jpg

http://www.tundefashola.com/archives/photos/2008/12/18/20081218L19C.jpg

http://www.tundefashola.com/archives/photos/2008/12/18/20081218L18.jpg

http://www.tundefashola.com/archives/photos/2008/12/18/20081218L19.jpg

I am very much impressed by the work Fashola is doing!

Ad for bidders for the Lagos – Badagry 10 lane carriageway



http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/8094/badagryroadadxn4.jpg

Im salivating!

http://www.tundefashola.com/archives/photos/2008/12/18/20081218L19B.jpg

http://www.tundefashola.com/archives/photos/2008/12/18/20081218L12.jpg

http://www.tundefashola.com/archives/photos/2008/12/18/20081218L19C.jpg

http://www.tundefashola.com/archives/photos/2008/12/18/20081218L18.jpg

http://www.tundefashola.com/archives/photos/2008/12/18/20081218L19.jpg
I suggest using ferries than using this little boats. Ferries will be more ventilated, roomy and will carry more people at one time than those smaller ones.

plus theres not nearly enough boats to handle the traffic in lagos

Steady pace to mega city status


Lagos is considered to be one of the largest cities in the world and one of the most rapidly urbanising metropolitan areas in the world. Its population is estimated to be about 15 million.

According to the United Nations projections, Lagos‘ population will reach 20 million by 2010. Thus, by the UN standards, Lagos has attained the status of a mega city, having achieved a population of over 10 million.

Indeed, compared to other major cities of the world, it is one of the fast growing mega cities; easily the most populous city in Africa and its population far exceeds the entire population of some countries. By 2015, Lagos is projected to be the third mega city in the world.

Regrettably, the infrastructural facilities in place have not been able to march the city‘s population explosion. They have virtually collapsed where they existed and in certain instances, almost non-existent. To mention the depth of the inadequacies, many roads in the state have gone bad, the mass housing policy of successive governments, save for the Lateef Jakande administration between 1979 and 1983, has proved ineffective, public schools are collapsing, while the attainment of health for all by 2015 appeared to be a mirage.

Unfortunately, too, there is mass unemployment among the youths, thereby giving rise to insecurity and rising crime wave in the state.

Efforts by the successive governments to rebuild the city are not too remarkable. However, the Babatunde Fashola administration‘s vision to implement the new Lagos mega city project has demonstrated the state government‘s commitment to transform the state into a mega city status. In a bid to achieve this, several hurdles must be surmounted.

The first of these hurdles is road construction and rehabilitation in the state. It is beyond debate that the major highways and roads are in deplorable condition.

Commuting from one part of the state to another is becoming a nightmare. Evidently, motorists and commuters often waste several man-hours in traffic daily and the situation is worsened by the inadequacy or absence of link roads in all the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas of the state.

Though the state government claimed that it had embarked on aggressive road construction projects and upgrading of some roads, such as the Lekki-Epe highway and Ajah-Badore road under the Lagos infrastructure project, the attendant traffic gridlocks in other major parts are far from being addressed.

Against this backdrop, the interventionist approach of some commercial banks, which collaborated with the state government to rehabilitate some strategic roads in the state to enhance economic and commercial activities, is worth commending.

Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, for instance, was upgraded by a new generation bank that also carried out beautification of the median as a demonstration of its corporate social responsibility.

The state government, too, has embarked on aggressive greening and beautification of open spaces, decrepit loops, verges and medians under its ‘Operation Green Lagos‘ programme.

Be that as it may, the state government has a responsibility to open up more coastal and link roads to ease the pressure on the existing highways. It also owes a duty to ensure the local government councils rehabilitate the roads in their localities.

As for public transportation and traffic management, the system is chaotic, as it daily haul about six million passengers between the mainland and the island in about 75,000 unregulated mini-buses. In essence, movement is mainly either by private cars or by buses.

According to a publication of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, nationally, there are 11 vehicles to every kilometre of road, whereas in Lagos there are 222 vehicles to every kilometre.

Unfortunately, these vehicles now constitute the greater cause of congestion on Lagos roads.

In response to this challenge, the state government rolled out 100 high capacity ‘Blue buses‘ and 26 ‘Red buses‘ on March 17, 2008, signalling the inauguration of the Bus Rapid Transit system, conceived as the precursor of the Lagos Urban Transport project.

Indiscriminate waste disposal is another serious challenge threatening the image of the state. It is no exaggeration that Lagos has huge waste disposal problem. The city generates about 9,000 metric tonnes of wastes daily and its major highways and streets are littered with dirt. Hence, the blockage of the drains is often partly responsible for the severe flooding being faced by some parts of the state in recent years.

To combat this problem, the state government outlawed waste cart pushers, criminalised indiscriminate disposal of wastes and inaugurated some firms as Private Scheme Programme waste collectors.

Events in recent times have, however, shown that the PSP waste collectors could not effectively manage wastes in the state without the involvement of the environmental unit of the local councils and other stakeholders.

Despite the state government‘s investment in the health sector, the health care delivery in the state has not make much impact on the people. This has been attributed to the increasing numbers of patients seeking medical attention in the government hospitals. This, of course, is having a bearing effect on the facilities in the public hospitals, which have been overstretched.

Coupled with this is the seeming neglect of the primary and secondary health care. As a result, the tertiary health institutions such as the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital could not cope with the influx of patients daily.

A worrisome aspect of life in the state is the lack of potable water supply. The notable water works in all parts of Lagos are almost in moribund state.

The 2006 World Bank-assisted Lagos State household survey revealed that about 48 per cent of the households patronise water vendors as their alternative source of water supply.

In response to this, the state government in its publication on Babatunde Fashola‘s 300 days in office claimed that it had empowered the Lagos Water Corporation to construct a 12.5MW independent power plant at Akute to increase the public water supply.

Besides, it claimed that five micro-water works, including the 4.4 million-litre Ijora-Badiya facility had been completed and water network expansion undertaken at Iwaya, Ojo, Oworonshoki, Igando and Otto-Awori.

Despite all these claims, access to public water in the state, which is one of the cardinal points of the Millennium Development Goals, is far from being realised.

The housing policy of the state government has made it difficult for an average Lagos resident to acquire a flat in any of the state government‘s estates. Right from the inception of the democratic dispensation in 1999, it appears there is a deliberate state policy to phase out the construction of low-cost housing units in the state.

Though the state government claimed that it had institutionalised a N40bn state mortgage scheme in partnership with five banks to provide affordable houses for low and medium income earners over a 25-year period at a maximum interest rate of 10 per cent, no resident has actually come forward to lay credit to benefitting from the scheme.

Similarly, the cost of flats in millennium housing estates and the estates owed by corporate estate firms is far beyond what civil servants, workers and retirees in the state can afford.

Of course, it is necessary for the state government to build more markets so as to dislodge street and roadside traders.

The state administration should realise that not all traders can pay for a space at new Balogun, Tejuosho, Oyingbo and Alade markets. Therefore, new markets should be developed before task force officials are deployed to seize goods from the poor street or rail line traders.

Lack of energy and regular power supply has proved to be not only a national disgrace but also a threat to industrial growth and development in the state.

However, the state government has rated itself high in coping with this task. Hence, it claimed it had put in place a new energy plan, which among others, included the provision of N150m rural electrification scheme and the stimulation of N180bn private power investment in the Lagos energy city Project in Badagry.

Lagosians eagerly look forward to the success of this project in the new year.

punchng.com (http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art200812313301821)

Lagos - 2008 in Retrospect

Lagos, with a population estimated at 18 million people, no doubt, has recorded its highs and lows since the beginning of the year 2008. Due to its strategic location as the nation's commercial nerve centre, many see it as the rightful place for the actualisation of various dreams.

This explains the ceaseless influx of the people into the state. Those who are yet to come into the state see the streets of Lagos being paved with gold. Those that fall within this category are mistaken because those who are already here now know better. This is not to say that Lagos is not rosy for some, as can be seen from exotic houses and cars that cruise around the city, the same way the ubiquitous monsters in the name of areas boys and armed robbers ply their trades in reckless abandon.

Fire disasters made their mark, while many houses crumbled leaving in their trail sorrow, tears and blood. In fact, the biggest 'crumbling' was the leveling of the 'Pride of Broad Street', the edifice called NIBD Building, which was watched live by Governor Babatunde Fashola himself. Ijegun witnessed pipeline explosion that claimed many lives, while residents around Fadeyi are still living with the scars of a truck laden with explosive consignments, which caught fire and ravaged the area.

Notwithstanding the harrowing experience particularly in the outgoing year, the Lagos State Government in the year made some giant strides at making the state assume the status of a mega city. Some of such efforts included demolitions of illegal structures, the action that was perceived as impacting negatively on the people by some who saw nothing good in transforming Lagos into a society befitting decent people, even though the state government continually assured that such discomforts should be endured in the overall interest of the citizenry.

On the issue of security, the state government with the establishment of Security Trust Fund made various donations both in cash and equipment to the State Police Command.

The need for collaboration between government agencies, police and the community in the present police personnel population ratio of 1 to 400 is equally paramount for well-meaning Lagosians in particular and Nigerians in general, especially with the various bank robberies that the state witnessed during the year under review.

"Lagos State has assumed a mega city status with the attendant problems of infrastructure management and other socio-cultural indices. The time has come when we have to objectively review our crime fighting strategies from reactive, incident-driven to a pro-active problem solving approach. The police, community and government agencies have to collaborate to identify and solve neighbourhood crime problems rather than simply pay lip service to this all important issue," Governor Babatunde Fashola had said at an interactive session with security stakeholders.

In the transportation sector, there was a major leap in March, 2008 when the much-awaited Lagos State Mega Transport System known as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) officially took off with the launch of 126 buses by Governor Fashola.

The launch, which took place at Ojota Motor Park along Ikorodu Road, was colourful, as it raised high hopes about solving the erratic traffic snarl in the state.

But numbers of the buses, which were painted red and blue, have since been increased. They cover Ikorodu Road -- Mile 12 through Onipanu to the National Stadium route and terminates at the TBS, among others.

The project, which was conceived during the immediate past administration of Governor Bola Tinubu, was brought to fruition through Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative. The state government committed N4.5billion to put in place infrastructure, which includes physical demarcation of Ikorodu Road, three terminals, 26 bus shelters, bus depot that can store over 100 high-capacity buses, fencing of sections of the road (to discourage people from the BRT lane and promoting the use of pedestrian bridges).

There was also provision for generating sets to power streetlights at night, lane marking and reflective traffic signs.

However, instead of marking out the BRT lane with yellow paint, it was demarcated with concrete slabs and this made it impossible for other vehicles to use it. This had generated outcry from motorists. According to the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the agency supervised the project after the provision of the infrastructure while the private sector provided the rolling stock.

The two operators are LAGBUS Asset Management Company and a cooperative of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

There was also the facilitation of a privately run taxi scheme when the Lagos State government issued licences for private organisations to operate taxis. A prominent taxi company is the Corporate Cabs Services. The plan, it was gathered, was to ease transportation problems in the state.

Another area where the impact is glaring is that of the environment where parts of the state now wear green. To transform the state from that of neglect and degradation to an aesthetically appealing and friendly society with its beautification programme, Fashola also officially launched the maiden edition of the 2008 Annual Tree Planting Campaign where people were urged to develop the habit of tree planting.

Among places where the beautification projects have taken place include MKO Abiola Gardens Estate, Ketu-Ojota interchange, the triangular lay-by between Palm Grove and Obanikoro, Adeniji-Adele along the Third Mainland Bridge, Sura Simpson area between King George IV on the Marina and Apongbon Bridge and the Ikeja GRA.

In these areas, there were massive demolitions of illegal structures, where many of the victims are still counting their losses.

There was also various drainage clearing projects embarked upon to deflood the state.

In the area of waste management, the government also launched 50 compactor trucks to boost Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to boost its efforts at combating refuse disposal. The compactor trucks are part of the 100 promised by the state government to complement the existing ones before the end of 2008.

The introduction of the Eko Meat Vans for the transportation of meat from abattoirs to their destinations is a landmark achievement of the state government. And in a bid to curb the unwholesome practice of using rickety vehicles and motorcycles to transport meat, the state government commissioned about 40 vehicles to transport beef from the abattoirs to various markets in the city.

The government also carried out various road reconstructions and rehabilitations. No fewer than 177 roads across the 57 local councils were constructed or rehabilitated in 2008.

It was in 2008 that the government issued a directive that every major road construction works executed must henceforth include the provision of a walk-way, service ducts, streetlight, traffic lights as well as an alternative source of energy to power the streetlights.

Construction of the Itire-Okota link bridge is a major work that commenced in the year. Pedestrian bridges were turned around while modern foot bridges with roofs were constructed to provide shelter for their users in times of adverse weather conditions.

In April, 2008, the Eko Atlantic City project was launched by the state government.

The city is to be built on the Atlantic Ocean by Energyx Nigeria Limited. This foreign company will provide $3.5 billion needed for the project and later recoup its investment over time.

The Eko Atlantic City Project is meant to be carried out in three phases. The first phase was handled last year by Hitech Construction Company. It was the reclamation of 1,500 metres of the shoreline of the Bar Beach to prevent the perennial ocean surge.


The second phase was commissioned two weeks ago. For this phase, another 500 metres of the shoreline was reclaimed.

The Lagos State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development embarked on the rehabilitation of street beggars and the insane. Observers said efforts in this area must be intensified in the New Year.

Efforts were also made to bring sanity into the educational sector with a clampdown on illegal schools in the state. There were also free textbook

Read Here (http://www.independentngonline.com/news/metr/article01)

The Lagos State Government has scheduled more illegal structures erected around various markets in the state for demolition in its ongoing exercise of clearing the state of all environmental nuisances.
Chairman of the state Environmental Task Force, Bayo Sulaimon, a Superintendent of Police (SUPOL) disclosed this to newsmen yesterday while conducting an on the spot assessment of the work done so far at Oshodi.

According to Sulaimon, Governor Babatunde Fashola of the state has given his go ahead to move to all other identified places especially markets where illegal structures were constructed.

He said the task force has listed a number of markets for immediate demolition adding that such markets include. Ikotun, in Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA) Ojuwoye Market in Mushin LGA, Abule Egba Market in Agbado –Oke Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) , Lagos Island among others.

His words: “In the next two weeks, we (task force) move to Ikotun, Ojuwoye, Abule Egba and other areas which have been slated for immediate demolition of illegal structures. We have sent warning notices to those affected traders and we are going to move in any minute from now. We started from Oshodi Market to send a strong signal to other affected areas of government’s seriousness in sanitizing its environment.

“Enough of indiscipline in this state, the task force would not spare anyone in this exercise, there is no scared cow, the state environmental law must be enforced to the latter. Though the task is difficult, our efforts to sanitise Lagos would be total.

After demolition of all these illegal structures our men would put on ground permanently to ensure that the displaced traders does not return”.

Special Adviser on Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa also commenting the demolition site explained that the essence of the exercise was to provide safe and secured environment around the area as well as provide alternative routes for already choked roads such as, Ikorodu road Western Avenue , now Funsho Williams Avenue, Airport among others.

Opeifa assured that the state government would sustain the new face of Oshodi to meet its mega city status.

He explained that the exercise would allow free flow of traffic as the Agege Motor Road would be available to motorists thereby leading to decongestion of the Ikorodu express way.

Opeifa disclosed that the demolished area would be converted into motor- parks and fenced off through the use of wire mesh away from the road with standard setback adding that it is in the interest of the general publics as it would enhance security in the area as well as improve human and vehicular movements.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/content/view/25731/46/

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This is sure evidence that they want to start work on those rail lines

True talk ^^

:)

i cant wait to see it cleaned up.

Jan 6, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), on Tuesday commissioned the Bola Tinubu (BT) Pediatric Complex and BT Health and Diagnostic Centre at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH)l, Ikeja, with a vow that his administration would stop the tradition of exporting people to foreign countries for medical attention.

Governor Fashola told jubilant Lagosians at the occasion that when the transformation of the State’s Healthcare services was completed, especially, the completion of the various childcare specialist centres and specialist renal care hospital in Gbagada, it would no longer be necessary to export people to Britain, America or India to seek cure for such diseases.

“When work is completed on the various childcare specialist centres and specialist renal care hospital in Gbagada, Lagos, we will eliminate infant mortality and stop exporting people to India for renal attention as the state will become the health and economic headquarters of the Sub region”, the Governor said.

Governor Fashola reiterated that the commissioning of the two facilities was a fulfillment of the promise made by his administration that while it would sustain its curative healthcare capacity; it would also focus on preventive healthcare.

He emphasized; “You cannot prevent diseases if you cannot foresee them happening. You cannot cure ailment if you do not know what the problem is”, adding that it would also provide additional diagnostic capacity to the state medical workforce and through it deal another deadly blow to infant mortality in the state while fulfilling one of the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

Governor Fashola reiterated that his administration would provide enduring facilities and services for the people of Lagos, pointing out that this represents the least they deserve for entrusting him with their mandate. According to him, “the effectiveness of the provision of infrastructure in the State can be testified by what is being experienced in the judiciary where an improvement in the courts has made practitioners more comfortable and productive”.

Appealing to striking doctors agitating for improved conditions in the state to end their strike action, Governor Fashola enjoined them to count the cost of such action which he said could be irredeemable, adding, “I will not be able to live with my conscience if any patient dies as result of this strike”.

In his words: “We can pay back money, we can pay back arrears and we can provide cars but will not be able to give off life of anyone. I am sure this represents one of the fundamental principles of the Hippocratic Oath which you all swore to.

”I am aware that each doctor and nurse attends to not less than 70 patients on a daily basis. I am also very mindful of the pressure because the Health commissioner has consistently briefed us on it. I know that the best place to start with the welfare package is the infrastructure provision”, the Governor said..

He explained that what needed to be considered by the healthcare workers was the totality of the welfare package, adding; “it should not just be the salary but should include housing and offices in which you work and the equipment to be used”.

“Our goal in the health sector is the welfare of all stakeholders such as the health workers and the patients. Our duty is to place the interest of the people above our personal interest”, the Governor said.

Governor Fashola also said the commitment of the state government to redeem its electoral promises to Lagosians remains unshakeable and unyielding, saying, “we remain committed not only because we want to be committed but because we are persuaded by the merit of that vision as encapsulated in the 10 point agenda of the state”.

“The 10 point agenda of this administration has been so carefully developed and arranged that everyone is important irrespective of the role he plays and it would be a great danger to attempt to alter I”, Governor Fashola said, adding that the 10 point agenda does not seek to paper crack or paint over problems but seeks to unravel problems and solve them in a methodical and progressive manner and making choices between very competing demands.

“Everybody is important, but we must start from one spot and move progressively to other spots. It requires us to choose between children and adults, between doctors and nurses, between teachers and nurses and maintaining roads and floods, assuring that there is a plan for everybody”, he stated.

In his address at the occasion, the former Governor of the State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the successes of Lagos State in the healthcare sector has made it a reference point resulting in the State becoming the envy of other states.

He congratulated Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) for the successful completion of the complex, restating that it has once again underscored the fact that he is the best man for the job

He called for patience on the part of the health care workers to understand that the state government is committed to improving their welfare at all times.

He said adequate health care remains the only basis through which a sound and vibrant economy can be felt by the ordinary people.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris said the one of its kind Diagnostic Centre is set to offer the citizenry of Lagos State, qualitative, comprehensive and up to date investigative services which surely will go a long way in the government’s quest for a healthy people.

He added that the 104 bed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Pediatric ward complex is at par with global standards for the enhancement of pediatric and family medicine care.

