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Lagos State To Ban Danfo And Korope On October 1

The Lagos State Government has said no going back on the planned enforcement banning operations of all unregulated commercial bus operations, specifically “Danfos” and “Koropes” along the Lekki-Epe corridor, scheduled to commence on October 1, 2024.

This followed speculations making the rounds on the suspension of the plans by the government.

Speaking with Vanguard, the State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, maintained that the move was in line with the Lagos State Strategic Transportation Master.

The duo, therefore, called for the collaboration of Public Transport Bus Operators, such as Korope/Danfo bus drivers, as the government releases the restructuring plans to improve the commuting experience.

Giwa added that a stakeholders meeting had been held earlier with bus operators and union leaders in the state, on the need for compliance before the due date.

Giwa described the current state of bus operations on the corridor as chaotic hence, the need for collaboration to successfully regulate and integrate the informal transport sector into the state’s Bus Reform Initiative using the Lekki/Epe corridor as a pilot test.

He further explained that the Lekki Epe Corridor had been inspected by the Ministry of Transportation and Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority, LAMATA to identify limitations of seamless traffic flow along the Expressway and adjourning roads and had mapped out the systematic framework to address possible challenges.

Some of the planned solutions according to Giwa include; The restructuring of the existing unregulated Public Transport Bus Operations on the Lekki Epe Corridor, the deployment of High Capacity Buses on the corridor as stated in the Lagos Transport Policy and the Bus Route Network, the re-allocation and relocation of Korope/Minibuses to inner route, re-registration and recertification of all buses.

Others are; The Introduction of an E-ticketing System, the Provision of transport infrastructure (Layby, terminal, among others), regulation and standardization of bus operations, and improved transportation services, that is; Safety and passenger comfort and promotion the security of lives and properties along the Lekki-Epe corridor.

Giwa further stated that the restructuring plan would be implemented in phases, urging transport operators who intend to key into the restructuring program to come to the Ministry of Transportation to register within the next two weeks.

He added that the registered operators will be allotted routes by the Ministry to ensure strict compliance to the strategy.

Giwa also warned that any operator who contravenes the regulations that will be implemented will be fined and will forfeit their vehicles in the event that they ignore the notice of their fines.

He declared that the State Government would not accommodate willful disregard of its existing Transport Sector Reform Law.

Addressing the concerns raised by members of the unions, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Olawale Musa, had explained that the State Government is counting on them to fish out unregistered operators along the corridor, affirming that Lekki –Epe Expressway would be a pilot test for the standardisation of the transportation system in Lagos.

Earlier, the Head of Bus Services LAMATA, Dr. Amure stated that the rapid development of the Lekki/Epe axis was one of the reasons why the State Government chose the corridor to continue its Bus Reform Initiative, which started with the introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit in different parts of the State.

Other stakeholders at the meeting were the acting Chairman National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Alhaji Mustapha, popularly called Sego; and Deputy Chairman Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, Alhaji Taofeek Ajayi, who signed the the communique at the end of the meeting to affirm their support of the restructuring initiative.

E-call up system

In a significant move to avert severe congestion by articulated trucks and improve the efficiency of logistics operations within the Lekki-Epe Free Trade Zone corridor, the Lagos State Government has announced the commencement of the e-call-up system for managing truck movements within the axis from August 1, 2024.

Osiyemi, who disclosed this over the weekend, stated that “the move is driven by the urgent need to implement a sustainable, effective and technology-driven solution of truck movement in the Lekki-Epe Corridor.”

He added that the application of an e-call-up system will help synchronise the movement of trucks assessing the Lekki Deep Seaport and other industries within the corridor, starting from the Eleko junction to the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

Osiyemi highlights the state and federal government’s plans for road network expansion and inter-modal transport systems to streamline vehicular traffic and enhance free movement in one of Lagos’ most critical economic zones.

Also speaking, Giwa, who is saddled with the enforcement of the e-call-up system of the corridor mentioned that an interim arrangement is being put in place to decongest the roads through evacuation of all illegal tankers from the red zone by a joint task force of the State, LGAs/LCDAs, Security Agencies and Stakeholders, urging truck operators and logistics companies to comply with the new system to ensure its success.

According to him, “The e-call-up system, an advanced digital platform, is designed to regulate the entry and exit of trucks in the Lekki-Epe area by scheduling and coordinating their movements.

“This system will help prevent the chaotic traffic situations often caused by the indiscriminate parking and movement of trucks within the corridor.

“The Lekki-Epe corridor, a key economic hub in Lagos, is home to numerous industries, including the Lekki Free Trade Zone, the Dangote Refinery, and the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

“The efficient movement of goods and services in this area is crucial for the state’s economy, making the e-call-up system an essential tool for sustainable development.”

