AMBODE UNVEILS ULTRA MODERN FERRY TERMINAL, MULTI-LEVEL CAR PARK

…Says Water Transport Sector Reforms On Course


AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday commissioned an ultra modern Ferry Terminal and the Headquarters of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) in Falomo area of the State, restating that no efforts would be spared to harness the potentials of water transport sector for the overall benefit of residents.

The Governor, who also commissioned a Multi-level Car Park within the same premises, said the unveiling of the edifice which was delivered through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with MTN Nigeria, signposts the readiness, willingness and ability of the State Government to take full control of its waterways and would continue to do so effectively.



Governor Ambode, who was represented by the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem, said the completion of the project, which started seven years ago, was an eloquent demonstration of the appreciation and recognition of the efforts of the State Government toward the overall development of water transport sector in the State.



While alluding to the fact that water transportation had been proven worldwide to be an effective and efficient transport system, the Governor said despite its potentials, the sector had remained largely underdeveloped just accounting for less than one per cent of the overall traffic in the State, a development he said necessitated the massive investments and reforms of his administration in the sector.



“In furtherance of our commitment to develop the water transportation system which is an integral component of the Lagos State Multi-Modal Transport System, we have invested significantly in the provision of water transportation infrastructure especially the rehabilitation of existing and construction of new Jetties; purchase of two clearing machines with navigational equipment to tackle the challenges posed by water hyacinth and the ongoing installation of safety signs for routes demarcation, among others.



“In addition, we have concluded plans for the procurement of seven high-capacity passenger ferries to complement the existing ones, while we also plan to assist commercial ferry operators to acquire new standard boats.



“All of these are with the intent of encouraging more private sector investment in water transportation. The long term objective is to reduce the pressure on our roads as our people increasingly embrace water transportation system,” Governor Ambode said.



While reiterating the commitment of his administration to continue to protect the interest of those using the waterways especially in the area of providing the entire residents of the State with quality and affordable water transport services, the Governor also reinforced the determination of the State to ensure that waterways in the State were safe and secured.



Besides, Governor Ambode commended MTN Nigeria for partnering and contributing to the realization of the State Government's objectives in the water transport sector, just as he urged other private sector stakeholders to take advantage of the emerging investment opportunities in Lagos water transport sector.



In his opening remarks, General Manager of LASWA, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel commended Governor Ambode for his unparalleled commitment and support towards the upgrading, construction and equipping of waterways infrastructure in the State, saying that the new imposing edifice, among other ongoing projects on the waterways, aptly demonstrated such investments and reforms in the sector.



“This terminal is expected to attract new investors, boost water transportation and reduce vehicular traffic on Lagos roads and also complement the efforts of the Lagos State Government towards promoting Inter-Modal Transport System in the State thereby increasing the efficiency of government interventions in the sector.



“On our part, LASWA remains committed to delivering an enabling environment to all waterways users. We are deepening and broadening or capacities to surpass all expectations in this regard,” Emmanuel said, just as he solicited the cooperation of all stakeholders especially by strictly complying with all existing rules and regulations on water transportation.



Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr Ferdi Moolman said his firm was delighted to partner with the State Government to deliver another milestone that would lead to a better transport system and improved quality of lives for millions of the State’s residents.



“Lagos is home to a visionary and dynamic government that believes in the power of Public-Private Sector Partnership and today’s event is a proof of that. I like to specially commend Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and his team for the transformation and innovative projects ongoing across the State,” Moolman said.



Facilities at the ferry terminal include a ticketing point, passenger lounge, VIP Lounge, elevator, standard conveniences, among others.

AMBODE DONATES FIVE HILUX, FIVE GREEN MARIA, ONE AMBULANCE TO LAGOS PRISON SERVICES

…Says Reforms Critical To Decongest Prisons 

…Two Inmates Currently Pursuing PhD-Lagos Controller Of Prisons

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday donated vehicles and other equipment to the Lagos Prison Services, stressing the need for major reforms to be carried out across the country to decongest prisons.



Among the vehicles donated include five Toyota Hilux, five Green Maria and one Ambulance, assuring that the vehicles would be delivered to the Lagos Prison Services by September.



Governor Ambode, who made the donation when he received a delegation from the Nigeria Prison Services, Lagos Command, led by the Controller, Mr. Tunde Ladipo, at his residence in Epe, said the donation was his administration’s contribution to make the prisons more conducive.



He expressed concern that Lagos was also having its fair share of congestion as over 70 percent of inmates across prisons in the State were awaiting trial.

“I am very concerned about congestion of prisons in the State. For a State like Lagos where development is ongoing, it is bound to attract people from across other States and neighbouring countries and this means increase in population.  We are providing these critical assistance to the prison authorities to make them more efficient and make our prisons more conducive.



“However, there is no better time to carry out reforms in our prisons and it is necessary especially as regards the decongestion of the prison,” the Governor said.



He assured that the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy would look into some of the cases of inmates and see the possibility of granting official pardon to prisoners who have shown remorse, good behaviour and readiness to contribute meaningfully to the society.



Governor Ambode also directed the Special Adviser on Primary Healthcare, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga to provide adequate health services for all for the prisons in the State so as to prevent any outbreak of diseases.



“Once a city is safe, people will be more productive and it also means more revenue will come into the State,” he said.



Earlier, the Controller of Prisons, Lagos Command, Mr. Tunde Ladipo, said the visit was to remind the Governor of their requests for some vehicles and equipment to enhance their capacity to effectively transport and secure inmates awaiting trail to the courts, some of which the Governor granted at the visit.