The ceremony was attended by foremost industrialist and Chancellor of the Lagos State University, Sir Molade Okoya Thomas, Chairman of the Oodua Investments, Chief Julius Adelusi- Adeluyi, the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, former Commissioners for Health and Environment, Dr Leke Pitan and Dr Tunji Bello and several editors of national newspapers and news managers of broadcast organizations who were special guests of the Governor at the occasion.

The Governor later undertook a guided tour of the two buildings which boasts of ultra modern equipments and facilities.

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Nice. Kudos to Fashola.

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Indeed, the governor has a huge task to face - the cleaning up of Lagos.

The governor still has a lot of work ahead of him. Governing Lagosians is probably one of the toughest jobs on earth. Just see the picture below to see the way Lagosians are obeying the new crash helmet law in the state. I have seen all types of helmets ever since including hard hats, calabashes, plastic bowls, etc but this particular one stands out as the award winner!!
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:lol:, but doesn't he have a purple helmet by his handle bars?

:lol:, but doesn't he have a purple helmet by his handle bars?i think that's is message dont wanna obey the rule.

he should have gave that helmet to the passenger.

i think that's is message dont wanna obey the rule.
Not really! From my point of view possibly he's going to carry more than one passenger on the way. Just my observation nothing more!

Nigerians are the problem of Nigeria....just imagine someone trading his own safety for a joke and the dumb passenger sat on the bike. Looking at him tells me he is from the Northern Part of Nigeria, if am not mistaking......reckless riders.

Not really! From my point of view possibly he's going to carry more than one passenger on the way. Just my observation nothing more!

Well even if that's the case the point of that he simply doesn't want to obey the rules still holds true. It's illegal to ride with more than 1 passenger at a time on your bike.

^^ @ Sammyjay,
Excellent stereotyping, and your point is?

^^ @ Sammyjay,
Excellent stereotyping, and your point is?

He wasn't stereotyping, he was simply telling the truth, in which many simply can't handle.

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I am impressed, they cleared one of the worst places in Lagos. Things can only get better from now at Oshodi.

^^ @ Sammyjay,
Excellent stereotyping, and your point is?

This is what you want me to say right ''bad Nigerians are the problem of Nigeria.... or you want me to say People are the problem of Nigeria?''

Lets face the fact here......''Nigerians are the problem of Nigeria''.

Two Nigerians are completely flaunting the law here, the rider is defying the law and the passenger, knowing fully well that the rider is lawless boarded the bike as well.

I am impressed, they cleared one of the worst places in Lagos. Things can only get better from now at Oshodi.

i dont think its cleared yet

He wasn't stereotyping, he was simply telling the truth, in which many simply can't handle.
Not holding brief for allhavoc, but I believe that he was more concerned with the stereotyping of Northerners as reckless drivers, in which case I share his concern since my personal experience is that Nigerians from all parts of the country tend to equally reckless drivers.

This is what you want me to say right ''bad Nigerians are the problem of Nigeria.... or you want me to say People are the problem of Nigeria?''

Lets face the fact here......''Nigerians are the problem of Nigeria''.

Two Nigerians are completely flaunting the law here, the rider is defying the law and the passenger, knowing fully well that the rider is lawless boarded the bike as well.

^^ Thanks jobless beggar (btw you wouldn't happen to come from the north, with a name like that (sic)). Nigerians from all parts of the country, myself included, are equally just as likely to flaunt the law. Please let us avoid introducing ethnicity and tribalism to issues that do not warrant such.

I will not be forced into arguments with Allhavoc or Joblessbeggar; nevertheless, I still stand on what I said that ''Nigerians are the primary problems of Nigeria''

No matter what you write after this, I am not gonna respond.

I will not be forced into arguments with Allhavoc or Joblessbeggar; nevertheless, I still stand on what I said that ''Nigerians are the primary problems of Nigeria''

No matter what you write after this, I am not gonna respond.
My brother, no need to get your panties in a twist. It is clear that allhavoc (and myself) agree that Nigerians are the primary problems of Nigeria, but are disturbed only with the singling out of Northerners. It's all good though.

NEW SECURITY CAMERAS FOR LAGOS

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Fash has done it again!!!....what an innovation!

Four Contractors to Rehabilitate Ikorodu Road

REHABILITATION work on the service lanes of Ikorodu Road will commence this week as the Lagos State Government has named four contractors to do the work.

A section of the over 30 year-old road, which connects Mainland Lagos with the Island, is currently being used as a model BRT route.

The rehabilitation, according to a statement by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, will cover about 26 kilometres from Mile 12 to Jibowu under-bridge, which has been divided into four lots, each to be handled by a contractor.

Construction activities, the statement added, would last 16 weeks.

The appointed contractors include Lopek Engineering and Construction Company, Brecco Nigeria Limited, RCF Nigeria Limited and Ratcon Construction Company.

Specifically, the statement said that Lopek would handle the 7.4-kilometre stretch from Mile 12 to IdiIroko area of the road, while Brecco would handle the remaining 5.4 kilometre stretch to Jibowu.

The statement added that the Jibowu-Idi-Iroko portion of the road would be handled by RCF, while Ratcon Construction Company would work on the Idi-Iroko-Mile 12 stretch.

The Managing Director, LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, also said the repair work would focus on total resurfacing of the entire stretch and full depth reconstruction of bad spots.

"This involves removing the existing worn surfacing course and re-surface, and in addition, total depth reconstruction of the sections with failed base," he said.

The LAMATA boss said that the work would also include drain repairs and reconstruction where they had collapsed as well as clearing of all blocked drains.

He said, "The state government wants to ensure that Lagosians have smooth and pleasurable drive on Ikorodu Road.

"Most importantly, the government wants to ensure that the perennial flooding of Ikorodu Road during the rainy season becomes a thing of the past."

The work, he stressed, would be done at night, while only skeletal work would be done during the day.

Mobereola appealed to road users to be patient and observe all road signs during the construction period.

He, however, assured that adequate traffic management measures would be put in place, especially where there were construction activities.

click for video :

NEW LAGOS (http://myvideos.africast.tv/search/nigeria/1/7183954e-f796-4f10-8077-9ac7008d1f53.htm)

Old video (Posted June 2008 and i've seen it before)

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Excellent...That´s is what I want to see, more of it, please:cheers:

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Oshodi Transformation - Lagos to engage Julius Berger

Lagos State Government through its Inter- Ministerial Committee on Oshodi on Saturday declared that all issues connected to the relocation of traders from the area would be comprehensively addressed.
Speaking after a tour of the demolished illegal Oshodi market and its environs as well as the nearly completed modern Cairo market, members of the committee including the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele and his Environment counterpart, Dr. Muiz Banire and the Special Adviser on Transportation, Hon. Kayode Opeifa said all issues relating to environment, traffic management and control as well as security are being addressed by Government.
According to the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Bamidele the state is interested in resettling the Oshodi traders, adding that “as much as we needed to abate the mess and nuisance in Oshodi, we are also interested in resettlement and as much as possible whatever we have to do to cushion the effect of what we have done, we will work with the local government and the developer to do it”.
The Commissioner added that the visit to the Cairo market as part of the tour of Oshodi by the inter-ministerial committee is part of the exploratory visit that the team needs to make, adding that with the level of work already embarked upon, there is the need to talk seriously to the local government and the builder working with it on a Build, Operate and Transfer basis with respects to the options that are
available.

Bamidele explained that what happens next would depend on what is decided on at the various meetings which the state government is holding with the local government while also carrying the builder along.
He said this has become imperative because the Cairo market is a Private Public Partnership Project (PPP) which the state as one which is interested in relating with the private sector would not take for granted the interest of the private entities involved.
Also speaking, Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Muiz Banire said several options are available to the traders relocated from Oshodi depending on the affordability and the choice, adding that they could choose between an open market and a lock up shop.
Banire explained that for those who intend to engage in open trading, the state government still has a big open space at Berliet where all a trader needs to pay is just ticket toll to the local council every day.
He added that for those who choose to operate from lock up shops the state has provided mortgage schemes with the shops serving as collateral as well as micro finance schemes which any trader can access easily.
According to Banire, “In Lagos today, nobody has cause to complain that he cannot afford anything, because the mortgage and micro finance schemes are available for them. The issue is not about affordability but choice of which one to choose. The underlying word is that we are not displacing people but relocating them”.
“We make sure that before we embark upon any clearing exercise, we will provide alternatives for the people. Within Oshodi, apart from the Cairo market, we have five other ones which people can move into. Even Awolowo market in Mushin, it is still largely vacant, same for Berliet. They have enough to move into”, he added.
The Environment Commissioner also said what the state government is committed to is ensuring that all the illegal structures and trading posts within the Oshodi market which is breeding all manner of nefarious activities are stopped, so that the people can live well and be comfortable.
Banire added that right now, a lot is going on in Oshodi in terms of beautification as there are flood lights all over the area, such that the area is well-lit at night.
He informed that from the entire stretch from Cappa to the Airport, the street lights would soon come up as work has started, just as Julius Berger is addressing the expansion of the pedestrian bridge as well as construction of another one and a bus interchange and shelter.
The Commissioner told newsmen that serious beautification cannot start now, because the firms providing the street lights, Julius Berger and the Ministry of Transportation are engaging in a lot of trenching which would not permit beautification for now.
Also speaking, Special Adviser on Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa said the new Oshodi is a testimony that Lagos is determined to unlock all the gridlocks and dismantle all obstacles to free flow of traffic.

Chicken Market Demolished

Motorists who daily pass through Onipanu and residents of Shomolu have applauded the state government’s demolition of the fowl market at Onipanu.

They said that the market had always been controversial and they were surprised the traders abandoned their stalls at the two main markets in Somolu for the road side. They urged the state government not to allow the traders return to the place.

Mr. Taiwo Olakunle, a taxi driver said, “this is the best thing that has happened to this road in the last few years, no one ever believed that the chicken sellers can be banished from this place.

“We encountered a lot of problems when going in and coming out of the area. During festive periods, you can hardly move freely but with the demolition of the stalls, the journey in and out of Somolu is now smooth.

“I will advise the state government to ensure that place is properly monitored to stop them from coming back,” Taiwo said.

Another respondent who identified himself as Toba Olawale, a resident of Shomolu, thanked the state government for clearing the area. He also joined others in urging the government to ensure daily patrol of the area to forestall the return of the traders.

Checks by Lagos Bulletin revealed that most the traders have shops, stalls and kiosks at the Olaleye and Alade markets which they abandoned for the main road at Onipanu bus stop.

The New Lagos CBD

Over six million people work and live on Lagos Island. It is no surprise therefore that the Central Business District (CBD) is the nation’s foremost business enclave and because of the population, human and vehicular traffic and sanitation problems abound.

The CBD used to be home to touts, social miscreants, street urchins, ‘agberos’ and all manner of people, making life unbearable for those who want to do business. A visit to Idumota a year ago was a picture of gloom, chaos and frustration for a first timer, but the millions of people doing business there seemed content with the precarious environment.

Over a year ago, the Lagos State government, under the leadership of former governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, sank over N22 billion into revitalizing the CBD, turning it into a haven for business in the whole West African sub-region. Several industrial establishments and corporate organisations had deserted the area because of the stress of doing business there. This informed the need to revitalize the CBD and make it a toast of business in Africa.

The Lagos CBD comprises 22 roads and streets. Some of them are Broad Street, which houses the General Hospital, United States Information Service, the Central Bank and headquarters of many banks; Kakawa, which used to house the defunct Daily Times of Nigeria; Inner and Outer Marina, Balogun, Idumagbo, Adeniji Adele, Ereko, Martins Street, John Street, Campos and Idumota.

Traffic bottlenecks were rampant, most of the roads were blocked by traders, touts were having a field day, the popular Carter Bridge at Idumota was an eyesore as traders had converted the entire bridge into one large market, while commercial bus operators parked and picked passengers, right on the bridge.

Then, the Lagos CBD was synonymous with lawlessness and chaos. Criminals simply found the area habitable because of the large number of shanties where they could hide and carry out their nefarious activities.

The popular Oluwole area on the CBD used to be a haven of fraudsters, criminals, touts and the like until the Lagos State government, under Governor Babatunde Fashola, demolished it.

Today, petty and organised crimes have been reduced. Most of the ring leaders and perpetrators have either positively been engaged by the CBD or routed out by law enforcement agencies.

When City Update visited the Lagos CBD last week, it was a refreshing experience. From Idumota, the once chaotic Carter Bridge has been cleared. No single trader was seen on the bridge, sanity has returned to the area. This was a place where Lagosians had loathed for decades.

Hon. Oyinlomo Danmole is the Special Adviser to the Governor on CBD. He said: “Having realised that our efforts in ensuring free flow of traffic within CBD will amount to nothing if inward and outward posts are left unattended, we devised a strategy to create and maintain a substantial level of sanity at Idumota.

“We were determined to restore its age-long role as a major entry and exit points for traffic in and out of the Island to such part of Lagos as Surulere, Apapa, among others. This feat was achieved within two months of commencement of traffic management operation.”

At least, 400 CBD Corps were trained and deployed to the area to ensure sanity. They ensure that street traders on the main road were chased off to allow commercial vehicles, which until now load and off-load passengers and goods on the bridge, move down to Ereko Street to discharge passengers and thereafter, make a u-turn at the LSDPC House, to exit Lagos Island through Carter Bridge or the Third Mainland Bridge, through Adeniji Adele.

At Idumota, the historical the Clock Tower and Eyo cenotaph, which had been abandoned for long have today been given a face lift. The 74-year old Clock Tower was built in honour of King George IV by the Syrian and Lebanese community in Lagos.

City Update also observed that blocked streets such as Ereko, Idumagbo, John to Ebute Ero to Ejalonibu, Obun Eko to Dosunmu and Adeniji Adele foreshore have been opened up. Though, these streets are motorable, they had been rendered impassable for more than a decade by street traders. The opening up of these streets has further eased vehicular and human traffic flow at Idumota, Nnamdi Azikwe, Ereko, Balogun and Martins Streets.

Retired Superintendent of Police, Mr. Raimi Asuramu is the Commander General of CBD Corps, an agency set up by the state government to sanitise the CBD. According to him, “we discipline our boys and make sure they are on duty from 7.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. daily. They have been able to clear Dosunmu, Adeniji-Adele, Kakawa, Inner and Outer Marina, Carter Bridge inward and outward, Balogun, Ereko, Martins Streets and others.

Traffic is flowing smoothly on the Marina with constant patrol by the CBD patrol riders and traffic control officers stationed at major intersections, especially on Inner and Outer Marina. Two one-way roads were converted into a dual carriage way to ease traffic flow in and out of Marina.

At least 200 offenders have been arrested for various offences ranging from driving against traffic, illegal parking on the walkway and obstruction of traffic, while fines were imposed on them to serve as deterrent to others.

Sweepers, on a daily basis, keep the 22 CBD roads clean. They do this as early as 6.00 a.m. to ensure that the business environment remains clean and healthy for the use of business owners and shoppers.

Despite the laudable achievements made on the CBD, there are still some challenges. One of such is illegal motor parks and garages in several places.

According to Danmole, “the built up nature of Lagos Island CBD has created a challenge of adequate and befitting motor parks within the business precinct. With this in mind, we cannot chase off the commercial vehicles from some of the locations now converted into motor parks and bus stations without providing immediate alternatives.

“In realization of this, a committee comprising other relevant agencies and stakeholders has been set up to review and provide solutions to the inadequate motor parks problem on Lagos Island CBD. However, we have corrected the usual haphazard parking by ensuring vehicles are parked in a single lane while enforcement of picking and alighting passengers indiscriminately has been stepped up.”

Another challenge in the CBD is the lawlessness of bank officials. These officials, with the aid of security personnel attached to pilot bullion vans, are notorious for driving against traffic during peak hours.

According to Asuramu, “we have been able to deal with problems arising from the informal sector, but with the formal sector, they use police to carry out lawlessness.”

“On several occasions, our traffic personnel were prevented from effecting the arrest of traffic offenders. Nevertheless, we are winning the war against ‘one-way’ driving in the area with resilience and the assistance of police formations on the Island,” said Danmole.

Illegal Stalls Demolished In Aswani Market

A combined team of officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and the Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Other Offences Unit, Alausa, have destroyed all the illegal structures at the popular Aswani Market in Isolo.

KAI Marshal-General, Captain Danjuma Meigeri (retd.), who led the operation, said the exercise would be sustained. He confirmed that one of his men, Commander Nofiu Ajikawo and KAI officials would be stationed there permanently to keep away illegal traders.

He explained that the destruction of the illegal stalls was carried out to pave way for the expansion of the existing roads and to construct new ones in the area. He warned commercial motorcyclists, a.k.a. okada riders, to desist form parking along the road or risk arrest. Captain Meigeri also appealed to the state government for more personnel for his outfit. ”I want governor Fashola to provide more personnel for KAI so that we can perform more effectively,” he pleaded.

Fashola Earmarks N9Billion For Lekki Free Trade Zone

Governor Babatunde Fashola has earmarked N9 billion for the development of the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) this year.

The LFTZ is expected to be the biggest trade zone in Africa when completed and will serve as a the commercial hub for the entire Africa. Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olusola Oworu, is in charge of the LFTZ, which is already in its first phase of construction.

According to Barrister Opeyemi Bamidele, in an excerpt in the booklet on the 600 days of Fashola in office, the zone is being handled by the collaboration between China and Nigeria and a Public-Private partnership business located in the Lekki Peninsula.

“It is a major economic asset that has an approved land space of 30 square kilometres sited between the villages of Magbon Segun and Itoke in Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area, which is 80 kilometres away from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja,” he said.

The LFTZ, on completion, is expected to have hi-tech industrial sector, which will incorporate petro-chemical facilities, which would utilise Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources. Going by its development plan, the LFTZ will rank among the most vibrant free trade zones in the world.

Apart from the land area, which it has been designed to cover, the zone will accommodate many other top of the range facilities which include high close residential apartments, shopping malls, recreational and service centres.

Like all other zones in the world, the LFTZ will not only create job opportunities, but constitute international business havens from which the hosts will draw immense economic benefits for their prosperity.

According to Bamidele, the emerging LFTZ is no doubt a major economic development project that deserves all necessary support from Nigerians and, in particular, Lagosians, given the fact that the location will stimulate development, better public transport facilities, steady electricity supply, decent health facilities and efficient road linkages, among other infrastructure that will emerge in the sleepy sub-urbanity.

The promotion of the LFTZ is vested in the Lekki Worldwide Investments Limited, a joint venture company between the Lekki Free Zone Development Company and the Lagos state government.

Am so much complacent with the demolishing of the street markets. It's becoming one of the worse constituting nuissance in the city.

Lagos Tackles Stray Animals

The Lagos state government is set to remove all stray animals on Lagos roads, as from next Tuesday.

The animals, including horses, donkeys, cattle, sheep, goats and others, are to be seized wherever they are found and disposed of. Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Chief Enoch Ajiboso, who disclosed this, also directed all owners of animals to keep them off the roads.

“Government has observed with dismay the menace of stray animals such as horses, donkeys, cattle, sheep, goats, among others. They have become a danger on major highways within the Lagos metropolis, causing accidents and obstructing traffic. “The situation can no longer be tolerated. Owners of such stray animals are warned to remove the animals from major roads and keep them within their approved premises,” he said.

The commissioner warned that relevant laws, such as the Animal Disease Control Act of the Federation and the Meat Inspection Law, Chapter M3 of 2003, Part 2, Section 32 of Lagos state would be invoked on erring individuals. He revealed that his ministry, the police and relevant law enforcement agencies would commence patrol of major roads to impound stray animals, adding that such animals would be disposed of after three days.

what do they mean dispose of them. are they planning on throwing them at some dump site?

