Lagos Commissioner, Toke Benson, Proffers Solutions Challenging Tourism Industry ...Holds Stakeholders' Engagement To harness Businesses in the sector

...Holds Stakeholders' Engagement To harness Business in the sector

AgegePulse Magazine 

The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka today organized  a stakeholders in hospitality sector to proffer solutions challenging the Tourism sector in the state.

Lagos Commissioner, Toke Benson, Proffers Solutions, Challenging Tourism Industry,

The program, Themed: Addressing Current Industry Challenges, Exploring Emerging Trends, Understanding Policy Frameworks and Unveiling Collaborative Opportunities Within The Entire Hospitality Value Chain at  Zinnia Hall, Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka said The hospitality sector plays a vital role in the economic development of Lagos State. This sector does not only provide employment to thousands but also serves as a gateway for showcasing our rich cultural heritage, vibrant arts scene, and unparalleled hospitality. 

Commissioner on Tourism, Mrs. Toke-Benson, Awoyinka

"It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to this important engagement session with tourism stakeholders in the hospitality sector and I feel honored to address you today on the critical issues, emerging trends, and opportunities within our industry.

Discussants

"We are all not unaware of the significant challenges our industry faces, from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic to evolving customer expectations and increased competition. 

Attendants

"With this gathering, we want to address these challenges head-on. We must adapt to the changing landscape by embracing new technologies and sustainable practices.

"Emerging trends in this sector such as digital transformation, eco-tourism, and personalized customer experiences are reshaping the way we operate. It is imperative that we stay ahead of these trends to remain competitive and relevant.

"In Lagos State, we are committed to creating an enabling environment for the hospitality sector to thrive. Our policy frameworks are being continually reviewed to ensure they support growth, innovation, and sustainability. We are also focused on improving infrastructure, enhancing security, and promoting Lagos as a prime tourist destination. 

We strive to make the industry, as with other climes, data driven, through the capturing of the entire hospitality sector on a database we can also share with the rest of the world.  We are digitizing our registration processes and would no longer operate manually in this capturing process. 

"You must also agree with me that data is important not only for growth and expansion but also for SECURITY of lives and property within and around your establishments. 

We seek your cooperation in this very important exercise as we strive to make it seamless as the methodology would be communicated to you accordingly. 

"The fact remains that collaboration is key to achieving our objectives. By working together, we can create a seamless and memorable experience for tourists who depend on such data in that critical decision on destination choice.

The sanctity and safety of your establishment also comes into focus, drugs, vices and environmental nuisances play a major role and such must be curbed to further make us a destination of choice and enhance Lagos as a LIVE WORK AND PLAY environment. 

"You will agree with me that this gathering is long over due considering happenings in the hospitality sector, emerging trends and the need for us to always share views on how to improve this sector and continue to operate inline with acceptable best practices

Addressing to gathering with the topic , Enhancing Compliance in the Hospitality Sector, The GM Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, Special Adviser on Transport, Hon. Shola Giwa, Chairman, LIRS, Mr. Ayodele Subaru, Special Adviser on Tax, Mr. AbdulKabir Ogungbo and GM LASEPA, Dr. Tunde Ajayi among others expressed feeling of making a tourism sector a collaborative opportunities within the Hospitality value chain.

They advised Lagosians To Explore Tourism and  Water Transportation as part of activities to curb traffic congestion in Lagos with the effort of Mr. Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu investing hugely to ensure water transportation is safe for all.

Issues of multiple Taxation, Land Use Charge, noise pollution, illegal parking, noise pollution, and policies endangering an healthy business environment were all discussed.

In the area of Public-Private Partnership, President Hotel Owners & Managers Association of Lagos, Chief Alabi, President Restaurants Cafes, Bars and Club, Mrs. Tannaz Eterbarian, CEO, Koko Beach, Hotel & Resorts, Mr. Richard Shittu and Owner of Ile-Iya, Mr. Mustapha Olasunkanmi all discussed on strengthening a collaborative efforts towards government policies and frames works, simplicity in visa application that will harness  hospitality business a point of call for Nigerians at home and in diaspora, noting that all these were put together to  overcome the challenges, harness the opportunities, and set new benchmarks for excellence.

Children's Day: LAWMA Boss Tasks Parents on Recycling Education for Kids

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Children's Day: LAWMA Boss Tasks Parents on Recycling Education for Kids

As the world commemorates Children’s Day, Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has tasked parents on early teaching of waste sorting and recycling to their children and wards, to build a sustainable environment for the future.

He said this at the agency’s headquarters, Ijora-Olopa, as LAWMA celebrated with children, featuring a series of educational activities and games designed to engage children and raise awareness on environmental sustainability.

Gbadegesin highlighted the significance of instilling proper waste management habits in the younger generation, stressing that parents had an important role to play in educating their children about recycling and waste sorting, noting that early education on these topics was essential for fostering environmentally responsible citizens.

He said, "Teaching our children about recycling and proper waste management is required for the future of our environment. As parents, it is our responsibility to ensure that they understand the impact of their actions on the planet. By incorporating these lessons into their daily lives, we can nurture a generation that is conscious of their environmental footprint and committed to sustainable practices."