CREDIT: VANGUARD

National

ICPC tracks N610 billion projects in 22 states

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has kicked off phase 7 of the Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Exercise.

The tracking of the constituency and executive projects is an initiative of the Commission that began in 2019, focusing on how well money allocated to critical sectors of education, health, agriculture, water resources, and power, amongst others, by the government is utilised.

The 7th phase, involving 1500 projects with a total project value of N610 billion, commenced on Monday, November 18th, 2024, in 22 states across the 6 geopolitical zones.

The states are Kwara, Niger, Kogi, FCT, Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Abia and Enugu State.

The phase 7 tracking exercise will cut across agencies of government, including intervention agencies such as North-East Development Commission (NEDC), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Rural Electrification Agency (REA), National Primary Health Care Development Authority (NPHCDA), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and Ecological Fund Office.

The objective of the exercise is to deepen adherence to due process in the execution of government projects, improve value for money, and entrench the culture of compliance with the scope and specification as contained in the contract documents.

The ICPC tracked a total of 1,900 projects valued at N500 billion naira in phase 6 of the exercise across 24 states of the nation’s 6 geopolitical zones.

The projects were tracked within the focal sectors of Education, Water Resources, Agriculture, Power, Health, Energy, and Roads.

These projects in the 6th phase were awarded to 1,355 contractors in 176 MDAs.

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FG awards contracts for Calabar, Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Abuja highways

President Bola Tinubu has approved the restructuring of his media team

The Federal Government has signed a contract with Infiouest International Limited for the construction of the Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Abuja Superhighway to boost the country’s transportation ecosystem.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Abuja, Minister of Works, David Umahi, thanked President Bola Tinubu for his inclusive leadership and the distribution of the dividends of democracy.

Umahi also explained that the Legacy Project is strategic for boosting transportation along the economic corridors of the South East and North Central, noting that it would stimulate trade along the regions and foster inter-regional cohesion, cooperation, and collaboration.

He noted that the project will create a seamless movement of goods and services between the Southeast and Northern routes of the road and further the road infrastructure revolution master plan in keeping with the tenets of inclusive leadership in the country.

According to Umahi, the Federal Ministry of Works has also signed a contract with Infiouest International Limited for the construction of Enugu/Abakaliki/Ogoja Highway (Africa Trans-Sahara route) cutting across Cross River, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa States and terminating in Apo in Abuja.

The Works Minister argued that the project will consist of the reconstruction of the existing jointed, asphalt concrete and laterite surfaced road pavements from Ndibe beach, traversing through Eke Market.

Others, Abaomege, Onueke, Achiagu, Umuoghara/Onu Nwafor, Ukwuachi, Ishieke, Odomoke before terminating at Mbeke in Ebonyi is the third Project spanning 118.85km and it is to be constructed on Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP).

He assured that the four projects are not just transformational but also critical investments that would turn around the socio-economic fortunes of the country, stimulate diversification, and enhance a more sustainable transportation ecosystem.

Umahi therefore thanked Mr. President for carrying on the execution of the inherited road projects across the 6 Geo-Political zones, including the South East, believing, Lagos – Calabar 750 kilometers sections 1 and 2, construction already are going on very well.

“Despite legal action, the project is a must. We’re supporting Mr. President to have that project accomplished. It is an investment. Very soon, we are starting 3A and 3B in Cross River and Akwa Ibom,” Umahi said.

The Minister argued, “There is Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, 1,068 kilometers. Two sections are already ongoing. The biggest of the project is the Kebbi section, 258 kilometers. It’s ongoing. We’ve flagged off, and we have paid the first mobilization fee.”

Speaking after signing the contract, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Joseph Abou Jaounde promised to justify the confidence reposed on them, saying, “We have to carry on with this goal, and we have to prove that we trust in the right place.”

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Alia approves ₦75,000 minimum wage for Benue workers

 Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue has approved a minimum wage of ₦75,000 for workers in the state.

Alia in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, announced the new wage after he met with organised labour representatives on Monday in Makurdi.

The governor said that the new minimum wage would take effect in November 2024.

He stated that the remaining three months of the five-month backlog of salary arrears promised workers would be paid as budgeted in the 2024 budget.

He emphasised that the arrias would be paid along with the new minimum wage.

“We decided to set the wage at ₦75,000, fully aware of the other concerns raised by organised labour during the negotiations.

“These concerns included a minimum wage of N30,000, wage awards, transportation allowances, tax relief, and work-off days, among others.

“Recall that the President had approved the sum of N70,000, which we have decided to exceed, considering the concerns raised by organised labour regarding our ability to pay,” he said.

Alia restated his administration’s commitment to serve the common man and stressed that he would do everything legitimately possible to ensure that Benue workers were properly taken care of.