Beggars go hiding...

Hard times also await beggars in Lagos, as they are not spared in the on-going marathon sanitation exercise across the metropolis. It is no longer business as usual for them. Many of them had a way of returni ng to their popular spots each time the task force completed its raid.

Those who are familiar with Kano Street in Ebute-Metta would recall their popular abode, at which a deluge of beggars in rows take their turns to solicit for arms, come rain, come shine.

But in recent times, a new dawn has come to Lagos, thus terminating their thriving business.

It started in Oshodi and they left just like the traders.

The next point of call was Kano Street. In their usual manner, beggars who had no inkling of the intending exercise had flooded the bus stop for business as usual.

They had a field day from morning until noon when the day turned sour. Their brisk business was suddenly disrupted by men of the Lagos State Task Force, comprising the Lagos State Management Traffic Authority (LASTMA), Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and a detachment of Anti-Riot Policemen, who suddenly descended at their popular location, rounded them up, and whisked some beggars into a waiting vehicle.

For them, life would never be the same them again since after the sanitation exercise. Many of them who were not fast enough to escape, were whisked away.

After the exercise, none of them had the guts to return since the government did not only dislodge them but levelled the place with bulldozers while some task force officials keep constant watch at the place, thus winning the war over street begging.

After the repeated exercise at the check-point at Maryland Bus Stop, many beggars are beginning to look for safe havens to continue their business, as government is continuing to dislodge them.

Before the exercise, beggars with various degrees of ailments used to wheel or walk to particular spots and took advantage of traffic jam to to solicit for arms from motorists.

At one of the operations, a beggar, in an attempt to escape the long arm of the law, sneaked behind the alignments of the fly-over, not minding the risk that he might fall off the bridge.

He stunned both the Task Force officials and passers-by, thus becoming an entertainer than a nuisance. Not many passers-by could pass without joining the crowd to hail the hiding beggar who pitched his tent where none of the Task Force officials could dare, for the sake of their lives. He was later helped to escape by some sympathizers, who stretched their hands and pulled him out before putting him on a motorcycle otherwise known as okada to flee from the scene.

Others thrilled passers-by to laughter, when they outsmart the task force officials, who always run after them.

One of the residents, Mr. Ken Audu, who was at the scene said: "They should be happy that they were being taken to a rehabilitation centre rather than risking their lives on the highways. They do not value their lives any longer or this man behind the bridge would not go and hide at such a dangerous place.

"If he slipped and fell off the bridge, he would not be able to beg again," he said.

Another resident, Mrs. Ebun Abiola, said: "It is not a matter of taking them to the centre but to ensure they learn one trade or another. They should be empowered so that they would not return to their trade.

"Besides, the government should also find a way of arresting those who take them to the streets to beg and share whatever they earn. Many of them hang around by the bus stops to monitor them and observe how much they make at the end of the day," she said.

The government, in its determination to re-build a new Lagos, is putting an end to all unhealthy activities that had given the state a bad image.

Street begging, is being one among many menaces that bastardise the metropolis. Beggars, therefore, are in for trouble.

Since the recent development, it has been very hard for many of them to return to their popular abodes to eke out a living, since there are heavy presence of task force officials after each raid at major bus stops to prevent them from returning.

Many residents argue that the operation has really reduced the number of beggars in the metropolis.

A resident, Ade Patrick, said: "With the situation of things at Oshodi, Mushin, Marina and its environs among others, the beggars cannot return."

Some of them have relocated on interior parts of the state to continue their trade.

It could be called that the metropolis, especially busy bus stops, were plagued with a horde of beggars, who exposed their different ailments to attract sympathy.

Because of the lucrative nature of the business, the number kept increasing with some new dimensions being brought into it by the day.

Not even the repeated raids, which the Lagos State government had carried out in the past, seemed to have discouraged the beggars. Rather than reducing, they kept increasing in number by the day. Many of them had the backings of some residents who guided them to their strategic places, with the aim of dividing the proceeds at the end of the day.

Other places where they used to be found in large numbers included: Major highways, streets, bus stops and especially, traffic jam to solicit for arms. Many residents are quite familiar with the trend where beggars risk their lives on the highways to solicit for alms from passers-by and motorists.

There are some, especially the children among them, who preferred to spin on wheelchairs and stools to track down motorists during traffic congestions. They moved from one motorist to another, chanting in English or different Nigerian languages to attract sympathy. Some even exposed their ailments to draw the attention of the passers-by. There are others, especially the elderly and physically challenged, who preferred to line up at bus stops and some strategic places on the highways. Yet, others chose to be on the pedestrian bridges to solicit for alms from those using the footbridges.

Another dimension had been introduced into the system to exploit the disabled ones. Some residents under the guise of running non-governmental organisations (NGOs), had started going into the outskirts to lure the blind into the metropolis, sew uniforms for them and engage them to entertain passers-by with drumming and songs.

Yesterday, when The Guardian visited some of their popular places: Maryland Bus Stop, on Ikorodu Road, Anthony-Oke on Oshodi-Oworosoki Expressway, Onipanu on Ikorodu Road, Ilasamanja, Cele Footbridges on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Kano Street in Ebute-Metta, where they used to stay in large numbers among others, none of them was in sight.

The Lagos State government had vowed to free the Lagos metropolis of the menace of beggars, lunatics and miscreants, to ensure the state retores its name as the Centre of Excellence.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Youths, Sports and Social Development, Dr. Dolapo Badru, said the government would not relent its effort to make sure that beggars, lunatics and social miscreants are evacuated from the streets of Lagos, saying the raid would continue from time to time.

According to him, some would be taken to rehabilitation centre, Tekunle, where they would be empowered after learning different trades while others would be taken to Beggars' Home at Okobaba in Ebute-Metta temporarily, until arrangements were made to return them to their home towns.

Finally, some seriuos efforts to change the face of Lagos!!!!

what do they mean dispose of them. are they planning on throwing them at some dump site?

No, a lot of cities around the world have done this in the past in their efforts to clean themselves up. Basically what they did was go around the Urban area with a bunch of trucks gathering up stray animals, they transported them to open fields around the outskirts of the cities and basically killed them in mass, threw their dead carcasses into large piles in which they doused in gasoline, then burned them.

They disposed of the burnt remains by simply bulldozing them into large pits dug not too far from the cremation point. They covered over the pits with a layer of gravel and then a layer of dirt before planting grass seeds over the area in which in just a few months time made the area look as though nothing ever took place there.

My agenda in 2009 –Fashola

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has given further insight into his action plan for 2009 under the ongoing urban renewal programme of his administration.

He listed poverty alleviation, infrastructural renewal and economic development and prosperity of Lagos and Lagosians as the priority of his administration in 2009.

Fashola, who addressed Government House Correspondents at the Adeyemi -Bero Auditorium after the last quarter review of the 2008 Budget by the State Executive Council, on Friday, said his administration would build and rehabilitate more roads, markets and provide more health care facilities.

He said the government would also encourage local government chairmen to focus more on improving and building primary health care centres and facilities in their councils to sustain the health care delivery of the state government at the grass roots.

”At the state level, we intend to go closer and deeper to the ordinary people in focusing on our rural development programmes and putting money into peoples‘ pockets with our micro-finance scheme. We will be focusing more attention on health care for children and women, education, sports, vocational and skills training facilities,” he said.

He reiterated that his administration would provide the people with those skills and services that would make them to become self-supporting and self-sustaining.

”The notion and idea of the absence of poverty is not necessarily because there is wealth, but because people are able to self-support themselves and sustain themselves. That is what we want to achieve.”

On the performance of the 2008 Budget, Fashola, who said it achieved 71.5 per cent performance, said, ”We have done much and we plan to do more this year. We are inspired by what we have achieved and we will not rest on our oars. The result of that performance is there for all to see”, adding that the government would remain focused to take the performance to a higher level this year

Governor Fashola, who attributed much of the achievement of the 2008 Budget to the increasing voluntary payment of taxes by residents, declared, ”We thank Lagosians for the support we have had so far, the increasing compliance in tax payment, and the voluntary payment of taxes. It has made tax easier to collect. Therefore, our expenditure in going to chase people is being well managed and put to other resources”.

He expressed joy that ”people are increasingly becoming aware that the road to prosperity is the one in which people pay taxes and sacrifice and commit to the government they elected,” adding, ”It is not enough to expect that only civil servants and those who work in companies which are under the P.A.Y.E. should continue to bear the tax burden of all of us.

”Therefore, all the doctors, the accountants, the architects, the lawyers, the estate valuers, the middle and small-scale enterprises who benefit from anything we do in Lagos, must come into the tax regime.

“Clearly, without increasing taxes, if more people pay taxes voluntarily, we will get more money,” the governor said.

He added that the whole idea was to increase the number of people that pay tax rather than put the burden on public servants whose taxes are deducted at source or private companies who are within the tax system and whose taxes are also deducted from source.

Appealing to more professionals and middle and small-scale entrepreneurs and all order individuals and organisations doing business in the state, but are not yet tax compliant, to do so, Governor Fashola declared, ”We need more of these professionals and medium and small-scale enterprises to voluntarily assist us so that together we will share this commonwealth for the benefit of all.”

Punchng.com (http://punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art200902013544332)

Are the different departments responsible for the execution of those projects deserving any worthy prasie at all?

50 firms jostle for Lagos estate developers scheme

Under renewed efforts to beef up the housing stock, the Lagos authorities have sealed a deal with 17 firms to pilot its public-private-partnership scheme. But town planners are cautioning against the cash and carry approach and urging a rethink of the blueprint to allow for low-income housing

UP to 50 private real estate development firms are in contention to lead a new drive by the authorities in Lagos to boost the provision of residential accommodation in the state.

Of the lot, about 17 firms have already been picked to pilot the first set of houses to be built under the state's new public, private-partnership scheme, which will yield over 15,000 houses on completion in various locations in the state. The locations are Irepodun, Shasha, Yaba, Ikota, Olokonla, Ado, Igbogbo, Abijo, Egan/Igando, Ipaja, Ibeju-Lekki, Lekki and Gbagada.

The firms are City Scape, which is billed to deliver 10,000 housing units, Toobi Projects (108), Royal Sanderton (296), Cortex (72), Marimpex Imperial Homes (208), Key Based Ventures (160), Millennium Eagle Investment (1,272), Haon Properties (816), L.B.I. C/PMI (1,248), C.S.B. Construction (680) and First World Communities Limited (1,000).

Others are Fechrad Nigeria Limited (202), South Drift Investment (81), MIDC Limited (2,350), Intercontinental Homes (294), Polymart Nigeria Limited (63) and Mid Atlantic.

The real estate firms were picked by a standing inter-ministerial committee for appraising public-private partnership proposals in the area of housing development in the state. The committee comprises officials from the ministries of Housing, Finance, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Justice, Lands, Works and Infrastructure, Transportation, Environment, as well as the New Towns Development Authority and Office of the Surveyor General.

The state's Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Dele Onabokun disclosed at the monthly meeting of the Lagos chapter, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), which addressed the theme "Public-Private Partnership in Housing delivery: The Challenges for Lagos State," of the 18 projects currently approved, only nine developers are physically on site and at different stages of construction.

Onabokun noted that the involvement of the Lagos State Government in provision of mass housing in the state had been limited by the huge capital outlay required for such projects and the relatively limited resources available to address the competing public sector needs.

He stated that the government was ready to provide land and an enabling environment for private developers who are willing and possess the resources required to develop such estates, with special consideration for the construction of affordable houses.

His words: "This partnership in line with the standard practice in PPP is predicated upon the conviction that government's role should only be that of facilitator in any meaningful human settlement development programme. This, in turn, gives government the opportunity of ploughing limited funds that could have been expended on housing projects to provide other social services."

Lagos NITP state chairman, Mr. Moses Ogunleye, urged the state government to refocus attention on housing provision for the low-income group.

"It will be more rewarding if some developers are made to focus on housing provision for the low income group through some incentives. This can be done by offering such incentives as tax holidays and heavily discounted cost of land. Since most private estate developers are established as profit organisations who by themselves have continued to rely mostly on short term funds for their projects, it will be difficult for them to use the short term funds for housing, which requires long-term financing," he noted.

Nine slums to be upgraded


Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project has identified nine slum communities in the state to be upgraded under its World Bank-assisted programme.

LMDGP was established by the government in November 2007 to increase sustainable access to urban services through investment in infrastructure.

The selected communities, according to the Project Director, Mr. Kehinde Akinola, are Agege, Ajegunle, Amukoko, Badia, Iwaya, Makoko, Ilaje-Bariga, Ijeshatedo and Itire.

Akinola told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday that investment on the communities would be carried out in phases.

He added that it would be funded from the $200m World Bank development take-off grant for the state.

The project director said that government took the initiative to make the communities attractive and habitable in line with its mega-city project.

Akinola lamented the deplorable state of the selected communities, adding that people should not continue to live in squalor.

He said that the high influx of people into the state had impacted on the few amenities in those areas.

“These slum communities are home to over 1.1 million people who lack access to roads, potable water supply, public sanitation facilities and health centres.

“In line with its mega-city project, the government cannot allow people to continue to live in squalor where they lack access to socio-economic empowerment,‘‘ he said.

Akinola said the LMDGP would be involved in the upgrading of the slums, with the provision of all the necessary facilities, including schools.

He urged residents of the affected areas to cooperate with the government in its ongoing development programmes across the state. (NAN)

Lagos in Mainland Roads Transformation Scheme


"The ongoing construction is a major construction work by the Lagos State Government and it is highly commendable. By the time the whole road stretch is completed, the perennial traffic snarl associated with this area would be a thing of the past. Already, with the level of work done on Jibowu Road to Iddo, traffic has improved greatly," said a motorcycle operator, who identified himself as Abubakar.

"The ongoing road construction and rehabilitation in this area is very good. Though some streets roads that link Yaba-Iddo Road to Herbert Macaulay Road have reached near completion stages like Sabo-Aje, works on some other major streets such as University Road and Adekunle as well as Petgrave Road still need lot of work. So the construction firm handling the work should speed up the job. At the end of everything, this area would the better for it in terms of traffic," said 70-year-old Chief Victor Badejo, a resident.

"What the Lagos State Government is doing here in terms of road construction is commendable, but my observation is that on the proposed BRT lane that is being incorporated along the Yaba-Iddo stretch, the pavements by the roadside should be slanted to enable vehicles park on top so that traffic can flow better because the way the pavements are right now, no room is made for that. Moreso, the drains should be netted to fitter the rain water from the main road so as not to block the drains in the process. Also, provision for the installation of streetlights should be made right away," enjoined Wasiu Alaka, another resident.

"The work should be hastened up. For instance, at the Yaba end, work was stopped for sometime but in all the government is doing a great job here. Traffic is better unlike in the past when the traffic gridlock was horrible," stated Mrs. Rosemary Akpan.

A visit to Yaba down to Iddo in Lagos Mainland is an indication that major road construction is ongoing and many of the residents are in high spirits awaiting the final completion of the roads in the area which is expected to address the perennial traffic gridlock.

Already, work on Sabo-Aje Street, Commercial Avenue and Motgomery have reached completion stages. Construction works are going at Alagomeji-Hughes Avenue, Herbert Macaulay Road and other major streets. The general view is that of high expectations. Even though the road reconstruction is yet to be completed, the ease of traffic flow presently experienced along the axis, according to residents, is commendable. The work is being handled by P.W Nigeria Limited.

According to one of the engineers in the company, who preferred anonymity, the first phase of the work has reached 85 per cent completion. He explained that the company experienced a setback at the Yaba end of the Iddo Road due to the Military Ordinance Base that failed to move its fence backward to enable the expansion of the road at that point. He however said on Tuesday that the challenge had been overcome, as work is expected to commence on the expansion of the road at that point. He also assured that the road project, which is in phases, would be completed according to schedule.

According to the Lagos Highways and Road Maintenance Department Office of Infrastructure, the infrastructure improvement programme was conceived by the state government in 2007 to tackle perennial traffic problems in the axis.

"The aim of the project is to rediscover and enhance the aesthetic beauty of the Mainland and at the same time address the perennial/unbalanced traffic problem associated with the area. A total of 37 roads, which include Muritala Mohammed Way and Herbert Macaulay Road are involved. Muritala Mohammed Way and Herbert Macaulay Road are to be reconstructed as four lanes/one way acting as the major roads in the area," he explained.

It was gathered that as result of ease of cash flow, the project has been divided into four phases:

Phase 1 consists of Muritala Mohammed Way from Jibowu to Iddo with an average width of 14.85metre and length of 6.35kilometres. The scope work includes the following: relocation of telecoms, water and PHCN services; provision of longitudinal and transverse service ducts for future use, scarification and carting away of bad materials, provision of walkway on both sides of the road and provision of bustops/laybyes.

Others include earthworks and laying of geotextile material, provision of covered concrete drains/culverts, 100mm asphalt surfacing (60mm Binder/40mm Wearing), street lightning, road signages as well as road markings.

However, some major challenges have been experienced in the course of executing phase I of the project. These included the inability of Lagos State Water (LSW) to give a layout or provide in advance the alignment of water mains, which has led to the bursting of water pipes along the carriageway alignment, (though this has now been fixed); silted and ineffective canals/collector drains, which are yet to be addressed by the relevant agency;, inability of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to identify or give a layout of the alignment of major cables, which has led to damage of some of these cables. These are also receiving prompt attention, since the relocation is being handled by PHCN Sub-Contractor. There has also been obstructing structures within the right of way, such as the Army Ordinance Base, which has fence wall and structures to be removed.

Phase II of the project consists of 22 roads and these include Aje Street with 545metres, Montgomery Road at 720metres, Commercial Avenue at 1339metres, Commercial Road at 351metres and Old Yaba Road at 899 metres. Also in the phase are University Road at 1116 metres, Adekunle Road at 647.metres, Petgrave Road (703metres), Agege to Ikorodu link Road (394 metres), Hughes Avenue (799metres) while Iddo to Ijora Causeway link (731 metres).

"It is believed that at the end of the four phases of the project, the aesthetic beauty of the Mainland would have begun a natural restoration process while traffic congestion would have become a thing of the past," the office said.

allafrica.com (http://allafrica.com/stories/200902040094.html)

Lagos state N50bn bond over-subscribed


Lagos State government has recorded 18 per cent oversubscription of the N50 billion bond floated last December.

The Commissioner for Finance, Prince Rotimi Oyekan, disclosed this at a joint news conference with his counterparts for in Information and Strategy, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele; and Budget and Planning, Mr. Ben Akabueze, on Wednesday.

According to Oyekan, the state government in 2008 had gone to the capital market with N50 billion bond only to realise that it had been oversubscribed by 18.9 per cent, which is equivalent to N8.9 billion.

He explained that the oversubscription was a pointer to the reality that Nigerians still had confidence in the capital market in spite of the global financial crisis, describing the excess money as people’s faith in Governor Babatunde Fashola’s government.

He said “what Lagos State government enjoyed at the capital market has clearly showed that investors would always embrace issues that have well spelt purposes.

“The government shall before the end of 2009 approach the market again for further transactions.”

He, however, told the press that the state government was awaiting the directive of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) whether to return the N8.9 billion excess to the subscribers or to keep the money for further utilisation.

Tribune (http://www.tribune.com.ng/05022009/news/news6.html)

Go Lagos

For Lagos to be truly considered a mega-city it needs to have proper waste disposal not just getting trash and burning it in the middle of the streets like they do now (very uncivilized) and sewage system. Also security and fire services should be upmost priority.