The LAWMA boss stated that the Authority’s commitment to environmental education extended beyond Children's Day, as the agency had been actively involved in numerous initiatives aimed at promoting waste management education in schools and communities across Lagos State, which included school outreach programs and community clean-up campaigns.

"As an organisation, LAWMA is dedicated to creating a cleaner and healthier Lagos. Our efforts in promoting waste management education are part of our broader mission to foster a culture of environmental responsibility. We believe that by educating our children, we are laying the foundation for a greener future", he noted.

In her goodwill message, Director of Environmental Education Unit, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mrs. Monsurat Banire, represented by Mrs Olufunke Olaleye, commended the Authority for investing in children, noting that children were the greatest investment.

She said: "When we involve children in anything we do, we are assured of a better and sustainable future.  The Ministry of Environment knows the value of environmental education and that is why we have the unit to raise you all as environmental ambassadors, who will preserve our planet. I celebrate you all and I wish you a wonderful celebration ".

Also speaking, the head of LAWMA Academy Training and Development, Mrs. Bola Adewumi, noted that the Authority was committed to raising children to become ambassadors of sustainable environmental practices, urging the children to maintain a positive attitude to the environment, to make it people-friendly.

Other LAWMA Management staff who gave their good will messages were: Director, Public Affairs, Mrs. Kadiri Folashade;  Deputy Director, Special Duties, Mr. Oluwakemi Sulaimon; Director of Admin and HR, Ms. Ranti Dosunmu; Deputy Director, Commercial Services, Mrs. Abimbola Opayemi; Deputy Director Medical Services, Health and Safety, Dr. Modupe Okoh; Deputy Director , Waste Management Research, Policy and Development, Dr. Essien Nsuabia; Deputy Director, Circular Economy, Mrs. Jirinsola Okubanjo; Head Customer Care and Corporate Engagement Unit, Mrs. Aramide Olaniyan, among others

For more information about LAWMA's initiatives and how to support efforts to maintain a clean environment, please visit www.lawma.gov.ng or call our toll-free numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020 and 617.

LAWMA Launches “Know Your PSP” Campaign for Effective Service Delivery

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The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), has launched "Know Your PSP" campaign, an initiative aimed at improving communication and cooperation between residents and Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators, responsible for waste collection.

Commenting on the initiative, managing director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the campaign was aimed at improving waste management practices throughout the state, adding that the initiative would provide residents with detailed information about the specific PSP operators assigned to their areas, for contact and for reporting issues or requesting additional services.

He said, "The 'Know Your PSP' campaign is a crucial step in our on-going effort at improving waste management in Lagos State. By equipping residents with the knowledge of who their PSP operators are and how to reach them, we are fostering a collaborative effort for a cleaner city. This initiative will not only enhance service delivery but also promote accountability and responsiveness among PSP operators."

Gbadegesin said LAWMA had established dedicated helplines and online platforms, where residents could easily access information about their designated PSP operators, report issues, and provide feedbacks, adding that this would make it easier for residents to communicate with their waste services providers, so that challenges were promptly addressed and services consistently delivered.

He noted further, that investigation showed that some residents did not even know their PSP operators nor their contacts, making it impossible to interface with them, on any area of service provision.

"By providing residents with easy access to information and a direct line of communication with their PSP operators, we are making it easier for them to report issues and request services. This streamlined approach will help us address concerns more efficiently and ensure that waste collection services meet the needs of all residents", he said.

The LAWMA boss appealed to the populace to desist from acts of indiscriminate waste dumping and patronage of the outlawed cart pushers, capable of worsening environmental challenges in the metropolis, especially flooding, as the rains set in.

For more information about LAWMA's initiatives and how to support efforts to maintain a clean environment, please visit www.lawma.gov.ng or call our toll-free numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020 and 617.

Lagos launches Last Mile Meat Shops & Butchers Academy

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The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya cutting the tape

The Lagos State Government has taken giant steps towards revamping the process of selling red meat in the metropolis by ensuring proper hygiene before the product gets to the final consumers.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya disclosed this in Alausa at the launching of the last Mile Meat Shops and Butchers Academy

She said that the initiative was to give residents confidence on what they consume while also making it look presentable with standard facilities to encourage youth to come into the space. 

The commissioner further noted that the essence of the initiative was for residents to embrace butchery and correct the erroneous impression that the profession is reserved for the unenlightened.

Olusanya noted that the 20 feet containers designed as pilot scheme for the initiative can be easily transferred from one location to another.

According to her, each meat shop is to be manned by four youth allocated a cow slaughtered at approved government abattoirs and brought to them under hygienic conditions and processes.

She therefore demanded for collaboration with the private sector to enlarge the scheme noting that they have started with 20 feet containers and hope to increase it soon to 40ft.

Going back memory lane, Abisola Olusanya explained that the initiative was part of the Lagos State Agriculture Roadmap adding that the initial plan was to have 20 for a start but was cut to 5 in the pilot scheme. 

According to her, the overhauling in the transportation sector led to the introduction of Eko Meat Van that ended the era of conveying meat through unwholesome practices.

