#COVID-19; LASG MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION SET NEW RULES

AgegePulse Magazine

COVID 19: Public transport preventive measures guidelines to curb further spread of corona virus in buses, cabs, motor parks and garages.

As part of the efforts by the Lagos State Government to further prevent a State- wide spread of COVID-19 especially in motor parks, garages and other public transportation related environment, the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation is hereby notifying the general public through this statement that the following guidelines are henceforth compulsory for all stakeholders in public Transportation in the State to comply with:

1. All Transport Operators/Companies are expected to sanitize their parks and garages regularly and continuously (at least before and after each trip)

2. All Transport Operators/Companies are expected to have at the entrance to their respective parks/garages, washing hand equipment with soap and running water.

3. All Operators are expected to have alcohol based sanitizers in their Vehicles for the use of Drivers, Conductors and Passengers

4. All Operators are not allowed to over crowd/over load their vehicles at this point in time, Passenger's spacing must be fully observed. NCDC recommends that at least 2m (5feet) distance is required between anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness.

5. No standing in all BRT and LBSL bus operations

6. All buses should be at 60% capacity and not 100% (i.e danfo and other commercial buses)

7. All Air Conditioning System in public transport be put off

8. All public transport Operators/Company must have temperature reader to test each passenger before boarding the bus

9. All drivers and conductors should always wear hand gloves and nose guides while in transit

10. All passengers are also required to sanitize themselves before and after each trip

11. Passengers are also required to regularly wash their hands with soap and running water before and after each trip

12. Operators/Companies and passengers are expected to report any suspected case of COVID-19 to the Ministry of Transportation or call 08000CORONA

13. Passenger are also expected to report any Operator/Company that does not comply with these guidelines to the Monitoring Officer at sight or write to the Ministry, stating the Vehicle Registration Number, Park and Time.

With this directives well disseminated to you our transport Stakeholders and the men of the realms of fourth estate, we are confident that together we can put off this ranging fire of COVID-19.

Together we can stop further spread of the virus in Lagos State and Nigeria.

LASG launches Newly designed Articulated, Allied Vehicle Number Plate

AgegePulse Magazine

The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, through the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), on Thursday launched the newly designed Articulated and Allied Vehicle Number Plate (AVNP).

Speaking at the launch, the Honourable Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Sewedo Oluseyi Whenu said that the development is to further prioritise safe motoring measures for crime detection on Lagos roads.

According to him, one of the major benefits of the initiative is the creation of a robust database for all articulated and heavy-duty vehicles, especially those that ply State roads.

“As you are all aware, it is quite difficult to manage or deal with any problem effectively if you can’t measure it or have verifiable data. The essence of the database is, therefore, to provide and share valuable information and data on an articulated vehicle with the law enforcement agencies, the Nigeria Police and the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) for safety and security as well as crime investigation and detection purposes”, he stated.

Oladeinde disclosed that all new vehicles coming into the State through the Ports will be required to obtain the Temporary Vehicle Tag (TVT) to be issued by Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) as a means of identification for yet-to-be-fully registered, newly-acquired vehicles pending full registration.

He maintained that the new Articulated Vehicle Number Plate (AVNP) scheme has been designed and simplified to engender user-friendly and seamless procedures for the issuance of the plates, assuring that the pricing regime for the plates is affordable.

Also speaking at the event, the General Manager, Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI), Mrs. Afusat Tiamiyu appealed to drivers to ensure that they upgrade their driving skills by enrolling at the Institute for training, stressing the Agency has skilled personnel who impart knowledge required for safe and precision driving.

 The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olatunde Oduyoye, in his remarks, stated that complying with traffic regulations ensures sanity on the roads, pointing out that if there is a free flow of traffic, there will be reduced lawless activities on the roads.

Earlier, while delivering her welcome address, the General Manager MVAA, Mrs. Lape Kilanko reiterated the present administration’s resolve to form an all-inclusive government.

She gave the assurance that MVAA will continually review its policies to provide services that are customer-oriented and tailored towards the ease of doing business.

Others present at the event include the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr. Oluwatoyin Fayinka; General Manager Traffic Radio, Mr. Tayo Akanle and General Manager Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Olajide Oduyoye among others.