We agree. Still a lot of work to be done in Lagos. Almost impossible but i hope we get through. :ohno:

For Lagos to be truly considered a mega-city it needs to have proper waste disposal not just getting trash and burning it in the middle of the streets like they do now (very uncivilized) and sewage system. Also security and fire services should be upmost priority.This a serious issue that must be address now cos this will pose a health hazard to the teeming population.

For Lagos to be truly considered a mega-city it needs to have proper waste disposal not just getting trash and burning it in the middle of the streets like they do now (very uncivilized) and sewage system. Also security and fire services should be upmost priority.

Why not try updating your knowledge of Lagos - All you have made mention of, have and are continously being addressed - Burning of trash was in the past (but not in the middle of the road - thats exergeration) and I don't think the present day govt will allow that. I know there's waste disposal system in lagos at the moment and as for sewage systems, it is in the offings, thats why slums will have to be bulldozed and proper houses will be built around this places so that sewage and water systems can be properly channelled to this places

It amazes me that a lot of people measure a megacity with skyscrapers and heavy infrastructures when in fact a megacity is measured with the explosive population of the city.

Why not try updating your knowledge of Lagos - All you have made mention of, have and are continously being addressed - Burning of trash was in the past (but not in the middle of the road - thats exergeration) and I don't think the present day govt will allow that. I know there's waste disposal system in lagos at the moment and as for sewage systems, it is in the offings, thats why slums will have to be bulldozed and proper houses will be built around this places so that sewage and water systems can be properly channelled to this places

It amazes me that a lot of people measure a megacity with skyscrapers and heavy infrastructures when in fact a megacity is measured with the explosive population of the city.
:lol::lol::lol:

The reality is that Lagos is making steady progress in waste management. The waste management authority (LAWMA) now has over 300 new compactors, in addition to a couple of hundred waste collection and roll-on roll-off trucks (including private sector PSP trucks). Dino bins have been introduced across the city, while giant steel bins on wheels has been provided in all the schools. The Olusosun land fill site has been recently upgraded, with new landfills at Ibafo, Ikorodu and Badagry, and the construction of about 10 new transfer loading stations (with ones at Sura, Simsin, Ogombo and Yaba all but completed and equipped). The importance of the transfer loading stations is that collected waste will be reprocessed and compressed there during the day and transfered to the landfills at night. So instead of (for example) having 20 or 30 trucks on the roads heading to the landfill, only about two would be required because the waste would have been compressed.

Lagos spends six per cent of income on waste management –LAWMA


The Managing Director, Lagos Waste Management Authority, Mr. Oladimeji Oresanya has said that Lagos State is committing the highest resources on waste management in Nigeria, which is six per cent of its income.

Oresanya who spoke at the an event to mark Nigerite Limited’s collaboration with LAWMA under its Public Private Partnership initiative for environmental cleanliness in Lagos on Friday said, “ Lagos is simply spending the highest in Nigeria and we are just spending six percent.”

The Lawma boss stated that the state was not spending enough, adding that a developing state like Lagos and Nigeria at large was expected to spend 15 percent of its income on waste management.

He said, “We are not spending enough on waste management. For advance countries where you have infrastructure and necessary support, you are expected to spend 20 percent of your recurrent income on waste management. And for a developing country like Nigeria, where we still have defective infrastructure, you are supposed to spend 15 percent of your income on waste management.”

Speaking on the use of foreign technologies to manage the enormous waste generated in the state, Oresanya stated that the authority was conscious of bringing in technologies that can not be sustained adding that the technologies required a lot of power to support them.

He also noted that quite a number of foreign companies were willing to bring in their waste management technologies to the country, adding that some of them want to come and perform experiment in Nigeria. “They even want you to guarantee those facilities they are bringing.

He said, “We are being careful to ensure that we have the right human capacity on ground to manage that level of partnership vis-à-vis equity and legal implication of risk allocation which are the intrigues involved in public private partnership.”

Oresanya also said the collaboration between Lawma and private institutions in the state was yielding positive result. The recent being the sponsorship of five people for sweeping the whole of Oba Akran road, Ikeja Lagos.

The Managing Director, Nigerite Limited, Mr. Jean Luc Viatour said, “We are sponsoring the five people in respect of equipment required for the cleaning of the street. This is in line with LAWMA’s initiative to keep the environment clean.”

Oresanya stated that Nigerite was the ninth company collaborating with LAWMA for keeping the environment clean.

Commenting further on the support LAWMA is enjoying from corporate organizations in the state, the LAWMA boss said, “I do not know of any other government agency that has been receiving this enormous support from the private sector. You go on the streets and you see our people wearing glittering uniforms. They are being given to us free of charge by private organizations.”

Lagos vows to reclaim illegally annexed drainage channels

Lagos State Government has vowed to reclaim all drainage channels and set backs illegally annexed by some property owners in highbrow Victoria Island.

The Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire, who said this during a tour of drainage facilities in Victoria Island, also condemned the act of vandalism and cannibalisation of public property in the state.

He said the situation had become worrisome, especially the involvement of the elite, who formed the bulk of property owners in the area.

A statement from the ministry on Friday quoted the commissioner as saying that given the existing drainage network in Victoria Island; there was no reason for the island to get flooded if routine cleaning of the channels was done.

He accused property owners who built on drainage setbacks and bank way of causing flooding in the area, as he lamented that such action often made it virtually impossible to access for routine maintenance and cleaning.

Banire also said some landlords refused staff of the ministry access to the drainage channels, which they had illegally annexed.

He stressed that drainage channels and set backs were public properties, which must be accessible to public officials at all times to enable them discharge their responsibilities towards the citizenry.

Fashola To Deploy Copters Against Robbers

Fashola says the state would not relax because it is winning the war against crime and that it would provide the helicopters to beef up security in the state. The governor made this known at a dinner for corporate organisations and individuals who have contributed immensely to the Security Trust Funds (STF).

“One of the things we want to do is to provide dedicated helicopters, not only to deal with emergencies, but also to chase down undesirable elements who have taken our waterways as escape routes sensing that escaping through the streets have become very difficult. Indeed, we are at the threshold of unleashing our Water Transportation Services and this is probably the way to begin to react in a pro-active, rather than reactive, way,” he stated.

According to the governor, “as we get increasingly technological in our programme, security challenges will continue to get increasingly more complex and we must be proactive rather than reactive. The problem of security is not only that of the banks but a collective one.”

On the proposed launch of the Close-Circuit Television (CCTV), the governor said it would provide the government the opportunity to assist the police in a most contemporary fashion. He said the CCTV became necessary for the police in the battle against crime because “the Nigeria police is not getting larger and so Lagos state is not likely to have more police officers in the foreseeable future.

“So, we are going to rely on about 33,000 police officers spread over eight area commands and 34 divisional headquarters, to about 18 million people. On the overage, it amounts to a ratio of one police officer to 600 people.”

Fashola, however, said the launch of the STF has reduced crime rate drastically in the state, saying that Lagos state is now one of the safest cities in Africa.

“Lagos is today one of the safest cities, not just in Nigeria, but on the continent. The statistics are there, the records are there in the public domain. The security situation in the state today is far better than it was 20 months ago.

“I remember how Lagos was in the first seven days after I became governor, that I was daily visiting the hospitals in an unchanging pattern to see those who had received gunshot wounds or homes of families who had lost their relations as a result of armed robbery. That was how bad it was then. But, today, the situation is different,” he stated.

Fashola warned on the danger of relaxing because of the victory against crime in the state, saying “we also want to bring us to a reality check with the new challenges that come with successes because we have taken an economy, an illegal economy from criminals and I do not think they will give up lightly. “Therefore, we cannot afford to assume that the job is done,” he said, while urging the people to donate more to the fund.

“Although there is global economic meltdown and general downturn in business, no business will even thrive when there is no security. As entrepreneurs, as citizens, I say we have made tremendous successes but there are challenges ahead.”

He said the fund has set new targets and new challenges not only in terms of policing the state, but also in the ability to respond to emergencies that threaten the day-to-day life of the people, such as accidents, disasters, explosions and other such emergencies which could happen in any city.

When you think Fash is running out of ideas....he pulls out a new stunt. Governor Cool

Lagos GDP reaches N3.86tn

The Central Office of Statistics in the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget on Monday said the Gross Domestic Product for the state had reached N3.68tn ($29.028bn) as at the end of 2007.

The figure, according to a statement released by the ministry, represents 17.5 per cent of Nigeria‘s GDP, which stands at N24.5tn ($165.69bn).

The statement said Lagos was the single largest contributor among the states in the country.

It attributed this achievement to the sustained efforts by the government in transforming the state‘s infrastructure.

It further disclosed that the figure produced by the ministry corroborated the ranking of Lagos by the City Mayors Review as the 6th among African cities and 118th among cities of the world.

Commenting on the figure, the state Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ben Akabueze, noted that the computation of the GDP was an essential part of the administration‘s commitment to effectively monitor the level of economic growth and well-being of its people.

He said the GDP was equal to that of Kenya and greater than those of Cameroon, Cote d‘lvoire and Ghana, adding that this development would enhance the state‘s economic profile internationally.

Akabueze, who presented the result of the computation during the review of the 2008 budget performance, stated that the ministry would continue to monitor budget performance and assist ministries, departments, and agencies to realise the set goals of government.

Commenting on the 71.5 per cent performance of the 2008 budget, he said the meeting was held to jointly explore the possibilities of realising the 90 per cent minimum budget performance benchmark set by the Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

He also disclosed that the government had adopted a nine-sector classification of functions of government in line with international standard while adopting best practices in both the preparation and management of the 2009 budget.

He further said that there was a need for people to take tax payment seriously since it was the principal way by which government sourced funds to execute programmes and policies.

The Commissioner insisted that the government, had not introduced new taxes or rates, but will enforce the relevant laws.

He also noted and commended the going tread of voluntary tax payment by Lagosians, as evidenced by the increasing number of people embracing self-assessment.

15,712 jobs generated in two years
By Agency Reporter
Published: Tuesday, 17 Feb 2009

Lagos State Government on Saturday said it had generated not less than 15,712 employment in about two years since the Governor Babatunde Fashola-led administration assumed office.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this in Lagos while delivering a lecture, being part of the activities to mark Young Men Christian Association’s week.

Bamidele, who spoke on the topic, ‘Advocating the Rights of the Poor in Our Society,’ said that the present administration in the state had been stimulating the generation of new jobs in partnership with the private sector through environmental and traffic management, as well as direct employment into the public service.

Giving the breakdown, the Commissioner noted that environmental beautification had generated 4,909 employment; 3,000 for clearing of drainages, while 810 men have been engaged through the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang of government.

According to him, 700 highway managers had been employed by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, while 3,200 street sweepers were directly engaged to keep major streets neat.

He added that government’s partnership with major PSP operators had also generated 550 employments.

On direct employment into the state’s civil service, Bamidele explained that 278 junior workers whose grade fell between 1 to 6 were absorbed; adding that traffic management through LASTMA generated 2,265 employments.

He emphasised that the breakdown excluded employment of senior officers into the mainstream public service, newly established agencies like the Lagos State Records and Archive Bureau, Lagos Internal Revenue Service, Bus Rapid Transit, among others.

Bamidele stated that the extension of the beautification of environment to other areas, expansion of the maintenance section of LAMATA, which is located in Matori, were also avenues of generating employment by government.

New $3b Lagos holiday resort debuts soon
From Oghogho Obayuwana, Abuja

AS a direct response to the Federal Government's long spanning foreign investment drive, a complete business and Holiday Resort in Badagry, Lagos State is to become operational soon.

It is being developed by The MotherLand Group, one in the circle of the potential investors, lobby groups, top American businessmen, intellectuals and friends of Africa, who met with the Nigerian delegation to the inauguration of President Barack Obama last month.

Fielding questions from The Guardian, the Chief Executive Officer of the group, Gary Loster, an African American, disclosed that the $2.9 billion project billed to position Badagry, as the tourist hub of Nigeria will start by June this year, with a gradual release of products before its completion in 2012.

It will house the Nigerian Theme Park spoken gloriously about by tourism experts, Condominiums, a golf course, casino, Jacksons musuem, amphitheatre and even casinos.

Tracing his roots to Nigeria, Loster maintained that Badagry has all it takes to become Africa's prime tourism centre.

"It was a famous slave coast. We remember it. There is a lot of nostalgia about this beautiful Nigerian site. We are working with the private sector and the state government to upgrade the infrastructure in the area. In the mould of the Disney world in Florida, lots of revenue will be generated as it is done all over the world through the touristic revenue traffic. This is our contribution to the need to invest massively in Africa," he said.

Addressing the Nigerian delegation and friends of Africa representatives during one of the inaugural balls last month, Loster said, "the Badagry project is not just about a massive investment. It is a historical project. What we are looking at is being able to go to Badagry and re-enact actually what happened. As we know, a number of slaves were taken from Badagary. I believe its in excess of half a million. We want to make sure that the world knows about the important contribution that Nigeria made to the U.S and the Caribbean but at the same time, we want to put a amphitheatre, a museum so that remember who and what happened in Badagry."

He continued, "what it also means for Nigeria is that we want to employ our people. We have private investors, who are also working with us in the project. We want to educate our people. Its going to increase tourism and bring new opportunities for the local people. Put people to work. So its going to be a wonderful project. By the economic law, it will employ Nigerians and bring people from the U.S and Europe to begin to visit and see how wonderful Nigeria is and what it has to offer."

On the impact of President Barack Obama's emergence on the new investment drive and the organisational strength of the group, he said, "its all in the spirit of can do. Our group is a professional organisation made up of lawyers, businessmen and financial experts, who are looking at working with Africa and in particular Nigeria. We seek faith in Nigeria where political education has become necessary.

It will underline the economic impacts that we can have with the U.S-Nigeria relations, as well as, the region of Africa. That today's American president is from Kenya is very important. He also has an understanding now with the continent. Now we can join hands with our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora."

During the American inauguration, some state governors were also in Washington ostensibly to take advantage of the influx of leading captains of industry and influential politicians to try and swing investments to their states.

These included Senator Gabriel Suswan (Benue), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Chief Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Godswill Apkabio (Akwa Ibom).

It was also a good opportunity for the inauguration of the US chapter of the African Business Round Table by another group led by its Chairman, Barmanga Tukur. The consultations and high stake meetings were plethoric. Apart from the MotherLand Group, there were meetings also with the National Small Town Alliance, the World Alliance of Mayors, as well as, a member of the powerful black congressional caucus Marcia L. Fudge.

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/4923/metroferryhy5.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/4923/metroferryhy5.jpg

wow, great stuff

aG8o5y5BmGs

Fashola is really making waves.....PDP won't know what hit them in 2011

Fashola is really making waves.....PDP won't know what hit them in 2011

PDP are already dead in Lagos, they should save themselves the embarrassment and not run. In fact, the PDP political machine is crumbling everywhere in Nigeria. How sad and lovely :)

PDP are already dead in Lagos, they should save themselves the embarrassment and not run. In fact, the PDP political machine is crumbling everywhere in Nigeria. How sad and lovely :)

too bad donal duke was pdp. he should switch

Yinka Folawiyo, partners hit commercial oil discovery in Lagos

A CONSORTIUM of companies, operating the Aje oil field in Oil Mining Licence 113 (OML113) offshore Lagos, has confirmed the field for commercial discovery.

A statement issued by Providence Resources Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Company, said "we are pleased to confirm that the Aje Field, in OML113, offshore Nigeria has been deemed a Commercial Discovery by the Operating Committee."

Accordingly, the partners in the Aje Field have authorised Chevron, as Technical advisor to the operator, to prepare a development plan for the field.

Providence holds a five per cent net revenue interest in the Aje Field with the other partners in the project being Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited (operator), Chevron Nigeria Deepwater H Limited (Technical adviser to the operator), Vitol Exploration Nigeria Limited and Energy Equity Resources Aje Limited.

The statement quoted the Chief Executive of Providence, Tony O'Reilly, as saying, "We are delighted with the recent resolution of the partners to formally confirm the commerciality of the Aje Field and to authorise Chevron to prepare a development plan. These key decisions confirm our long held view with regard to the value of our interest. Whilst this project is material for Providence, our interest in OML 113 offshore Nigeria lies outside of our core focus areas and thus Providence continues to consider all options in relation to this asset."

The Aje Field is situated in Oil Mining Lease 113 (OML 113) in water depths of up to c. 3,000 feet and is 15 miles offshore Nigeria, being some 40 miles off Lagos coast. Aje-4 is the fourth well to be drilled on the Aje Field, all of which have intersected hydrocarbons.

The discovery well, Aje-1, which was drilled in 1996 encountered oil and gas in reservoirs of Cretaceous Turonian age, and flowed at an aggregate rate of 42 MMSCFD and 2,262 BOPD over three zones. An appraisal well, Aje-2, which was drilled in 1997 also encountered oil and gas in the Turonian and flowed 3,866 BOPD from an additional zone in the Cenomanian which had not been tested in the Aje-1 well.

Meanwhile, Aje-3 well, which was drilled in 2005 on the southwest flank of the field encountered significant gas shows whilst drilling the Turonian reservoir section and this together with wire-line log data, suggest that whilst reservoir quality is not optimum, this section is gas bearing.

According to the company, Aje-4 well is interpreted to have encountered the main Turonian reservoir c. 30 feet up-dip from the Aje-2 well and the petrophysical logs confirm a gross Turonian hydrocarbon column of c. 335 feet. Down-hole pressure and sample data confirm that the Turonian column comprises gas condensate overlying a c. 30 foot oil rim and that the total column is thought to share a common contact with the Aje-1 & 2 wells.

The results of the Aje-4 well now suggest that the Aje Field may comprise a large low relief and laterally extensive reservoir system. The underlying Upper Cenomanian oil pay zone contained a c. 65 foot gross oil column and the data again suggest that this unit is in communication with the oil payzone, which was tested in the Aje-2 well. A further new Lower Cenomanian oil pay zone was also confirmed with a gross column of c.60 ft.

The Aje-4 well encountered two further zones, which logged as hydrocarbon bearing in the underlying Albian section. The upper zone contained c. 170 ft gross hydrocarbon column in massive sands and a down-hole pressure and sampling programme confirmed the presence of gas-condensate. A further c. 60 ft gross Albian zone was also logged as hydrocarbon bearing.

You have already created a thread for that, Sammyjay77.

^^ It relates to Lagos still

x97zAwuoKOM

The major traffic I am see here is caused by the people not the vehicles.Lol!

Lagos approves Habitat 2011 agenda, new planning regulation

FOLLOWING the submission of the report of a technical committee on Policy Reforms on Planning Regulation and Building Control, the Lagos authorities may have endorsed a policy reform initiative that will overhaul the state's physical planning and urban development framework, as it forges towards consolidation of its of a megacity status.