The governor added that his motivation to ensure the arrears were paid was to alleviate the effects of hardship on workers.

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Lagos court jails NOGASA chair 21 years for N43.5m fraud

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, November 18, 2024, convicted and sentenced Fatuyi Yemi Philips, an erstwhile Chairman of the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), to 21 years imprisonment for an N43.5 million fraud.

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Philips, alongside his firm, Oceanview Oil and Gas Limited, on April 5, 2022, on a two-count bordering on obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N43,502,000.00.

Count one read: “Fatuyi Yemi Philips and Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, on or about the 28th day of September, 2016, at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the aggregate sum of N43,502,000.00 from Elochukwu Okoye and Elebana Unique Ventures Nigeria Limited on behalf of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited under the false representation that you would sell to WAPCIL Nigeria Limited $98,870.00, a representation you knew to be false.”

Count two read: “Fatuyi Yemi Philips and Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, on or about the 28th day of September, 2016, at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, stole the sum of N43,502,000.00, property of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited.”

He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, which led to his full trial.

In the course of the trial, prosecution counsel M.S. Owede tendered several documentary evidences and called five witnesses to substantiate the allegations against him and his company.

The defence, on its part, called three witnesses during the trial.

Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Dada held that the prosecution proved its case against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.

Consequently, the judge sentenced Philips to 14 years imprisonment on count one and seven years on count two, without the option of a fine.

The sentences are to be served concurrently.

The judge also ordered the second defendant, Oceanview Oil and Gas Limited, to pay a fine of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) in respect of count one and another N250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) in respect of count two within 30 days or be wound up.

The court further ordered the convicts to make restitution in the sum of $90,202.00 or the prevailing Naira equivalent to the nominal complainants.

Phillips’ journey to the Correctional Centre began when he collected the sum of N43,502,000 from Elochukwu Okoye and Elebana Unique Ventures Nigeria Limited on behalf of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited, with a false promise of selling its dollar equivalent ($98,870.00) to them. He neither returned the naira nor the dollar equivalent to the petitioners.

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Obasanjo was not an idealleader to emulate—Presidency

The Presidency has dismissed former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent critique of Nigerian leadership, labelling him as an inappropriate figure to lecture on governance and morality.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, released a statement on Saturday, describing Obasanjo’s track record as riddled with missteps that undermine his credibility as a model leader.

Responding to Obasanjo’s remarks at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, where the former president described Nigeria as a failing state and criticized the administrations of Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu, Onanuga accused him of hypocrisy.

“Chief Obasanjo’s tenure was marred by brazen constitutional violations, poor economic decisions, and scandals,” Onanuga stated.

He highlighted controversies including the 2004 abduction of Anambra Governor Chris Ngige, unconstitutional impeachments of governors, and the infamous third-term agenda.

“A leader under whose watch these infractions occurred lacks the moral standing to critique others,” Onanuga added.

Onanuga challenged Obasanjo’s claim of economic prowess, citing missed opportunities during his administration.

“He boasted of paying off Nigeria’s debt but left critical infrastructure like roads and power in deplorable condition. His $16 billion investment in the power sector yielded no improvement, and his privatization program undervalued state assets, benefiting cronies rather than Nigerians.”

He further accused Obasanjo of ignoring Nigeria’s vast gas reserves in favour of oil, a misstep Obasanjo himself recently acknowledged. According to Onanuga, this oversight has burdened subsequent administrations, including Buhari and Tinubu, who have had to correct course.

https://twitter.com/aonanuga1956/status/1858527407285690864

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Tinubu To Attend G20 Summit In Brazil

Tinubu approves bridge reconstruction

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday to participate in the 19th G20 Leaders Summit slated for November 18 and 19.

The summit, at the instance of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, will bring together leaders from the world’s largest economies to discuss critical global issues.

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

He said this year’s summit will focus on the theme “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet,” with key discussions on global poverty, hunger, energy transition, and sustainable development.

Tinubu  is expected to push for the reform of global governance institutions, an issue Nigeria has consistently championed.

“This year’s meeting, under the theme, ‘Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet,’ will see the participants discuss the fight against hunger and poverty; reform of the Institution of global governance and; sustainable development and Energy Transition,” Onanuga said.

“Nigeria has always strongly advocated for a reform of the global governing institutions, and often presented its impressive credentials as a strong contender for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.”

The President is also expected to engage in bilateral talks with other world leaders on the sidelines of the event.

These discussions will focus on advancing Nigeria’s socio-economic reforms, particularly in areas such as agriculture, energy, and infrastructure.

The President will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including  Yusuf Tuggar, the minister of foreign affairs; Mukhtar Maiha, minister of livestock development; and Hannatu Musawa, minister of arts, tourism, culture and creativity.

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