#LASG
#ForAGreaterLagos

CHINESE CONSORTIUM TARGETS EARLY 2019 FOR WORK ON 3050MW MAMBILLA POWER PROJECT – PRESIDENCY

President Muhammadu Buhari has received assurances from the Joint Venture Partners assigned to construct the 3050 Megawatts Mambilla Hydro-electric Power Plant, that all processes leading to the start of work would soon be completed to pave way for the commencement of the project early next year.

At a meeting Thursday in Beijing with Professor Lyu Ze Xiang, the President of CGCC, the construction company, President Buhari asked to be briefed on time lines for the commencement of work, following his highly successful meeting with the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping.

The Nigerian President, who likened the Mambilla to China’s Three Gorges Dam, said given the significance of the project to Nigeria’s socio-economic development, there was a need for its speedy completion.

“I am very pleased with the concern you have shown for the significance of this project,” he told the head of the construction giant, adding, “I would like you to ensure its speedy completion.”

Xiang informed President Buhari that Nigerian officials and the project consultant would meet in two weeks to address the questions raised by President Xi for more detailed and updated feasibility and sustainability studies. He said a team had already been set up to work on the financing aspect.

“We fully understand the importance of this project to the economic and social wellbeing of Nigeria. In two weeks, we will sit down with the parties for the economic and sustainability analysis. It would take about four weeks to conclude the update,” he assured.

According to the lead contractor, “pre-commencement work,” would thereafter begin, dealing with access to site and putting in place the necessary support infrastructure such as power, water and transportation.

“Our target is to commence the project early next year,” he told President Buhari shortly before the Nigerian leader’s departure at the conclusion of his six-day official trip to China.

AMAECHI VISITS AMBODE, SAYS APAPA PORTS PHASE OF LAGOS-IBADAN RAIL PROJECT TAKES OFF NEXT WEEK

...Movement of Cargo By Rail Will Reduce Traffic Congestion- Gov

...Commends FG’s Approval For Reconstruction Of Apapa-Oshodi Expressway

AgegePulse Magazine

Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi on Thursday visited the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, revealing that work on the Apapa corridor of the Lagos-Ibadan Rail project would commence next week.



Amaechi, who spoke to journalists after a strategic meeting with the Governor and his team at the Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, said it was gratifying to report that contractors would move to site to continue the Lagos-Ibadan Rail Project from Apapa as part of efforts to bring about permanent solution to the perennial traffic gridlock in the axis.

He said: ‘You would recall that the Federal Government had commenced construction of the Lagos-Ibadan railway and the focus was more on the Ibadan and Abeokuta axis because we had challenges in Lagos which included utilities and not much with the communities and I think I have to commend the communities that allow us use their land though we would pay compensation but not much. So, we are grateful to all the communities from Lagos to Ibadan.



“However, we have utility challenges both gas pipes and water and beyond the gas pipes, we also have challenges with bridges to either build or demolish. I remember when we said we wanted to demolish the Costain Bridge, everybody screamed and we had to invite the Lagos Governor to assist us; he took us there and promised that he would pay the compensation.



“I like the fact that the Lagos State Government are also contributing to this whole efforts and so what we have come here to do is to ensure that there is a win-win situation and the Lagos Governor has been very cooperative. He cooperated all the way from the beginning till now and what we have decided is that CCECC should therefore move back to Lagos for construction to commence immediately in Lagos because we are insisting that by December, we should complete the Lagos-Ibadan Railway,” Amaechi said.



He said in addition to the rail projects, the Federal Government was also working on the roads, saying that the combination of the projects would facilitate seamless movement of cargos from Apapa.



“What we are trying to do there is to get a good road to evacuate cargos but it would be faster with the rail. So, while we are working hard to ensure that the rail is delivered by this year ending, the Federal Government has also awarded the contract to deal with the road from Apapa and Tin Can to enable us to evacuate cargos freely which is an addition to the rail,” Amaechi said.



Responding, Governor Ambode lauded the action of the Federal Government to commence work on the Lagos-Ibadan Rail Project from the Apapa axis, expressing optimism that the development would go a long way to enhance movement of cargos from Lagos to other parts of the country. 