The reform blueprint, tagged the Lagos Habitat 2011 Project, is the product of a 16-member committee, led by Brigadier-General Reis. Members were drawn from state chapters of professional bodies in the built environment and the public sector. The gazette of the committee's recommendations has been drafted and is to be signed into law in a few weeks. The main objectives of the reform package are to:


modernize extant regulations towards the transformation of Lagos into Africa's model mega city;

halt the increasing frequency of building collapse in Lagos;

establish a building control system to minimize the incidence of various building defects arising from bad design, inferior materials and construction leading to fire and health hazards;

to create processes and institutions for effective enforcement of the regulations;

eradicate uncontrolled development due to fast-paced growth in the state;

reduction of slums towards attainment of the Millennium Development Goals and saving the unnecessary cost of relocating slum dwellers;

mitigate security threats posed by several abandoned buildings in the state;

address the prevalent loss of skills amongst building professionals due to lack of statutory certification and continuous education;

enforce structured accreditation procedures for workmen;

formulate a sustainable physical planning and urban development policy for Lagos State;

identify all Government Agencies responsible for lands and development matters with a view to coordinating their activities.
High among the recommendations of the committee is the setting up of the Habitat 2011 board and the branding of all building materials, such as cement blocks, to enable the government to trace the makers. Other major highlights of the new law include the restructuring of the Lagos Physical Planning and Development Authority for operational effectiveness and separate building control from existing framework for planning approval, pending creation of Lagos building Control Agency (LABCA).

Similarly, there would be the review the regional plan for Lagos and prepare development plans for all levels in the state as well as refocus masterplan already commissioned to concentrate on upgrading of infrastructure and improvement of existing development. The on going model city plans are to be replaced with development guides in all local communities and towns, which will act as briefs for regional plan reviews.

The state also plans to set up planning approval appeal committee at the local government level and appeal tribunal at the state level.

Confirming the details last week at the general meeting/presentation of Policy Reforms on Planning Regulation and Building Control organised by Association of Consulting Architects Nigeria (ACAN), Brig-General Reis said in order to exercise control over the quality of materials, the committee recommended the accreditation of all those involved in the building industry from artisans right up to professionals and also building materials suppliers.

The new policy has also provided for a Habitat Centre, a one-stop professional building modeled after the London Building Centre, which caters for the professional groups in the state for easy cooperation and collaboration. The centre will disseminate relevant government publications and display innovative building materials and technology.

Under the new policy framework, the government is expected to conduct a state wide housing needs survey to determine the actual deficit. "Housing is key driver to the environment and the economy. If government embarks on a large scale programme every body will be employed. Right now no body is doing housing seriously. The beauty of housing is that it does not require government's money. All that is required is the political will, " according to the Reis.

Essentially, there will also be a complete reorganization of the town planning approvals processes. A new agency known as Lagos State Physical Planning Agency (LAPPA) is expected to take charge of planning regulation. The LABCA would take over enforcement and demolitions and within the agency; private building certifiers are expected to emerge. Some professional firms could have building control units existing side by side with their practice after getting accreditation with the government.

Another changes coming is the establishment of a community development consortia, which will comprise teams of built environment professionals and representatives of the communities responsible for identifiable neighbourhoods. They are expected to take up all issues in their domain such as infrastructure, building control and urban regeneration through their masterplan as well as act as intermediary between the government and prospective homeowners.

He advised the architects to always make their grievances or suggestion known to government and to initiate projects that will better the life of Lagosians.

Meanwhile, ANAN President, Mr. Roti Delano said that the association is working on a new scale of fees, which will become operation in May. "The 1996 fee scale which most of us are compelled to use is obsolete. Apart from the fact that inflation has made it unrealistic, the deliverables demanded by clients now has changed. Technology has changed. Costs have gone up. In 1996, there was no Internet, no mobile phones; computerization was at its infancy. There is therefore a need for us to critically look at our compensation and take our destiny in our hands.

"We are all aware that our clients who engage foreign architects pay a lot more than we Nigerian get, however the argument has always been that we do not deliver. We believe that with appropriate fee, the Nigerian architects can deliver a lot more than the foreign architect can deliver."

Mr. Delano disclosed that the association started to tackle the issue of incursion by foreign architect and has written to appropriate institutes in South Africa to acquaint them with the matter.

"We therefore need to ensure that foreign architects do not invade us and take up the juicy jobs, which will in return make us jobless. We must be prepared and find ways and means of surviving the global economic crunch," he said.

Lagos approves Habitat 2011 agenda, new planning regulation

That was a very well thought out and structured set of plans. If properly implemented.. it should solve a lot of Lagos infrastructural and control problems in the future.

Pinnacle Targets N30bn Real Estate Investment in Nigeria

Despite the global financial slowdown, the Nigeria real estate sector is still attractive to foreign investors with Pinnacle Point Group Limited, the largest golf and leisure estate developer in South Africa and on the African continent, expressing its readiness to inject about N30billion for the development of a world class golf estate in Badagry, Lagos State.
With developments planned for Lagos, the group intends to position itself as a major global player in both the golf and residential estate development markets in the next five years. Actual and projected turnover of all projects being executed by the Pinnacle group across Africa currently under management exceeds $6.6 billion.
The group already has nine other developments in South Africa and recently announced that it was in negotiation to develop and construct a multi-million dollar luxury golf estate in Lagos State. The Lagos Keys development will comprise 300 luxury homes, an international golf course, a marina with boutique shops, a six star hotel and conference facility and an iconic Badagry Pyramid which will tower 18 storeys above the development. The pyramid will comprise of 45 million solar panels and will supplement electrical power to the project.
The group is also to build one of the world's most exclusive golf and casino resorts on an island in the Indian Ocean off Mahe, Seychelles. Pinnacle Point won the tender from the Seychelles government against tough international competition. The project will be the largest investment in the Seychelles leisure industry.
The group's flagship development - Pinnacle Point Beach and Golf Resort, on the east coast of South Africa, comprises luxury residential homes, golf lodges, villas, additional exclusive properties situated on the Oyster Bay beachfront enclave, and an 18 hole international championship golf course. The resort has received numerous awards and accolades, and the golf course has been voted one of the Top Ten Best New Golf Courses in the World.
The Pinnacle Point Group is committed to the development and management of all its properties to the highest standards possible, in accordance with a global trend towards luxury lifestyle living.
It is equally committed to maintaining the highest environmental standards across all properties and to a policy of responsible corporate social investment.

The company came about as a result of the merger of the businesses of the Pinnacle Point Holdings group of companies and Acc-Ross Holdings Limited. The merger was achieved through the reverse take-over of Acc-Ross by Pinnacle Point Holdings in November 2008. The Pinnacle Point Group is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Major shareholders of the Company include South Africa's leading bank ABSA and a Nigerian consortium led by GMA. Other key shareholders include a major international property development company in the UAE, who have indicated their intention to partner with the Pinnacle Point Group in expanding the Group's footprint in Africa and exploring the opportunities for global expansion beyond the African continent.

Lazarus Zim, who serves as Chairman of the Group, is the former Managing Director of MTN International, where he led all MTN operations outside South Africa including the successful establishment of MTN in Nigeria. Other key officers include Deputy Chairman Ivor Stratford and Chief Executive Officer Wilf Robinson. The Group currently employs more than a 100 people across its operations, including a significant in-house sales, marketing and development team.

Lagos plans new independent power project

The Lagos State Government has entered into a partnership with the Singapore Power Company to build an independent power plant in the state.

This was made public when representatives of the state government and the SPC visited the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, on Friday.

In his speech, the leader of the delegation, Mr. Makanjuola Alabi, said the construction of the IPP was to ensure adequate and stable power supply in Lagos State.

He added that the team was at NERC to solicit its partnership for the state government’s plan to generate adequate power for the residents.

Alabi, who is the Managing Director, Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, said that his team would come back to the commission in a couple of weeks for a presentation of the state’s blueprint on power supply.

He also said that the state government would soon perfect necessary documentation and licensing arrangements to actualise her power generation, transmission and distribution objectives.

In his response, the NERC Administrator, Mallam Immamudeen Talba, commended the initiative and assured the delegates of the commission’s assistance.

Talba said that the Lagos State Government could not have chosen a better partner considering Singapore’s efforts at turning around her history of shortage of power supply to that of adequate and efficient power generation, transmission and distribution system.

He assured the state Government of the Commission’s readiness to consider her application on merit and to offer whatever assistance that could expedite action on the effort at ensuring adequate power supply in the state.

Singapore Power Company has one of the most efficient power technologies in the world and has experiences that cut across various energy sources.

NERC had in the last three years of its operation issued 28 power generation licences and one distribution licence to independent power producers.

The independent power producers are expected to generate 10, 271 mega watts of electricity when they complete their projects.

BZd744ITJK4

The Economist

Lagos
The Big Yam
Mar 12th 2009 | LAGOS

From The Economist print edition

Plotting a pleasanter future for Nigeria’s business capital

Reuters

Governor Fashola says it’s getting better
SPEND an evening at the tree-lined Seaside Bar on Ikoyi Island and it is possible to come away with a rosy view of Lagos. Revellers clink bottles and gaze across shimmering water. A motor-cruiser festooned with twinkling lights swishes by, music booming. Spotlights illuminate a row of plush new waterside flats on neighbouring Victoria Island; cranes, radio masts and fast-rising hotels dot the skyline.

Daily reality is less alluring. Lagos has long suffered from overcrowding, jammed and broken roads, erratic supplies of power, violent crime, floods, filth and smog. Lagosians are often dynamic, thrusting and entrepreneurial—but even some locals concede that their city is exhausting. Stretched awkwardly over islands and swamp, Nigeria’s former capital struggles to serve both as west Africa’s finance-cum-business hub and as one of the region’s biggest ports.

It has fast outpaced efforts to plan for growth. A recent census found 8m residents, making Lagos Africa’s most populous city after Cairo; the UN expects that figure to reach 20m by the end of the next decade. The governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola, thinks it will get even bigger. Bedecked in a traditional outfit topped by a jaunty red cap, he says that Lagos must plan to be a “mega-city” of 40m souls by mid-century.


What chance has he of crafting a functioning city rather than a conurbation of slums? In office for two years, Mr Fashola can claim a little progress. “We have been able to make the wheels turn quicker,” he says, pointing to new roads, more traffic lights, street lamps and wardens. Now he has plans for public transport: a fleet of 40,000 fume-belching buses, he says, will be overhauled and two commuter rail lines built with the help of private contractors. Ground is due to be broken for the railway in August, as contractors bid for business. The first trains, he promises, will be trundling within three years.

Crime, including armed robbery, is down sharply, he says. Illegal housing has been cleared from the city centre, in some places replaced by parks and trees, so crooks find it harder to evade police. Mr Fashola also points to new cars, boots, CCTV cameras and increased allowances for the city’s 3,000 police. Robbers in boats who once whizzed along city creeks have been chased away.

Efforts are being made to stir up civic pride and reduce the smog caused by fires, by collecting rubbish and waste more reliably. Mr Fashola is also committed to fighting graft; he has published his e-mail address and telephone number for complaining Lagosians.

So far, locals are fond of their governor and his populist touch. He benefited when the economy boomed. But falling oil revenue will mean less public money in the next year or two, and the private sort will be harder to raise too. He plans a fund worth 50 billion naira ($340m) to pay for public-private partnerships to upgrade local power stations, run new train companies and so on. But as the world economy slumps, private partners may be hard to find—and his popularity trickier to sustain.

Nice to hear about the state of security in Lagos.

FG Okays Demolition of Ikoyi Properties

Efforts to amicably resolve the long running dispute over the use and disposal of Federal Government properties in Lagos State got a boost yesterday following the consent given by the Federal Government for the acquisition and possible demolition of Ikoyi properties that are situated along the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge right of way.
The decision was made known in a statement jointly signed by Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, Secretary to the Government of the Federa-tion and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Olasupo Shasore, under the auspices of the Federal Government-Lagos State Government Standing Committee on Government Relations.
Yayale Ahmed is also the chairman on the joint standing committee.
The committee stated that the Federal Govern-ment has no objection to the acquisition of its properties located on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge right of way by the Lagos State Govern-ment in support of the proposed bridge to be built to relieve congestion and traffic on the Lekki Highway and Victoria Island.
The statement, which named the properties to include No. 16 Ruxton Road and No 15, 38 and 40 Alexander Avenue, Ikoyi, however, said parties with established interests would be entitled to compensation.
The committee also announced that four of the Federal Government’s existing and disused jetties in the state would be released to the Lagos State Government.
The joint committee said, “the decision is for both administrative and governmental harmony and for the public good and interest.”
The released jetties include those at Marina in Lagos Island; Ijora in the Apapa Local Government Area; Ajegunle in Ajeromi/ Ifelodun Local Government Area; and Oworonsoki in the Bariga Local Council Development Area of the state.
The statement added that the Lagos State Government would assist the Federal Government in capturing the details of all Federal Government estates derived from public acquisitions in order to facilitate the issuance of subsequent titles to residents of the said estates in the state.
According to the statement, the Old Broad Street Prison will be handed over to the Lagos State Government, which, in turn, will assist the Federal Government in the construction of another prison facility in the long term.
Other recommendations of the committee approved by the Federal Government include that it would work together with the Lagos State Government in the clearing of abandoned shipwrecks and vessels along the state’s waterways using the state government to implement, where necessary.
The Lagos State Government would also undertake the repair of the expansion joints on axial bridges (particularly at Alapere) which the Federal Government team discovered is in urgent need of repairs.
The statement added that joint sub-committees on issues which are outstanding in ensuring smoother Federal Government-Lagos State Government Relations have also been established to propose solutions for pending issues in the longer term
“Inter-governmental relations and the resolution of issues in pursuance of good governance and the public interest is an on-going process,” the statement said, adding that the FG-LASG Standing Committee, whose tenure is 12 months, will continue to work in earnest while looking forward to future achievements.
The joint standing committee on the Federal Government-Lagos State Government Relations was inaugurated on the directive of President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, and has met on three occasions with substantial progress being made in the area of administrative and governmental harmony.
It was set up primarily to resolve disputes between both governments over the lease/sale of Federal Govern-ment to private sector concerns and individuals during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

This I believe is a big boost to the fourth mainland bridge

Driving Lagos into a new age

The last time Gerald Onwuzurike visited Lagos was in 1998. Coming from the sleepy town of Okigwe, in Imo State, he was shocked at the frenzied lifestyle of Lagos residents. He has since come back to Lagos to stay for good, and he quickly joined the ever-swelling band of brothers called commercial auto bike (Okada) riders. Today, he is even more astonished at the sea of human beings who calmly wait on a queue for a BRT bus.

“This is an amazing sight,” he exclaimed in pidgin English. “Imagine Lagosians queuing up in an orderly manner. Such a sight was rare. This governor has really tried in providing this transport scheme that has been so popular.”

The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme, introduced by Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Agency (LAMATA), on 17 March, 2008 has been praised by stakeholders as a largely successful venture.

“Come down, let’s fight!”

From the beginning of the 20th century till date, there have been different bus systems in Lagos. A new set of buses has always emerged to take off from already-existing and less-comfortable ones.

The state government-owned bus schemes started with Lagos Municipal Transport Service (LMTS), which later evolved to Lagos City Transport (LCT) in 1962, and further into Lagos State Transport Corporation (LSTC), in 1967, when Lagos became a state.

Ayodeji Olukoju, who contributed a piece called “Urban Transport” to “Nigerian Cities” edited by Toyin Falola and Steve Sahm, wrote that “the first commercial bus service was established in 1914 by Charlotte Olajumoke Obasa, a leading indigenous entrepreneur of that time.”

There was no significant change until the 1960s when many operators went into the transport business. This resulted in the emergence of the Bolekaja, which literally means “come down and let’s fight” in Yoruba.

As there was never enough room in the packed vehicle for a decent sitting arrangement resulting often in fisticuffs; they would tell each other to “come down and let’s fight.” Bolekaja has since been phased out, and they are now used to carry foodstuff in rural communities.

Seventies to Millennium

The Molue and the Danfo buses, which rolled into Lagos in the seventies replaced “Bolekaja”. Molue is a Mercedes truck, which is reconstructed, locally, into a bus which seats about 44 passengers. The Danfo initially started with a Volkswagen model which seats only 12.

Though other vehicle models have joined the booming business, expanding the carriage capacity to between 12, 14, 18, and 24 passengers. A clear attempt to cope with the bustling population of commuting Lagosians. They go by different names like ‘Oluwole’ which are long Mercedes Benz buses imported by the Lagos State Government in the early 1980s for the Eko Transport Services.

The scheme had since failed and the buses sold to private operators. Another one named ‘Faka’ is a set of 33-seater Mercedes 608 buses and ‘Tata’, another long bus, which was introduced in the 1990s by the Military Administrator then Lt. Col. Buba Marwa to complement the tricycle, Keke Marwa. Many other buses including Nissan buses, Isuzu buses and Toyota buses and Okada and Keke NAPEP, have emerged at different points in recent Lagos history.

BRT Scheme

The scheme was launched on 17 March, 2008, with 100 buses. BRT operates as a transport system, which relies on the use of ‘dedicated lanes’ special traffic lanes to guarantee fast and reliable travel time for commuters. These lanes are usually segregated, thus enabling the buses to have the right of way in situations of traffic congestion. It flagged off with the Mile 12 - CMS route. It was planned by the Lagos state government and run by LAMATA.

“What we have with BRT in Lagos is public private partnership,” said Kolawole Ojelabi, spokesperson of LAMATA. “The state government provides and maintains the infrastructure, while the public sector provides the rolling stock.” The scheme has been a resounding success and celebrates its one-year anniversary on 17 March, 2009.

“The Bus Rapid Transit system, launched for Lagos on March 17, 2008, successfully transported 9.7 million passengers in the first 100 days of operations,” said Dayo Mobereola, managing director of LAMATA, at a media forum last year.

While agreeing that there are still many aspects of the scheme that need to be improved upon; all the respondents that spoke to NEXT applauded the success of the scheme, and called for speedy expansion of the scope of the initiative.

Mopping his brows on a humid evening, on his way home, Yinka Balogun grimaced at the stifling conditions inside a BRT bus that was packed tight with passengers.

“When the buses were introduced, the air conditioners were working,” he said. “What has happened to them? Seems they just used the whole A/C thing as a promotion drive to attract people to start using the buses,” he complained.

Regulators were vague in responding to this allegation. “BRT on Mile 12 to CMS corridor did not start with A/C,” countered Mr. Ojelabi.

Jumoke Afolabi prefers to use the BRT, even though she still has to take two other buses to get home. She joined the clamour for the expansion of the BRT routes.

“The scheme has been proven to be a success, but we would like the government to build more routes and expand this scheme to cover larger areas of the state,” she says. Construction has begun on new routes, and LAMATA said it is making efforts to launch the new routes and new buses soon.

“LAMATA is working on the Iyana-Ipaja/Igando/Ikotun Pilot Bus Franchise Scheme,” said the LAMATA spokesperson. “In a matter of months, this will begin operations. There is a network of seven BRT routes planned for Lagos. One has been implemented. The other routes are being surveyed to determine what kind of infrastructure would be needed. Meanwhile, there are plans to extend the present BRT corridor to Yaba, Oyingbo, Iddo and terminates at CMS. It will make its return journey through Herbert Macaulay Way,” he added.

The buses available are not enough to carry the millions of passengers who board BRT every day, especially during rush hour. Buses are packed tight like sardines in a can during rush hour with passengers standing or sitting on bus steps. Sometimes, passengers can end up standing for most of a two-hour ride in traffic.

“It is effective for now. It’s comfortable; at least some of us have left our cars to use BRT. The thing is just that they should not overload it like Molue,” said Pat Ogbuigwe, a commuter. “People should just sit and not stand. When they started, passengers were sitting down, but now they have started carrying standing.”

Mr. Ojelabi also agreed that passengers should not have to stand in the buses, but he seemed powerless to address the problem.

“In any urban transport system, passengers usually stand in buses,” he said. “What is experienced on the Mile 12 to CMS corridor is no exception. Depending on if the bus is Marco Polo or Ashok Leyland brand, standees are between 25 and 32,” he said.