Ladipo said as at January 31, 2018, 8191 inmates; 7887 males and 304 females, were in custody across the five prison facilities in the State including the Maximum Security Prison, Kirikiri; Medium Security Prison, Kirikiri; Female Security Prison, Kirikiri; Ikoyi Prison and Badagry Prison.



He disclosed that out of the number, 6290 inmates were awaiting trail and attending the various court jurisdictions in the State.



“The challenges towards fulfilling the responsibilities of effective prison duties are indeed are overwhelming and seriously challenging especially in a State with a large inmate population like Lagos,” he said.



The Lagos Prisons Boss while commending the Governor for his developmental strides as well as massive support to security organisations within the State, said the Lagos Prison Command was working towards reforming prisoners, revealing that two inmates, Kabiru Tunwase and Oladipupo Moshood were currently pursuing PhD in Business Administration and Peace and Conflict Resolution respectively.

AgegePulse

Ambode assures Lagosians of equity, justice for all

 AgegePulse Magazine

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has assured residents of the State that his administration will not relent in delivering dividends of democracy to its citizenry by fast-tracking the process of justice delivery and ensuring equal protection of individuals’ rights.

 Governor Ambode made this known at the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme organized by Federal Justice Sector Reform Coordinating Committee (FJSRCC) in collaboration with Lagos State Government, European Union and British Council at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.

 Ambode, who was represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem said reforms in the judicial sector across the globe rely on the creation and implementation of sound policies by the concerned government, noting that all will be done to that ensure justice works for all in Lagos.

 While making reference to the recently established DNA and Forensic Centre in the State, the Governor assured members of the legal profession and residents of the State that his administration will further put in place machinery that will aid investigation of criminal cases.

 “We are committed to a quick dispensation of justice for all because we believe that this will bring about the much-needed change across all other sectors for the benefit of all residents in the State”, he said.

 He said that the government will continue to explore other opportunities through partnership with organisations to promote judicial reforms, while also focusing more on improving the welfare of the judiciary.

 Also speaking, the Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata commended Governor Ambode for leading the cause of judicial reform in Nigeria and urged other States to emulate Lagos State.

 He said the programme aimed at appraising justice and judicial reforms is also a platform to communicate the need for judicial reform in all States of the country for robust awareness and acceptance of the National Reform Policy.

 Apata tasked representatives of all States at the programme to lead the implementation of the policy in their States to help the President Muhammadu Buhari administration achieve fair justice delivery in the fight against corruption.

Solid waste reform will improve the socio-economic conditions of Lagos residents - Dr. Babatunde Adejare

Solid waste reform will improve the socio-economic conditions of Lagos residents - Dr. Babatunde Adejare

AgegePule Magazine

The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare has said that the ongoing reform in solid waste management, tagged: “The Cleaner Lagos” initiative,will contribute to the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of the residents of Lagos State by tackling the problems of poverty and unemployment.

Adejare, who on Monday at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, during the 2017 Annual Ministerial Press Briefing in commemoration of the second year in office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, stated that the Solid Waste Management (SWM) sector had been identified as critical to the realization of the vision of the current administration to position Lagos as a clean, healthy and livable State.

He stated that the sector, therefore, required urgent attention to bring it to the required level of international standard as its current situation, which had necessitated the reform of the entire solid waste management sector, clearly did not align with the Lagos State Government’s future vision.

“Current realities in this sector reveal deficiencies across the entire process chain, from insufficient collection services to inadequate transportation methods and abysmal disposal practices that are not only wasteful in terms of resource utilization but also injurious to environmental and public health”, he said.

The Commissioner recalled that Lagos State, in its 50years of existence, had grown exponentially in population thereby impacting on solid waste management and sanitation as a whole, adding that at present the daily waste generation in the State officially stood at 13,000 metric tonnes.

According to Adejare, by devolving the provision of Solid Waste Management services to the private sector, the CLI will birth a new financially viable and technology-driven sub-sector to the Lagos economy, creating new businesses and job opportunities that can be emulated by other Stateswithin the country.

His words: “These reforms are all encapsulated under the ‘Cleaner Lagos Initiative’ (CLI) with a broad strategy of creating an environment for the private sector to harness international best practice in this vital area of infrastructure.

“The CLI aims to protect the environment, human health and social living standards of Lagos residents by addressing the lacunae in the existing legislation and refocusing the scope of LAWMA to enable the agency enforce, regulate and generate revenue from the waste management process”.

“The components of the Cleaner Lagos Initiative include Residential Waste Collection and Processing, Commercial & Industrial Waste Collection, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Drainage Maintenance, Provision of Engineered Sanitary Landfill , Manual Street Sweeping, Mechanised Street Sweeping, Provision of Transfer Loading Stations(TLS), Material Recovery Facilities(MRF) and Marine Waste Collection”, he added.

The Commissioner maintained that under the CLI, waste generated by the commercial sector would be handled by licensed waste management operators while an environmental consortium would provide waste collection processing and disposal services for residential properties.

Speaking on the de-flooding activities of the State Government, the Environment Commissioner noted that over 10.8million people have benefited from the de-flooding programme through completion of 21 drainage construction and 14 drainage dredging projects across the State.

He stated that to achieve this feat, the Lagos State Government constructed 12.99 km length of drainage channels in 17 LGAs/LCDAs, dredged 22.250 km length of primary channel across the State and made provision for 16 new drainage projects.