“Lagosians would recollect that in the last three weeks, we have had issues with the Apapa gridlock and two times, Mr Vice President had actually visited Lagos and promised that a lot of remedies would take place.



“We want to use this platform to say a big thank you to Mr President and the Federal Executive Council for approving the reconstruction of the Tin Can-Apapa-Oshodi Expressway up to the Toll Gate which was done yesterday. This is in continuation of our efforts at finding permanent solutions to what has been happening in the Apapa axis.



“We also want to say a big thank you to the Minister of Transport and Minister of Works because the rail construction that is coming up and will commence in Lagos from next week is actually from the Apapa Ports up to the Ibadan axis which means that we are having a two-pronged approach to be able to cart away cargos from Lagos to other parts of the country,” Governor Ambode said.



The Governor also commended the Federal Government for approving the reconstruction of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway as part of efforts to finding lasting solution to the perennial traffic gridlock around the axis.



He specially thanked President Muhammadu Buhari; Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, and indeed the entire members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), saying the State Government was grateful for their commitment to end the sufferings of the people in the State.



He said as a follow-up to the initiatives of the Federal Government, there would be a lot of additional construction works across the State especially from the Apapa axis including 10 over-passes to further reduce the sufferings of the people.



Besides, Governor Ambode reiterated the commitment of the State Government to collaborate with the Federal Government to implement impactful projects that would make life comfortable for the people.



“We just want to say that we reiterate the commitment to collaborate with the Federal Government as a State Government to ensure that we reduce the sufferings of Lagosians and I am happy that we have come out from this meeting stronger together with the Federal Ministry of Transport to make sure that this particular rail project is delivered within the next six to twelve months,” Governor Ambode said.

     

It would be recalled that the Federal Government, at the end of Wednesday’s FEC meeting, had approved N72.9billion for the reconstruction of the road from Apapa to the Toll Gate on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Gov. Ambode Unveils Three Executive Boats, Four Jet Skis -AgegePulse

... Targets 2million passengers on water daily

...We‘ll Explore Tourism, Economic Potential Of Waterways, Says Ambode

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday inaugurated three newly acquired executive boats by the State Government, with a pledge to fully explore the tourism and economic potentials of the waterways in the State for the overall benefit of the people.

Speaking at the unveiling of the boats held at Caverton Jetty in Civic Centre area of Victoria Island, the Governor said the State Government was committed to the implementation of the integrated transport management system designed to scale up water, rail and land transportation, saying that the grand plan is to divert at least two million passengers on the waterways daily thereby reducing traffic on the road.

He said the boats and four Jet Skis recently acquired by the State Government to ensure safety and fight crime on the waterways were prelude to major plans to fully activate the potentials of water transportation, while in coming months, the State Government would take delivery of additional seven commercial ferries, among other plans for the sector.

According to him, “This is a significant day for Lagos State as we commission three boats belonging to the Lagos State Government. We discovered that sometimes, we do not have the ability for our officials to go on the waterways to address issues relating to people and citizens that live alongside the waterways.

“As you aware, twenty-five per cent of Lagos is water and it is important that we put in the right initiatives that can actually make activities on our waterways to thrive and the also people living along the waterways to bring them into proper perspective.

“Sometimes when dignitaries come from other States or countries, they are not able to see the true side of Lagos from waterways perspective and that is one of the reasons the State Government decided that we would procure the boats that would help us to promote tourism in the State so that people can see the great potentials of Lagos State,” he said.

Governor Ambode said as much was ongoing on road rehabilitation and construction, as well as the rail system, the water sector was also experiencing specific initiatives such as construction of terminals, channelization, construction of walkways, among others to encourage more people to key into the sector.

He said: “As people are well aware, we are committed to the integrated transport management system that we have promised Lagosians. As much as we are doing on the roads, we have decided that we would face the waterways. We have just ordered the procurement of seven ferries; we have also invited people from the private sector to take over terminals and also be able to procure their own boats and ferries.