Some of the buses have been reduced to semi scrap-yard material. They barely totter on their wobbly wheels, and often have various components like headlights and windows missing. Some passengers complained about the state of these buses, and wondered why the operators find it hard to maintain them.

“As the regulator, LAMATA has the responsibility for ensuring that the buses maintenance manuals are followed. We ensure that the operator withdraw damaged vehicles for repair regularly,” says Mr. Ojelabi. He, however, doggedly maintained that all existing 220 buses are on the roads.

“This initiative has really done a lot in alleviating the perennial traffic problems in this state, especially for the huge number of island-mainland commuters,” said Joyce Odimegwu, a lawyer who commutes from her home on the mainland to her office on the island daily. “It still has a lot of challenges, but I must admit it has been a very successful scheme.”

Fashola awards contract for BRT lane on
Lagos/Badagry Expressway



The Lagos State Government has given Julius Berger the contract for the construction of the dedicated Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) lane on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) said yesterday at a stakeholders’ meeting to commemorate the first anniversary of the BRT System that work would begin on the two routes for the light rail project from Okomaiko to Marina and Ido to Alagbado by August.

Fashola said: "I have directed that the current BRT route be extended through Yaba, Oyingbo, Iddo to terminate at CMS."

He said his administration had embarked on expansion of road networks, towards opening up the routes for the services of the BRT.

He urged entrepreneurs and Nigerians in Diaspora involved in the management of similar services to come home and partner his administration.

Fashola said another area of immediate challenge was the provision of depot for the buses and appealed to the Federal Government to release some areas, which have been identified as likely depot terminal, to the state so as to provide easy transportation to the people.

The governor, who described the first year of the BRT services as a success, recalled that the journey to resuscitating the state’s transportation system started in 2003 under the administration of his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

According to him, "more than 52 million passengers have been transported by BRT, which gives us the assurance that this initiative has come to stay and will indeed grow from strength to strength. I, therefore, congratulate every Lagosian for keeping faith with the BRT in the first year of its operations."

Fashola said soon, the Pilot Bus Franchise scheme on Iyana-Ipaja/ Igando/Ikotun Corridor would take off.

"The scheme is important in our quest to bring public transportation closer to the people. The success is evident in the wide spread interest in developing similar approaches in the Nigerian cities. The successes of the Mile12-CMS BRT lite have been dependent on a holistic approach that involved re-organisation of the bus industry among others," he added.

He commended the management of LAMATA, and members of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the government partners in the BRT scheme, for their commitment in sustaining the scheme in spite of challenges they face daily.


The Nation (http://www.thenationonlineng.com/dynamicpage.asp?id=79879)

Good news!

Great Fashola is really doing a good job is truly a forward thinker, and I ask him may he condider running for president in 2011. Note: Julius Berger reall needs competition, there work is average at best. peace..love...and nigeria

Great Fashola is really doing a good job is truly a forward thinker, and I ask him may he condider running for president in 2011. Note: Julius Berger reall needs competition, there work is average at best. peace..love...and nigeria

Fashola has got a whole lot of Job ahead of him....as for 2011, he needs to run as governor again and not president!!!

"Fashola has got a whole lot of Job ahead of him....as for 2011, he needs to run as governor again and not president!!!"

yEAH U ARE ACTUALLY RIGHT TAHT WAS MORE A KNOCK AGAINST OUR SITTING PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION. I JUST WANT YAR DUA OUT QUICKLY, IMMEDIATELY,FAST,URGENTLY...I THINK U GET THE POINT

You cannot use the governor prospective action in Lagos state to judge his national output when he become the president of the country,Imtheman! There's great different from both sides.

Gridlock at Lagos ports

The persisting congestion at the Lagos ports has been taking its toll on the nation’s economy, with manufacturers crying out over its harmful effects on their operations. In the last four months, the ports have been crowded with about 18,000 containers. Ships have had to wait endlessly to berth at Tincan and Apapa ports as a result of the crisis.

In response to the ugly phenomenon, the Federal Government, last week, directed that 6,000 containers be moved from Lagos to the eastern port at Onne. There was an earlier directive that all the overtime containers at the ports be cleared within 60 days. To encourage them to come forward, owners of such goods have been asked not to pay any demurrage. Besides, the government has cancelled eight local shipping charges at all the nation’s seaports.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has alerted the nation to its members’ inability to clear raw materials for their various factories. The LCCI President, Mr. Solomon Onafowokan, has rightly described the crisis as a failure of the systems and institutions connected with the management of the nation’s international trade operations and processes. “The bureaucratic and tedious, time-consuming cargo clearing processes have persisted. The port reforms raised expectations of improvements, but recent experience has shown that these expectations were misplaced…”, he lamented.

There are alarming reports that up to 117 manufacturing firms have suspended or scaled down their operations due to inability to clear their imported raw materials at the Lagos ports. Mostly affected are chemical-based companies like the paints and plastic manufacturers, where more than 6,500 workers, representing about 25 per cent of the total workforce of the two sectors, have been sent on compulsory leave. There are also concerns over high and compounding interest charges on funds used for importation by firms, as the bulk of the funds came from banks. As a major government’s revenue earner after oil, the present gridlock at the nation’s ports poses a great threat to revenue generation.

As usual, the bottleneck has spawned another round of buckpassing. While the Nigeria Customs Services has blamed the problem on fraudulent declaration by importers, customs officials are being accused of extortion by importers. The nation’s ports, no doubt, are still hobbled by bureaucracy, obsolete laws, systemic corruption, multiplicity of agencies, excessive and unapproved charges and lack of sufficient personnel. Others include domination of freight industry by multinationals, inadequate trucks for the immediate evacuation of allocated cargoes, delays associated with confirmation of papers.

The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Alhaji Abdulsallam Mohammed, linked the present problem to inadequate human capacity, adding that there had been an astronomical increase in the volume of imports without a corresponding increase in human capacity building for cargo handlers. “In 1999, about 22 million metric tonnes of cargo were handled by the NPA but by 2009, the volume has gone astronomically to more than 60 million metric tonnes, with no corresponding increase in manpower and skill acquisition or improvement.” Other factors, according to him, are manual inspection process, the comatose infrastructure at the ports as well as the collapse of the nation’s railway system. Yet, for a long time, government has done little to reverse the awful trend.

While it takes 48 hours to clear goods in Benin Republic and six hours in United Arab Emirates ports, it takes a minimum of two weeks in Nigeria. This has, invariably, worsened the nation’s cost of doing business, and ruined the real sector as a result of which many companies have been relocating. Yet, the cabal feasting on the rot at the ports is having a field day.

The government should immediately implement necessary measures at decongesting the seaports. The Minister of Transport, Alhaji Ibrahim Bio, should produce a blueprint for making the nation’s ports more attractive to importers. There is need to rehabilitate the infrastructure, computerize port administration, strengthen the clearing system, streamline the activities of various agencies, repeal obsolete laws, stop all unreasonable charges and expose the syndicate that is feeding on the widespread corruption at the ports.

punchng.com (http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20090319037853)

The new Simpson Road Waste Transfer Loading Station and Trucks

http://www.tundefashola.org/archives/photos/2009/03/19/20090319L14.jpg

http://www.tundefashola.org/archives/photos/2009/03/19/20090319L19.jpg

http://www.tundefashola.org/archives/photos/2009/03/19/20090319L18.jpg

http://www.tundefashola.org/archives/photos/2009/03/19/20090319L15.jpg

What type of Wastes?

That waste station have been comatose for more than 15 years....good to know that the Govt have finally decided to put it to good use.

Also far behind the second picture above, I can see the Govt is about to make use of ''agonyin village'' -anybody who knows that place well will know what am talking about. It use to be known for its notoriety and also the agonyin people use to occupy that place

good!

Lagos Takes Possession of Oworonsoki Jetty

Lagos State Government on Thursday took over the four jetties released by the federal authorities, with the one at Oworonsoki inspected by Governor Babatunde Fashola.

The other jetties released to boost the plan in Lagos for water transportation include those on the Marina on Lagos Island, in Ijora, and Ajegunle.

The release of the jetties was the outcome of consultations by the committee President Umaru Yar'Adua set up to find amicable solution to various contentious issues between Abuja and Lagos.

A joint statement signed by committee co-Chairmen, Yayale Ahmed, (who is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation), and Olasupo Sasore, Lagos Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, also gave the state government the go ahead to acquire the properties on Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Right of Way.

The state government wants to build the bridge to relieve traffic on Lekki Highway and Victoria Island.

The statement said the properties, whose owners will be entitled to compensation, include number 16 Ruxton Road, 15, 38, and 40 Alexander Avenue, Ikoyi.

The Old Broad Street Prison will also be handed over to the state government, which will, in turn, assist the Federal Government in developing another prison in the long term.

Also on Thursday, Fashola commissioned the Simpson Transfer Loading Station on Lagos Island, and restated the commitment of his administration to fulfilling all electoral promises .

The loading station, which has the capacity for storing and treating a minimum 600 tonnes of waste per day and 1000 tonnes of waste at full capacity, is the first of such stations to be located across the state to compact waste into smaller volumes for easier evacuation to dumpsites with fewer trucks.

Fashola said with the other plans lined up by his administration, the state is inching towards its appellation as the Centre of Excellence in terms of cleanliness.

He disclosed that he has also directed that civil works should commence immediately at Marini Transfer Loading Station in Oshodi, after which Ogombo Transfer Loading Station would be built.

allafrica.com (http://allafrica.com/stories/200903200298.html)

Lagos seals off firms for environment law non-compliance

ABOUT 5,000 workers of three companies were thrown out of office on Monday when the Lagos State Environment Protection Agency sealed off their premises for not complying with the state environmental law.


The companies included, WAHUM Company Limited, a manufacturing company at Adeniyi Jones in Ikeja; Positive Packaging Company in Ilupeju and Habib Global Venture at Igando Road.


The head of Ecological and Conservation Department, (LASEPA), Mrs. Grace Yaya, who led the team that shut the companies, said that the companies had been served notice to clean up their environment, but they had refused.


According to a statement from the agency, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, WAHUM Company Limited allegedly violated the law by discharging untreated effluent indiscriminately into the public drains, silting of drainages outside the company premises, non-functional effluent treatment plants and stagnant drainage.


The agency also faulted Positive Packaging Company for poor management of adhesive waste and poor solid waste management, while Habib Venture was closed down for operating illegal tank firm.

Tribune (http://www.tribune.com.ng/24032009/news/news5.html)

Lagos seals off firms for environment law non-compliance



Tribune (http://www.tribune.com.ng/24032009/news/news5.html)
That's a good thing to do!

i never thought i would hear this happen

Lagos is really doing things rightly by enforcing the law.

http://www.e-punch.com/Web/Article/2009/03/24/037/24_03_2009_037_001.jpg

http://www.e-punch.com/Web/Article/2009/03/26/047/26_03_2009_047_001.jpg

Fashola Launches 195 Air-Conditioned Buses

Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola, this morning, launched 195 new 43-seater Daewoo air-conditioned buses to complement the fleet of LAGBUS.

At the launch, Fashola said more jobs will be created for Lagosians, adding that with this, LAGBUS now has 700 staff. “I expect all of those who will be engaged in driving these buses and attending to the public to value the job and treat passengers with cheer and courtesy. These buses must be models of safety on our highways rather than sources of terror to road users.

“LAGBUS captains and other officers must realise that the buses are your offices, therefore, you have the responsibility to properly maintain, clean and care for them,” Fashola said. Commissioner for Transportation, Prof. Bamidele Badejo, said in 35 months of operation, LAGBUS is arguably the largest intra-state bus company operating in West Africa, creating jobs for over 1,500 personnel directly or indirectly. The Managing Director, LAGBUS Assets Management Limited, Mr. Babatunde Disu, said “we are pleased to inform you that despite the infrastructure challenges we are facing, we have 21 operational routes across Lagos state.”

Fashola Launches 195 Air-Conditioned Buses

http://www.tundefashola.org/archives/photos/2009/03/26/20090326L03.jpg

Lagos is really doing things rightly by enforcing the law.

Fashola has obviously taken notice of the fact of that the only way to properly obtain organization the cleanliness of a big city is to first organize and clean up its inhabitants, and the only way to properly do that is to lawfully make them feel the pain of the law.. by hitting them were it hurts most; THEIR POCKETS. Take their money via fines, and their freedom via jail time.. and soon enough they'll learn their lesson and begin to act act as though they have some sense. :lol:

Lagos megacity: Facelifting a slum



LAGOS (AFP) — The first thing that used to hit visitors to Nigeria's commercial hub was a gridlock of rusty yellow buses and the tumbledown stalls of the vast Oshodi market -- the whole amid the unrelenting din of horns, sirens and vendors.

"The first thing they see upon arrival is Oshodi," the governor of Lagos state Babatunde Fashola once remarked of the sprawling network minutes from the airport along the main road into the city.

"I don't think as an investor I would want to come back once I see that chaos."

For Fashola, Oshodi was "the shame of a nation and the shame of a state".

Now the chaos of Oshodi is no more. Lagos, Nigeria's most populous city with somewhere between 15 and 17 million people, has decided to overhaul its image.

Fashola, a lawyer, likes to tell how a trip he made to Singapore before becoming governor in 2007 gave him a model on which to base his transformed megacity.

Focus has been put on revamping the transportation and road sector, improving waste management and water provision, property development and the environment.

The plan will not come cheap in this country still ranked among the world's 20 poorest nations despite its place as the world's eighth largest oil producer.

Plans are to fund the revamp through public-private sector partnership, bond issue and borrowing.

Lagos state government last year issued a bond of 50 billion naira (340 million dollars, 250 million euros) in the capital market, while banks have pledged around one billion dollars in loans and advances.

It hopes to raise between 250 and 275 billion naira in bonds in the coming years, but the global economic downturn could make that plan unfeasible.

But the biggest challenge appears to be power supply.

Despite its oil wealth Nigeria is desperately short of electricity, producing around 3,000 megawatts of electricity for a population of 140 million people. By comparison, South Africa produces 13 times more electricity for a population one third the size of Nigeria?s.

Nigerian factories, hospitals, businesses, homes are all run on individual diesel-run generators, rattling and belching out smoke.

Lagos has started to experiment with green energy, installing solar-powered street lights and security cameras.

Notorious for its traffic jams dubbed "go slows", Lagos' highways are up for expansion. Roads get cleaned daily these days, potholes are being filled up.

Garbage gets collected, though still not often enough, and vacant lots where youths played football among mounds of trash and herds of scrawny goats are turning into lush green parks.

Traders who had pitched their makeshift stall along the railway tracks have been kicked off, and gone are the shanties and rusty corrugated sheets that used to serve as cover for criminal gangs.

Those who were evicted are not happy about the reforms but are mostly resigned.

"I have been deprived of my means of livelihood. My shop was razed without them providing an alternative," said textile trader Muina Adaranijo.

At Marina, Lagos' central business district that houses banks and major companies, a special police unit patrols the streets.

Kayode Opeifa, special adviser on transportation says more than 200 red-and-blue modern commuter buses are plying the Lagos roads as part of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) programme.

"We have created designated routes for the buses to ensure fast and efficient transportation system," he said.

Opeifa said government plans to construct a light rail road system as well as start ferry services.

There are even plans to turn the Bar Beach waterfront, a former execution ground beloved of religious sects, into a Dubai-style luxury development.

"I don't think as an investor I would want to come back once I see that chaos." I wouldn't go back to invest ,if it's me, after seeing huge slum and chaos.

sA2Z_3NL2PU

"I don't think as an investor I would want to come back once I see that chaos." I wouldn't go back to invest ,if it's me, after seeing huge slum and chaos.


Whats your point? That statement was credited to Fashola himself while he was trying to make a case for the total revamp of Oshodi.

FOtC, I am doubting you? Where are you from If a I may ask?

What? Yes! I aired my view from that piece and I don't give a damn about what you think. Don't I have the right to say what I think right for m o say?(freedom that bind us in developed world must be upheld).Do you ever read to comprehend?I don't know where am from.But, I have been around here before you.

Of the whole article, you singled out that little statement credited to the man who himself was making a case on why Oshodi should be revamped. This is typical of what so many of you guys from the so called ''developed world'' do! You turn blind eyes to 99 percent of positivity and lay emphasis and highlight the 1 percent negativity to the whole world and you end up saying its freedom of speech! Freedom of speech my ass!

I don't care if you have been on SSC right from birth or you have posted so many irrelevant posts and started so many ''out of point'' threads, what matters to me is balancing the story instead of ''stylishly'' ridiculing Nigerians on here! It is obvious!!!!!

^^ Before this gets too nasty, may I suggest that you both may be getting at the same point. I think FOTC was agreeing with Fashola on the need to clean up Oshodi and the other slums in Lagos, or at least that's what I got from his brief quote.

Both Sammyjay and FOTC along with Hakon, Tbite, Naija and many others contribute a great deal to this thread, and while we all may not always agree, we should give each other the benefit of the doubt.

Lagos unveils Ikeja model city plan, tasks stakeholders over delivery

The Guardian, Monday, March 30, 2009
Lagos unveils Ikeja model city plan, tasks stakeholders over delivery
By Emmanuel Badejo

CLOSE on the heels of the recently developed new master plan for the Lekki region in Lagos, stakeholders in the Ikeja area at the weekend took their turn to deliberate on an outline new plan for the city's administrative and industrial centre.

The initiative is coming almost one decade after the completion of the UNDP sponsored Master plan for Lagos Metropolitan Area (1980-2000 AD).

The event, held within the expansive Eko multi-purpose hall at Radio Lagos, afforded stakeholders a medium at which to rob minds on the project, which is coming after the completion of earlier Model City Plans for Ikoyi-Victoria Island, which was approved by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola in December 2007.

The new project will cover an area of 5,630 hectares, and the land-use pattern has been categorised into institutional, residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, circulation and wet land.

The project area is almost fully built-up with pockets of undeveloped land. Housing layouts are of both close and open patterns. The traditional core areas are Brazilian type and layouts showed little or no modern planning standards. The core areas are presently being enveloped by modern architectural masterpieces made up of residential and commercial developments.

The traditional core areas are Ipodo, Alausa, Oregun, Onigbongbo, Isheri, Ojodu and Agidingbi among others. Developments with modern planning design standards are common in Government Reserved Area (GRA) Ikeja, Wemabod Estates, and other several government and private residential estates located at Allen Avenue, Opebi, Alausa, Oregun, Ojodu, Ogba, and Omole to mention a few.

Under the plan, the popular Computer Village will be rebuilt to meet international standards. Also, some of the houses within the environ will be demolished and rebuilt in high-rise structures, befitting the mega-city status.

State officials have chronicled of the city's challenges include, among others:

*Agglomeration of several traditional developments like Alausa, Ogba Agidingbi, Olusosun, Onigbongbo

*Sporadic change of use and illegal conversion along Allen Avenue, Opebi Street, G.R.A., Ikeja, Igba-isheri Road

*Growth of urban slums and blighted neighbourhoods

*Encroachment on drainage alignment, gorges, canals, stream setbacks

*Traffic congestion on major roads; and,

*Emerging urban land uses like event centres, eateries, shopping plazas, private schools, places of worship, petrol filling stations and office complexes.

The Ikeja Model City Plan, according to officials, "is envisioned with the objective of curbing these ugly and disturbing trends through the creation of a functional, healthy and beautiful city to live, work and recreate. This concept is an attempt at providing our urban centres with the needed adequate planning for the envisaged future growth and development."