She also pointed out that the Cattle feed lot in Lagos is ongoing and part of the promise made by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu led government which will be delivered soon.

On his part, the Chairman Lagos House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture,  Hon Emmanuel Olotu commended the ministry for introducing ideas that will bring food and comfort to the door steps of residents.

He urged the Butchers Association to ensure that they put into practice what they learnt during training at the Butchers Academy. 

The Chairman House Committee on Agriculture stressed that the Butchers must realise the fact that they are attending to over twenty million residents and should be wary of what they pass on to them.

While adding his voice, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola said that the iniative was a quality controlled measure in the state to give value for money. 

He assured that all the Meat Shops will sell in Kilogramme by weight for uniformity purpose.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Emmanuel Audu described the event as groundbreaking adding issues around meat consumption is important for human existence.

He also disclosed that food safety cannot be overlooked recalling that COVID 19 had its root in an animal market in China. 

The Permanent Secretary further said that the initiative was to assist in value chains in meat distribution as safety and quality are being addressed with the launch.

Emmanuel Audu concluded that the Last Mile Meat Shops was a new dimension especially with youth involvement in the process and hope the project will receive full acceptance by Lagos residents.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman, Lagos State Chapter of  Butchers Association, Alhaji Kazeem Bakare thanked the Lagos State Government for iniating the project described as innovation to his members.

He said that the nature and value of cows slaughtered now is different from the one many years back.

According to him, the Butchers Association will embrace the new idea for safe handling of cow meat in the state promising that it will bring back some of members who have left the job for Okada and Marwa. 

Alhaji Kazeem Bakare urged other states in the country to embrace the innovation in order to restore sanity to the handling meat among their residents.

The Managing Director of Palilar Pal Meat International, Apostle Olawale Talabi appreciates the Governor for the opportunity, adding the vision of the Commissioner is coming to fruition.

He believes that the measure will guarantee high hygienic standard for the sale of meat to consumers in the state and allow the Butchers to earn more money.

Apostle Talabi further said that there is huge market for cow meat in Lagos noting that over 2,500 were slaughtered on a daily basis.

He disclosed that plans are underway to have the Meat Shops across the metropolis.

The Last Mile Meat Shops are located in Ijeh area of Dolphin Estate, Surulere and Mushin.

LASG Advises Due Diligence On Real Estate Business Transactions

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LASG Advises Due Diligence On Real Estate Business Transactions

Lagos State Government has advised potential real estate investors to always check the registration portal of the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) via its website: lasrera.lagosstate.gov.ng for the list of registered individuals/organisations captured on the agency’s database before committing to any real estate business transactions in the state.   

Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Housing, Barr. Barakat Odunuga-Bakare

The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Housing, Barr. Barakat Odunuga-Bakare gave this advice on Thursday at the Y2024 Ministerial Press Briefing held at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.

Responding to the growing concerns raised over unregistered real estate practitioners and the proliferation of imposters, Barr. Barakat Odunuga-Bakare emphasised the importance of due diligence, especially in areas where new estates and construction works are ongoing.

She highlighted the efforts of the Lagos State Government through LASRERA to safeguard both local and international investors from falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

She disclosed that the strategies put in place by the state government to regulate activities within the real estate sector will serve as a deterrent to fraudulent practices within the real estate sector and enable swift intervention and sanctions against erring practitioners.

Odunuga-Bakare also underscored the effectiveness of LASRERA’s regulatory measures, noting that the agency’s database currently boasts 925 registered individuals and organisations, with an additional 2550 practitioners in the process of enrollment.

“LASRERA has a database of 925 registered individuals/organisations on its registration portal while over 2550 practitioners have enrolled to be registered”. Odunuga-Bakare stated.

Adeoti Sobowale 

Deputy Director,

 Public Affairs ,

LASRERA .

15th May, 2024.

Electricity Tariff: Ikeja Electric Slashes Electricity Tariff For Customers

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The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has downwardly reviewed and slashed the tariff to N206.80 per kilowatt-hour from the previously approved N225/kWh by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

According to the spokesperson, IKEDC,  Olufadeke Omo-Omorodion, conveyed this information in a notice on Monday.

In the notice, the IKEDC outlined that the revised tariff for Band A customers would come into effect from Monday, May 6, 2024. While assuring a minimum of 20-hour daily power supply for customers on Band A feeders, the DisCo clarified that the tariffs for customers on other bands remain unchanged.

"Dear Esteemed Customers, please be informed of the downward tariff review of our Band A feeders from N225/kWh to N206.80/kWh effective 6th May 2024 with guaranteed availability of 20-24hrs supply daily. The tariff for Bands B, C, D, and E remains unchanged,” the IKEDC stated.

Previously, on April 3, the NERC had revised the electricity tariff for Band A customers from N68 per kilowatt-hour to N255/KWh, exempting other customers from the tariff hike. However, consumers in the Band A category had expressed dissatisfaction with the increase, urging the Federal Government to reconsider the policy.

In a related development, during an investigative hearing before the Senate Committee on Power last week Monday, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, cautioned that failure to implement the electricity tariff hike could lead to a total blackout in the country within the next three months.