Key initiatives proposed to address the trends include:

*Designation of certain corridors within the study area as high streets, for instance Allen Avenue, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Isaac John Street

*Preservation of green areas and parks like the Opebi Park

*Development of multi-storey car parks at Oshodi, Ikeja, Opebi and Alausa

*Creation of activity centres at Oregun and Ojodu among others

*Creation of mixed-use corridors at Allen Avenue, Opebi, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Isaac John, Yakoyo, Adebowale Street, Wempco, Isheri Road

*Construction of bridges and flyovers at strategic locations like Omole, Allen junction, Oke-Ira and Odo Iya Alaro

*Upgrading and improvement of road furniture

*Maintenance/construction/dredging/channelisation of canals, drains and gorges; and,

*Implementation of the abandoned Metroline project for mass transportation system.

Others are:

*Definition of alignment/embankment of gorges in order to enhance their value and prevent erosion and squatter settlements

*Revitalisation and upgrading of the traditional core settlements through urban renewal programmes at Ipodo, Onigbongbo, Oregun, Adekunle, Olusosun

*Increase in density in order to accommodate the expected population growth within the Study Area for the plan period

*Reversion of Ikeja G.R.A (Core areas) to its original exclusive residential use

*Review of Approval Orders for various schemes within Ikeja

*Creation of informal sector enclaves at Odo Iya Alaro, behind MKO Garden, behind Alade Market

*Development of ultra-modern shopping malls at Strabag Yard, Alade Market and Opebi Mixed Development area

*Revitalisation of the Ikeja Central Business District (CBD); and,

*Formulation of institutional and legal framework.

The Ikeja Model City Plan when completed and implemented is to "proffer realistic measures and standards for the transformation of the state capital for sustainable growth and position Lagos as an enviable global mega city." The plan period is year 2010 to 2020.

Governor Fashola in his keynote address described the initiative as a milestone towards ensuring a better planned liveable and healthy business and human environment through innovative and suitable physical planning and balanced urban development in Lagos State.

Official statistics ascribe a megacity status to Lagos, with a population of well over 18 million people and current eight per cent growth rate, "which translate to burgeoning challenges/implications on power supply/energy, poor infrastructure condition, security/crime control, environmental quality, traffic and transportation system, and urban management to mention a few."

Fashola noted that about a decade after the completion of the UNDP sponsored Master plan for Lagos Metropolitan Area (1980-200 AD), which identified 35 Urban Districts, these areas still exhibited some traits of infrastructure decay, unsightly living conditions, housing shortages, imbalanced land use developments, illegal change of use, erratic power/energy supply, and, inadequate recreational facilities.

The impact of such neglect according to him, have been far-reaching. He, therefore, sought for cooperation of all stakeholders in achieving the project. "This is to further reinforce our passion for teamwork strategy and the involvement of all and sundry in virtually all activities and projects embarked upon by the state government...we are all encouraged to partake in this dialogue and presentation with a view to fashioning a renewed and truly democratic physical planning and urban development process that will be worthy of emulation for a state that is truly the centre of excellence," the governor said.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Francisco Bolaji Abosede, in his welcome address recalled that Ikeja, the capital of Lagos State, was one of the five old Divisional headquarters, the others being Lagos Island, Badagry, Epe and Ikorodu. The study area comprises of Ikeja Local Government Council Area, Ojodu Local Council Development Area and Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area.

The commissioner identified some of the problems confronting Ikeja to include housing congestion, urban crime, traffic grid lock, inadequate supply of water and electricity, flooding and lack of open spaces among others.

Giving details of the plan, the commissioner said: "Among others, the proposed Ikeja Model City plan provides for designation of High Street Corridors, preservation and conservation of green areas, development of Opebi Park, as the heart of the Model City, creation of activity centres, upgrading of physical infrastructure.

Abosede said the plan would improve and revitalise the state capital as a centre for investment, tourism, industry and commence. It will also facilitate the efforts of the state government in the redevelopment of Lagos as a model mega city in Africa."

Like the governor, Abosede appealed to all stakeholders to live up to their responsibilities by participate in the planning process, which he said is in accordance with provisions of the State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2005.

But experts, who lauded the project, saw funding as one major challenge that could hinder the intention of the state in turning the city around.

Veteran planner, Mrs. Kehinde George, apart from seeking enabling legislation for its implementation, suggested a five-yearly review of the plan. She said: "Ikeja is an old settlement and the public presentation is a recognition of the fact that planning is not static, but dynamic, and should always recognise changes in needs of the community being planned for.

"Public and private sector funding of the implementation is crucial to make the model plan a reality. The instrument of the implementation machinery also has to be put in place. Continuous monitoring and five yearly review of the plan is of paramount importance," she concluded.

Another planner, Mr. Moses Ogunleye, raised concern over the implementation of the plan, without which the project could not be monitored.

"My concern is on the issue of implementation. There have been steps towards achieving laudable projects like this, which often end without proper implementation." Ogunleye advocated for government to involve capable partners in the area of funding in order to deliver the plan, as and when due.

Hailing the proposed plan, Mr. Kunle Awobodu said the proposed high-rise buildings that are to be built under the scheme may be endangered given the city's nearness to both local and international airport. He therefore called on the state to revisit the report of the technical committee on development and control, which he noted would be of tremendous advantage.

To tackle the issue of funding, Awobodu urged the state government to look both inward and outward through partnering with viable intentional and local financial institutions.

Ikeja, the capital city of Lagos State covers an area of approximately 5,630 hectares, representing 1.57 per cent of the state's land area and consists of Ikeja Local Government Area and two Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) namely Onigbongbo and Ojodu.

The project area over the years, has witnessed significant growth and development both physically and demographically. Ikeja has a population of 533,237, representing 3.45 per cent of the state's population while its projected population for the plan period (2010 - 2020) is 1,062,833 using an annual growth rate of 5.05 per cent.

Excellent news.

Welcome Fiki boats, goodbye traffic jams

IF everything goes according to plan, it may be goodbye to the recurring nightmare of frustrating traffic jams on Lagos roads which has defied different government control measures.

This is courtesy of a planned water transport system to be introduced by FIKI Express Marine Supplies and Boats, and if the plan sails through, expectations are that it will be a welcome relief to commuters in the state.

Vanguard Metro gathered that four state-of-the-art 42 seater boats have arrived the state with the licensed company just waiting the state governments’s green light to commence operations. Feelers are that the state government which described the initiative as complementary and laudable has given its nod to the alternative transport system and is putting pen to papers for its immediate take-off.

The initiative which report said is powered by Fidelity Bank have continue to receive commendations from members of the public, especially those whose work places are located on the Island. Mr. Felix Etim is a banker with the corporate headquarters of one of the commercial banks and says he can not wait for the exercise to kick off. “For me, what FIKI Express is about doing is long overdue considering the fact that the entire Lagos State is more of an Island.

The state is surrounded by water, including canals. So I see no reason why none of the successive governments was able to utilize and harness this alternative transport potential to ease the road traffic situation in the state. I understand the Lateef Jakande’s administration tried it in the ‘80s and early ‘90s but it died prematurely.

Now that providence has touched a Nigerian to resuscitate it, my prayer is that the state government should hasten up to grant him all the necessary approvals so that the project can take off. I say this without being selfish because we that have our offices on the Island, suffer the most.

At the close of work we can’t go home immediately because one is bound to spend the better part of the night in the frustrating traffic jam if one dares it. But since there is a project in the pipeline to provide an alternative transport system, it is my fervent prayer that it starts without further delay,” he said.

Another respondent who identified himself as Oke Nnanna, an Insurance worker who also has his office located on the Island could not but praise the project which he said was “timely”. To him, FIKI Express deserves all the necessary support both from the state government and the entire Lagosians for coming out with such a project.

He said: “You know my job entails moving from one location to another, sometimes from the Island to the mainland and of course, you know what it takes to do that on the road. Though I am chauffeur-driven, I could still feel the impact. Sometimes I feign sleep to avoid seeing the long unending traffic jam on the roads. Although the present government of Babatunde Fashola has done so much to ease the situation, the fact remains that the population of car owners and commercial motorists cannot be compared to any elsewhere in the continent.

This is also compounded by the population of people in Lagos. Until the dislodgment of traders in Oshodi, we all knew what it was to drive through either Oshodi Oke or Oshodi Isale. There cannot be anything better than this alternative transport system being touted. The state governor who is development-oriented should please ensure that his commissioners who should oversee the workability of this project are not too overbearing as to discourage the young man. It is a welcome development”.

On his part, the man behind the project, Mr. Taofiki Kayode Balogun who confessed his passion for the boat business said it was more of a complementary effort to that which the state government had already put in place. He claimed to have inherited the boating business from his late father Alhaji Sekoni Akanbi Balogun who he described as lover of hospitality and water business. “ What we are doing did not just start today, it started with our late father who exhibited rare passion for hotel and water businesses. As a child I grew up to like it and have stuck to it ever since.

This project is expected to complement Governor Babatunde Fashola’s developmental efforts in the state. He is just a rare breed and that is why we said we should complement his efforts with the provision of this alternative transport system.

This project is made possible through the support of Fidelity Bank’s MD, Mr. Reginald Ihejiani, who did not hesitate to identify with it immediately I approached him. The 42-seater boats are made in Hamriya Sharjah, United Arab Emirate (UAE) and has features which include two toilets, 32-inch flat screen television, 200 watts Bose speakers and amplifiers, 500 horse power engine and of course, the spacious deck for sight-seeing and partying.

In addition to the boats, I have also brought in 10 yachts which come with the luxury of owner’s bedroom, children’s own bedroom, air conditioners, an adequately equipped kitchenette with hot plates, micro-wave and bathroom in addition to a lounge. This is part of my moderate contribution to complement the developmental efforts of the Governor and boost tourism potentials in the state,” he said.

Lagos Marks 1,923 Buildings for Demolition

Lagos State Government has said 1,923 buildings that have structural defect have been marked out for demolition in the state to prevent further incidences of collapse

State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Franciso Abosede, disclosed this on Thursday during a ministerial briefing to commemorate the second anniversary of the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola.

Abosede explained that the move would help avert future loss of lives, adding that the ministry would as a matter of importance carry out periodic enforcement exercise in the state to ensure that residents comply with building rules and regulation.

He identified the locations where such buildings with structural defects are found as Lagos Island, Ajeromi-Ifelodun and Somolu/Kosofe Local Government Areas.

Abosede said 976 of the buildings are located in Lagos Island with 617 recommended for renovation and 346 recommended for test while 13 will be demolished.

Also, 656 of such buildings were identified in Ajeromi/Ifelodun with 320 of them slated for renovation and 233 subjected to test while the remaining 103 will be demolished.

He said in 291 buildings were identified in Somolu/Kosofe council area, of which 214 will be re novated while 77 recommended for demolition.

The commissioner also disclosed that henceforth government has made it compulsory for anybody wishing to erect a building other than a bungalow in any part of the state to take out an All Risk Insurance Policy on such building to cover its occupants and their properties.

On the mega city project of the state government, Abosede assured that within the next seven years the project would be completed.

It would be recalled that Fashola at the site of a recently collapsed building had blamed the rampant problem in the state on violation of the state planning laws.

"We continue to insist, even though some very dangerous people continue to say we are very uncaring. I wish that they were here now to come and give us back the lives we have lost.

allafrica.com (http://allafrica.com/stories/200904100702.html)

The changing face of a Central Business District

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Obika Igwe could not believe it. He cast a second glance at his watch to make sure he was right. It had taken him ‘just’ two minutes to drive from Carter Bridge into Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Idumota, Lagos Island.

Five years ago, the same journey would have lasted, if he was lucky, two hours! The avalanche of impediments on the bridge: bus drivers picking and dropping passengers at their whim and caprice; hawkers and street traders meandering through the traffic, oblivious of the havoc they are causing; and abandoned molues left at the mercy of hoodlums, who effectively utilize it as their hideouts from where they unleash terror to hapless passers-by; all contribute to make smooth flow of traffic on the bridge almost impossible.

Geography

Idumota is situated within the Lagos Central Business District (CBD), which extends from the foot of Carter Bridge, westwards, through Adeniji Adele Road to Marina (Inner and Outer) up to Tafawa Balewa Square.

The CBD also includes Tinubu Square, Idumagbo Avenue, Eko Bridge, Broad, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Odunlami, Ereko, Martins, Apongbon, Campbell, Breadfruit, Abibu-Oki, Oke Olowogbowo, Davis, Church, Docemo, Iga Idunganran, Kakawa, Campos, Bamgbose, Alli Balogun, Ehingbeti (Marina Foreshore), Ebute Ero, Force Road, King George Road, Balogun Streets; back to Idumota and to Carter Bridge. All flyovers in Lagos Island also fall within the Central Business District.

The CBD is the focal point of a city. It is the commercial, office, retail, and cultural centre of the city and usually is the centre point for transportation networks.

For decades, the Lagos State Government had battled to sanitize its CBD and make it compete with other business districts across the world.

The state appeared to be losing the battle as both petty and organized crime went unabated. Touts, pick pockets, bag snatchers, bank robbers, and youth clashes, all seemed to be having a field day.

Incidentally, most business districts around the world faced similar problem of dealing with high crime rate in their early days.

For instance, by the 1990s, the Johannesburg CBD was a no-go zone and a virtual ghost town as businesses fled the area due to a crime wave that hit the area.

In its move to redevelop it, the Johannesburg city government installed CCTV cameras all over the CBDs, which eventually decreased crime dramatically.

To combat the increasing menace by hoodlums in the CBD, the Lagos state government enacted a law meant to keep the activities of these hoodlums in check in 2003.

But it was not until 2007 that it began its implementation and enforcement by creating the Lagos Central Business District Management Office.

The responsibilities of the CBD Management Office included among others; to create an environment devoid of any hindrance to smooth business operation, regular maintenance of all the infrastructures within the zone, promote and oversee public/private investment necessary for furthering the transformation of CBD, effective and efficient environmental service and improvement of solid waste management within the CBD, effective and efficient traffic management and reduction of vehicular traffic in the CBD.

Early days

“When the CBD began their activities, we usually run into problems of traders engaging our boys in violent fights when we try to evacuate them from the streets,” said Oyinlomo Danmole, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Government on Central Business District. He said the fights often result in some of their officers being inflicted with serious bodily injuries by the obstinate traders.

“Initially, little success was recorded as traders continued to display their wares on the roads and pedestrian walkways and indiscriminate parking by drivers continued.”

By January 2008, in line with the state government’s declaration of zero tolerance for street trading, full-scale traffic and sanitation enforcement commenced in Lagos CBD to arrest further deterioration of the environment and promote orderliness in human and vehicular traffic in the area.

The government began the enforcement of the Public Order law, contained in the Criminal Code and Environmental Sanitation Laws of 2003. These laws included: prohibition of parking and abandoning of vehicle along the CBD; ban on street trading and illegal markets; outlawing begging for or gathering or collecting alms within the CBD; arresting any person wandering within the CBD with intent for a criminal activity; arresting any suspected person or reputed thief with no visible means of income and cannot give an account of himself within the CBD; prohibiting any form of extortion by touts and miscreants; littering of the streets within the CBD; defecating and urinating in the drainage or open spaces; and erecting structures on road setbacks.

The penalties for these crimes range from payment of N1,000 - N150,000 fines to outright imprisonment of up to one year.

Dislodged traders

The enforcement of some of these laws, however, has left many with no means of subsistence. Many traders, who usually trade on the streets, are now dislodged.

Chukwudi Okere, who trades along Balogun Street, said, “Since I could not afford to pay for a shop in this Lagos Island, I display my wares on the streets. But when CBD officials started seizing my goods, almost on a regular basis, I had to stop selling.”

Mr. Okere is among the numerous able-bodied young men, which according to Mr. Igwe, have either relocated from the state or are now roaming the streets due to lack of what to do.

“The state should have, at least, made provisions for the street traders instead of out rightly evacuating them. The provision must not be within the CBD because they might not afford the rent here. The cheapest shop here (Nnamdi Azikiwe Street) is about N500, 000,” Mr. Igwe said.

Mr. Igwe also complained about the over-zealousness of some of the CBD task force officials. “Some of them (CBD officials) act like animals. They kick and strike at women old enough to be their mothers, scatter their wares all over the ground, and even the cries of the women do not touch them. They behave like savages.”

Despite the grievances and complaints coming from the traders, most of them conceded the CBD had done well in trying to bring sanity into the island.

“I have to confess, I never believed a time will come when one can move freely in this market without molestation. The CBD, despite the ‘madness’ of some of their officers, have done well,” said Mr. Igwe.

234next.com (http://www.234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/5398567-147/The_changing_face_of_a_Central.csp)

Temporary homes coming for displaced residents under Lagos redevelopment plans


Apparently anticipating the likely dislocation of people to make way for reconstruction projects, the state authorities have opted to build facilities to accommodate affected persons while the projects are underway, pending the time they would find permanent accommodation or be moved back into the completed schemes as the case may be

WITH a handful of urban redevelopment plans coming on stream in the nation's most populous state, a policy shift recently approved by the authorities in Lagos will soon see the construction of permanent facilities that will temporarily house groups of people that will be dislocated under the new schemes.

Already, new 'model city master plans' have been commissioned for no fewer than four city districts, which on implementation will yield a rash of physical development projects.

These include the Badagry master plan, which contract has been awarded to a consultant and preliminary surveys carried out. There are also the Lagos Mainland Central master plan, on which preliminary survey work has commenced, the Ikorodu master plan for which field work has been concluded and the report is ready for review, the Alimosho model city plan, for which the state's consultancy board has approved the initial proposal for its preparation.

Notable projects expected to emerge from the plans include markets, housing schemes and shopping plazas, among others.

But senior state officials disclosed recently that the state, anticipating the likely dislocation of people to make way for reconstruction projects, has opted to build facilities to accommodate affected persons while the projects are underway, pending the time they would find permanent accommodation or be moved back into the completed schemes as the case may be.

Consequently, according to the state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Francisco Bolaji Abosede, the state Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has ordered concerned ministries and agencies engaged in physical development projects to look into the possibility of acquiring land from the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), for the construction of temporary accommodation for the affected people.

The idea, he said, was to reduce the hardship or inconvenience that such relocation exercises would have on displaced groups or residents. Already, the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has started taking an inventory of properties earmarked for redevelopment and the number of people that may be affected in the process.

Among the areas that the exercise would be carried out are Isale Gangan on Lagos Island, some villages in Lekki corridor where road expansion project is ongoing and, the area earmarked for the proposed International Airport located along the Ibeju-Lekki/Epe axis.

The proposed airport is to sit on 120 hectares of land, stretching from Eleko junction in Ibeju Lekki area to Okegun Bridge and extended to Oriba area in Epe Local government.

According to Abosede, government had acquired the land for a long time, though, admitted that if there was need to displace any body, such people would either receive compensation or given accommodation, which the proposed hostels would serve.

For instance, the ministry, in collaboration with the Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project (LMDGP), has embarked on the preparation of development plans for some blighted areas in addition to Isale Gangan. These include schemes for Princess, Aroloya, Anikantamo and Ijora Oloye sub-area 12, among others. The redevelopment projects are to be executed in partnership with private developers under public private participation (PPP) programmes.

Official source disclosed recently that the state authorities anticipated that owners of properties in affected areas, such as on Lagos Island, to form cooperative groups of common purpose and similar interests, in order to develop their properties together.

The source said: "All they need to do is to forward their proposal to the government, government would then forward the proposal to the office of PPP, where it would be considered. Upon the approval of their development proposal, government would supervise the development.

"However, before the completion of the project, the property owners would be accommodated in the hostels that are being planned for the purpose of temporary accommodation, in order to minimise the inconvenience to them in the course of redevelopment periods."

For persons whose properties were affected in the Lekki-corridor, government, according to Abosede, had conceded to regularise their document "in the spirit of give and take".

However, to remove skirmishes that may arise, Abosede said: "The ministry intends to pursue further the public participation through inclusive governance by intensifying our efforts in public-private partnership, expand the scope for a sustainable development as well as assert our statutory responsibilities should the need arise", to give Lagos the new face as one of the world mega-city, he said.

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Here is the link to the new Oshodi ...amazing!
QIQe2kpjAR4

Amazing indeed.

it is truly amazing fellas. i hope it can stay that way :cheers:

Things will only change if everyone works together. The middle class should be the main role players in working together with the government to make things better. Just a small group of individuals who can just take it upon themselves to be hands on and clean that part of the city, others will definately join in.

I'm glad that we have this kind of photos so that when things come right tomorow, we can show our kids on how bad things were but with determination and wokring as a collective, things do change.

That's a nice to hear,Pule.Not only that it will help to understand the pace of their development.

Ferry services resurface in Lagos waterways

Lagos residents may soon heave a sigh of relief as the confusion and hassles that characterise transportation in the state are consigned into oblivion.
This is thanks to the commissioning on Tuesday of the Ebute Ipakodo Metro Ferry Service in Ikorodu by Governor Babatunde Fashola who pledged his administration’s commitment to deliver a multi-modal mass transportation system that will raise the quality of life of the people of Lagos.

Gov. Fashola told the elated crowd, including top government functionaries, traditional rulers and private sector operators at the jetty that his administration was committed to the provision of multi-modal mass transportation system which requires not only the use of water, but also the roads and the rails.

“Multi-modal mass transportation is something that this State has signed onto and it requires us to use not only God’s gift – water – but also the roads and the rails which by His grace we will soon deliver to Lagos,” the Governor said, adding that the efficiency of transportation or lack of it determines the quality of life that people live.

The Governor, who traced the history of transportation from the early days of the use of camels, noted that man, to whom God gave dominion, has continued to reinvent himself so that he has, over the years, reduced travel time from many days and weeks to just a few hours from one part of the world to the other.

Advancing other reasons for multi-modal mass transportation system, the Governor said: “Our environment is threatened and therefore transportation solutions, housing solutions, security solutions and waste management solutions must be responsive to the demands of the environment.

“The whole world, including Lagos, is looking at mass transportation in a multi-modal system to reduce the threat and the challenge of global warming and climate change. The challenge is how to take the greatest number of people with the fewest number of vehicles and therefore reduce carbon emission and protect our lives and also protect the environment”.

Gov. Fashola, who expressed joy that the residents of Ikorodu are already benefiting from water transportation without much stress declared: “I assure you that it is not only goods and passengers that we will always carry. We see a long-term plan that would enable us solve some of the problems that seem to have confounded us as a nation, problems that are inflicting pains not only on operators of businesses but also on the citizens”, adding that this would also provide opportunity for the transportation of fuel through water.

About 1.5 million people live in Ikorodu. Through the ferry services, travel time from Ikorodu to Lagos has been reduced from four hours to between 40 and 50 minutes.

He maintained that although the difficulties existing in the transport sector in the state today were not the creation of the present administration, “our administration has moved on from passing blames to taking responsibility anytime there is a challenge”.

The jetty like similar jetties being replicated in locations across the state, he said, would be capable of berthing ferries of 500 passenger capacity and would also provide packing and operational depots for cars, buses, and BRT so that as commuters leave the ferries they get into either cars, buses, or BRT to complete their journey.

Provision will also be made for berthing of pontoons that would ferry cars across the water for those who wish to drive their cars.

Fashola expressed gratitude to President Musa Yar’Adua and the Federal Government for releasing to the state some of the disused jetties as a response to appeals by the State Government to enable it roll out quickly by refurbishing existing jetties while constructing new ones, adding: “ Our people have taken over these jetties and very soon we will be handing over, after they have been refurbished, to the operators who have applied to partner with us on the project”.

Governor Fashola commended members of the Lagos State House of Assembly without whom, he noted, there would not have been either a Lagos State Waterways Authority Law or indeed a Lagos State Waterways Authority.

Its also important for the citizens to help keep the city clean. surely there are bins and skips to put the rubbish in. if we maintain the clean culture, our kids will follow.

Its also important for the citizens to help keep the city clean. surely there are bins and skips to put the rubbish in. if we maintain the clean culture, our kids will follow.
New public trash bins in Lagos that are bolted into the sidewalk.

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New public trash bins in Lagos that are bolted into the sidewalk.

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Cant see the pic JB

so what is this eyo festival sef?

What's this? I swiped it off Fashola's site........

Looks like an hospital..


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ace

What's this? I swiped it off Fashola's site........

Looks like an hospital..


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Clinical Sciences building at the Lagos State University College of Medicine.

Fashola signs Lagos city bill into law, offenders risk 2 year jail term

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has assented to the Lagos model city law setting the stage for strict enforcement of infrastructural regulations and effective combating of incessant cases of collapse of buildings in the state. Part of the law stipulates that any occupier, developer, or owner who embarks on any construction or erection of any structure or development facility contrary to the provisions of the physical town planning and development law of Lagos State, if found guilty, shall be liable to two years imprisonment, N1million fine or both.
Describing it as one of the most pieced legislations his administration has enacted, the governor at the signing of the bill, Monday, said that with the law, the state government is now armed to confront breakers of the state town planning laws.
Fashola, who said the new law is one of the first steps his administration is taking towards resolving the slum situation in Lagos, added however that other strategies were still underway and would be fully enforced in order to bring about the dreamed African model city.
“We made a promise to Lagosians that we would find a well thought out and sustainable solution to the issue. In the last few months we have been working and this is one of the first steps that we have taken”, he said.
He reiterated that his administration remains committed to fulfilling the promises made to Lagosians that he will find a workable solution towards effectively addressing the incidence of collapsed buildings.
Earlier, the special adviser on political and legislative matters, Abdullateef Abdulhakeem, said the bill split into 30 sections is the much awaited law for rapid urban development in the state.
“The model city development committee would be the implementation arm of the new law in their respective areas they have been designated to,” he said.

Good!

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Those micro-chips are a good idea!,they should be the norm in other areas too. oh!The need to have people`s information captured is a necessity.
VIVA LAGOS! :cheers:

Lagos releases N10bn to Julius Berger for Badagry expressway

Lagos State government has released about N10 billion to Julius Berger Plc for the twin projects of Lagos-Badagry expressway and Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge. The state Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Rotimi Oyekan, said this at a press briefing to mark the second year of Governor Babatunde Fashola in office on Tuesday.

According to him, the funding of the projects was to demonstrate the sincerity of the government in transformation and rehabilitation of infrastructure to the people of the state.

While calling on the private sector to partner with the government, Oyekan described the road expansion project as “a bold commitment of the administration in improving economic activities in the state.

“That is why we urge the residents to pay their taxes in view of the fact that national economic growth and prosperity can only be engineered through infrastructural projects.”

Speaking on Land Use charge, the commissioner said the state government met its target of N500 million in the first year of the administration, adding that the target had since been doubled.

“Performance on land use charge in 2008 was very encouraging as the targeted revenue of N500 million was doubled since the first anniversary,” he said.

tribune (http://www.tribune.com.ng/13052009/news/news13.html)

Good news!

Lagos installs 90 CCTV cameras
May 7, 2009
The Lagos State Government has installed about 90 Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras across the State to protect life and property as well as nab anyone who illegally uses the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane.
Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, commissioner for Science and Technology, who disclosed this at a radio programme, added that the cameras have been used to arrest criminals who robbed a woman because the camera recorded the incident and the robbers were later arrested by the police because their pictures were captured.
Hamzat said Information Communication Technology (ICT) has been fully deployed by the State in carrying out many government activities in the area of health services, education, judicial process and obtaining of certificate of occupancy among others.
On the possibility of vandalising the camera, Hamzat said this cannot be too possible since the locations of the cameras are not known and due to the fact that the cameras monitor one another.
According to him, “if someone is trying to tamper with camera A, camera B is surely monitoring it. We will have what we call the ring toplogy, that is some will overlap, so that if camera A and B is checking a particular direction camera C and D will also be looking at 15 per cent same direction and 85 percent of somewhere else, so by that we have an overlap”.
He informed that about 80 schools in the State have been provided with Information Communication Technology laboratories in order to give students in the State secondary schools an opportunity to interact with the outside world and at the same time improve their knowledge base. “In this regard, science base teachers have been trained on techniques for teaching science based subjects to facilitate assimilation”, he said.
On the Health Management Information System (HMIS) introduced by the State Government, the commissioner stated that this will ensure the improvement of the quality of health care delivery services in the state.
He explained that with the development, the registration of all patients in Lagos State Hospitals on a Central computer server will eliminate queues usually found in the medical record in all State hospitals and doctors will have access to patient’s medical history anywhere within the state.
He said the first phase of the project started with 3 hospitals which were used for the pilot scheme.
The hospitals are Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja; General Hospital Isolo and General Hospital Lagos.
The link of these hospitals has been commissioned since last year while the second phase involving ten General Hospitals have commenced.
The hospitals on the second phase, according to him, include General Hospital Gbagada, General Hospital Alimosho, General Hospital Orile-Agege, General Hospital Surulere, General Hospital Badagry and General Hospital Ajeromi.:okay:

Lagos installs 90 CCTV cameras
May 7, 2009
The Lagos State Government has installed about 90 Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras across the State to protect life and property as well as nab anyone who illegally uses the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane.
Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, commissioner for Science and Technology, who disclosed this at a radio programme, added that the cameras have been used to arrest criminals who robbed a woman because the camera recorded the incident and the robbers were later arrested by the police because their pictures were captured.
Hamzat said Information Communication Technology (ICT) has been fully deployed by the State in carrying out many government activities in the area of health services, education, judicial process and obtaining of certificate of occupancy among others.
On the possibility of vandalising the camera, Hamzat said this cannot be too possible since the locations of the cameras are not known and due to the fact that the cameras monitor one another.
According to him, “if someone is trying to tamper with camera A, camera B is surely monitoring it. We will have what we call the ring toplogy, that is some will overlap, so that if camera A and B is checking a particular direction camera C and D will also be looking at 15 per cent same direction and 85 percent of somewhere else, so by that we have an overlap”.
He informed that about 80 schools in the State have been provided with Information Communication Technology laboratories in order to give students in the State secondary schools an opportunity to interact with the outside world and at the same time improve their knowledge base. “In this regard, science base teachers have been trained on techniques for teaching science based subjects to facilitate assimilation”, he said.
On the Health Management Information System (HMIS) introduced by the State Government, the commissioner stated that this will ensure the improvement of the quality of health care delivery services in the state.
He explained that with the development, the registration of all patients in Lagos State Hospitals on a Central computer server will eliminate queues usually found in the medical record in all State hospitals and doctors will have access to patient’s medical history anywhere within the state.
He said the first phase of the project started with 3 hospitals which were used for the pilot scheme.
The hospitals are Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja; General Hospital Isolo and General Hospital Lagos.
The link of these hospitals has been commissioned since last year while the second phase involving ten General Hospitals have commenced.
The hospitals on the second phase, according to him, include General Hospital Gbagada, General Hospital Alimosho, General Hospital Orile-Agege, General Hospital Surulere, General Hospital Badagry and General Hospital Ajeromi.:okay:

I think that the correct figure is 10000 cctv

I think that the correct figure is 10000 cctvThat will turn Lagos into one of the most monitored cities in the world.

how do you know that fotc?

I think that the correct figure is 10000 cctv

Highly unlikely, perhaps you meant 100 or 1,000.

The reported number he intends to install is 10,000 as from news reports. The press conference called was to announce the 90 installed.

Construction work on Eko Atlantic City to commence soon

Actual construction work will soon start on the site of the Eko Atlantic City, a futuristic real estate project being planned along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos State, following the successful reclamation of about 820 hectares of land.

The project is planned to complement the much sought after Victoria Island, which has become saturated in terms of transportation and land availability for new development, coupled with the huge shortage of hotel and residential facilities in the area.

Hence, a decision was taken by the Lagos State Government to expand the present Victoria Island and protect it by reclaiming land lost to the Atlantic Ocean and create the most valuable land in the state where people will live and work.

According to the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Prince Adesegun Oniru, the overall concept of the Eko Atlantic City development is to restore land lost to coastal erosion since the 1950s and to provide a permanent solution to the erosion by providing a robust sea wall or revetment along the newly reconstructed coastline.

Oniru, who spoke on the progress of work on the project in Ikeja on Wednesday at a ministerial press briefing by the ministry to mark the second year anniversary of the Governor Babatunde Fashola‘s administration, said that Eko Atlantic City would rise as the next generation of real estate developments in Africa.

The turning of the sod for the project was performed on behalf of President Umaru Yar‘Adua by his Chief Economic Adviser, Mallam Tanimu Yakubu on April 18, 2008, while reclamation work commenced on June 9. The project is mainly a private investment initiative with no direct government funding.

As at the end of February, 2009, a total area of 3,078,757 cubic metres had been sand-filled and placed in the reclamation area, while about 35,000 tonnes of rock had been delivered to the site from Ibadan, Oyo State, for the revetment.

A total length of 6,500 metres had been earmarked for development along the Atlantic with an average width of 1,260 metres, while a 30-metre wide central waterway had been incorporated into the development to provide water transport facilities connecting the three marinas.

Good news!

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Fashola Commissions 1,200 Cabs

The Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola, this morning, commissioned additional 1,200 modern cabs to boost transportation in the state.

The governor had, last year, commissioned 250 modern cabs as part of the plan to take transportation in the state to the next level. During this commissioning, six companies were granted licences to operate the taxi scheme. One of the prerequisites for the granting of the licences was that each of the operators should have a minimum of 200 cabs in its fleet. Speaking at the commissioning, the Commissioner for Transportation, Prof. Bamidele Badejo, said Fashola had expanded the horizon of public transportation in the state with the granting of licences to private investors to commence regulated taxi system and car hire services.

He urged the operators to abide by the rules and regulations guiding taxi operations and car hire services in the state as well as all traffic laws that are applicable on Lagos public roads. “Let me reiterate that government is ready to provide an enabling environment for public-private participation to thrive in the provision of services and infrastructure to support the new Lagos of our dream,” he said. The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Joke Orelope-Adefilure, stated that Lagos, being the commercial nerve centre of the country, definitely needs to embrace genuine initiatives directed at enhancing its Mega-City status, adding that this explains why the state government decided to support the initiative of the Lagos State Taxi Drivers and Cab Operators Association to acquire new vehicles.

She said that the state believes the project is a way of empowering the people with the task of alleviating poverty in the state. She disclosed that N2 billion would be given out by the state government as micro-credit scheme to alleviate the plight of the people who would have access to loans to start up their businesses, adding that government would continue to provide the enabling environment in all their daily pursuits, while expecting that they would in turn reciprocate the gesture through prompt payment of their taxes.

‘You’re The Best Among Us’—Gov Jang Praises Fashola

The rating of the Lagos state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), went up another notch in faraway Jos, the Plateau state capital, where the Plateau state governor, General Jonah Jang (retd), declared him the best among his counterparts in the country.

Governor Jang, who was speaking while receiving his Lagos state counterpart, who paid him a courtesy visit, declared that, “I must say honestly that I rate you the best among us in terms of development in the states we preside over.” The governor, who noted that there is need for state governors to exchange official visits in order to learn from one another, also requested his visitor to consider extending an invitation to him to enable him pay an official visit to Lagos at a later date, to, in the governor’s words, “take a look at what you are doing.

“We should start paying one another state visits to learn from what each of us is doing. Irrespective of our different political parties, we have a lot to learn from one another, and I believe, it is not time for politics, as the president said, it is time to work for the nation,” Jang said. According to him, to work effectively for the nation and our different states, “we should be able to exchange ideas by paying one another official visits,” adding that he has already focused his eyes on the areas of revenue generation and security where he would like to tap from Fashola’s wisdom.

“I am watching your revenue generating system very carefully and we are trying to borrow from you by asking those who are working for you to come and look at our own state,” the Plateau state governor said. Also commending Fashola on the success of his security system in Lagos state, Jang declared; “Again, the former I.G., Smith, told me that he was chairman of the security system you set up and today we hardly hear of armed robbery in Lagos state. I agree again that this is what we have to learn from you, aside from physical development.”

Governor Jang, who said he spent 12 years in Lagos during his service years, recalled how difficult Lagos was then in terms of moving from one point to another, and commended his visitor for the tremendous transformation that Lagos state has recorded in many areas, especially in transportation and the environment. Wishing governor Fashola a happy period in the state, the Plateau state governor,, who noted that the National Economic Council (NEC) also has some top military officers as members, expressed delight that, with his wealth of experience as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the Lagos state governor will impact on the council membership what democracy is all about.

Earlier in his remarks, governor Fashola told his host that he was in the state on the invitation of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, adding that, “I thought it would be an act of discourtesy to embark on a visit to that institution without extending courtesy to my brother, the governor of Plateau state.” Governor Fashola said the visit also afforded him the opportunity to congratulate his host and the people of Plateau state for the recent installation of the new Gbom Gwom Jos, which he described as “a most respected traditional institution.” Recalling that governor Jang could not attend the NEC meeting in Abuja, on Tuesday, because he was playing host to another very important institution that has helped foster religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among the people, the Lagos state governor commended his host for the peace existing in the state.

Ilt

The Lagos Taxi Drivers’ Association, I-Trans Logistic Limited, Basscomm Nigeria Limited, C & I Motors Limited, Cash-Link Finance Investment Limited and Benny-Lad Ventures Limited have each joined the Lagos Licenced Taxi Cab program with funding provided by Union Bank, Lagos Microfinance and others, adding 1,255 new taxi cabs (all of which are provided with meters and GPS tracking devices) to the fleet of taxis in Lagos in addition to the 400-plus already provided by Corporate Cabs Ltd and E-Taxis (EkoTaxis).

Here are the websites of some of the Lagos cab providers:
Corporate Cabs (the black taxis): http://www.corporatecabs-ng.com/aboutus.html
C & I (the red taxis): http://citransgloballtd.com/
TransCo-Op (E-Taxis or EkoTaxis): http://www.transcoop-ng.com/index.html
Basscomm (silver taxis): http://www.basscommgroup.com/blink/index.php

http://www.234next.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls?CONTENTTYPE=image/jpeg&STREAMOID=kS3DQ2zIuhzBbKR66NE8TS6SYeqqxXXqBcOgKOfTXxS093jI_m05q_s0Q2oA8ipUwLkdkNm4NaK1iliY4aRX7GEabxkeoo57KN3LcI4Be79xyJSXHeyn6i9C8rc3E0xoX_kuXYWCUJRqviwH8FNPwULIcdFM9zupuYHBJc2ySZk-

Nice, one step closer to mega city status.

some of the new taxis

http://www.tundefashola.com/archives/photos/2009/05/26/20090526L02.jpg

http://www.tundefashola.com/archives/photos/2009/05/26/20090526L07.jpg

http://www.tundefashola.com/archives/photos/2009/05/26/20090526L08.jpg

Fashola in A taxi

http://www.tundefashola.com/archives/photos/2009/05/26/20090526L09Q.jpg

http://www.tundefashola.com/archives/photos/2009/05/26/20090526L09R.jpg

Black cabs

http://i44.tinypic.com/1z4yfjp.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/2d6s288.jpg

Cabs in Lagos are getting better. Why did the nation wait so long to fix this?