“We are so particular about safety; we are so particular about the future of everyone and that is why we decided also that we would do a lot on channelization and dredging on waterways to make it motorable. People will begin to see all these at the end of the first quarter of 2018 and we believe strongly also that both the government boats and the ones from the private sector will start to berth the waterways of Lagos and we will use that to complement what it is that we have on our roads and also use it to complement the future of what we are trying to plan for the rail system.”

He added that over six million people walk every day on Lagos roads and that accounted for why walkways were being constructed across the State, while there are plans to create connectivity between water terminals and the roads, especially in Badore, Ajah, Mile 2, Badagry, Ikorodu and other places where there are terminals.

While stating that the maintenance and sustenance of the boats had been outsourced to specialists to ensure proper usage, Governor Ambode also invited more private sector stakeholders interested to invest in the waterways to partner with the State Government, saying his administration is liberal, transparent and willing to collaborate with interested investors.

In his opening remarks, Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr Adebowale Akinsanya said about thirty commercial routes on the State waterways have been identified for dredging and channelization, while ten jetties spread across the State were being constructed, among other ongoing plans for the sector.

He also said that the Ministry was working in concert with the Ministry of Justice to enforce relevant laws guiding the waterways to ensure compliance with safety standards and checkmate any illegal activity by operators.

Also speaking on safety plans for the waterways, General Manager of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Tiamiyu Adeshina said the Jet Skis would be deployed across the State to aid rescue operation in case of emergency, and also help to fight crime.

“Each of the Jet Skis has the capacity to carry two divers and the idea behind this is that when an incident occurred on the water, there is a Jet Ski that will move divers fast to the incident scene while the rescue boats are coming behind and when they get there, divers are dropping into the waters and as soon as they rescue people, we put them into the rescue boat and take them to hospital,” Adeshina said, just as he revealed  that training to that effect was already ongoing.

Also, the Managing Director of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, said the commissioning was the beginning of sustainable development for the waterways, adding that apart from efforts by the agency to enforce safety standards, the State Government has concluded plans to license 10 new operators who would provide better ferries.

The Governor also inspected ongoing projects on the waterways especially at Orange Island and Lekki Foreshore areas of the State.

History Rewritten as Olu Agege Conferred Chieftaincy Titles On Prominent Personalities

AgegePulse Magazine

History was made in Agege traditional circle yesterday as Olu Agege, HRM Oba Kamila Oyedeji Isiba conferred chieftaincy titles on prominent personalities of Agege Kingdom amidst pomp and circumstances.

The conferment and installation of the New Chiefs and Baales is coming five years after the investiture of HRM Oba, Kamila Isiba as the Olu of Agege Kingdom.

According to the custodian of culture, the palace made careful consultations on all the new chiefs before approving them worthy of the leadership positions.

The colourful event could well be regarded as a perfect description of the popular saying that, chieftaincy titles are only meant for society well-to-dos who have successfully carved a respectable niche for themselves in their respective endeavours.

There was enough quid to spin around for the monetary demands on such occasion as both the new chiefs and their guests proved beyond doubt that they were worthy of the titles.

Below are the New Chiefs and their titles:

- High Chief Lawal Adeshina Badmus becomes Baale Atobaje of Agege  kingdom.

- Chief Babatunde Taiwo Oladehinde Akorede becomes Apesin of Agege kingdom.

- Alhaja Chief Mrs Shakirat Oluwatoyin Kuku Salaudeen becomes Yeye Tayese of Agege Kingdom.

- Chief Lateef Otubu a.k.a EBA becomes Olori Odo of Agege kingdom.

- Chief Dr Jimoh Arobadade becomes Ajana of Agege kingdom.

- High Chief Wakilu becomes Baale Panada of Agege Kingdom.

Top dignitaries who marked attendance at the historic event include: Alaege of Orile Agege, HRM Oba Agbedeji, the Special Adviser to Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker who doubles as Otun of Agege Kingdom, Otunba Richard Osungboye, the chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos State Chapter, Chief Tajudeen Agbede, The Alawowo of Awowo Land, first Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government, Chief Owolabi Dada,  the Oniro of Iro Land, Oba Olasunkanmi Tijani, Chief Mrs Nike Olasoji to mention but a few.

The installations followed sumptuous receptions across event centers in Agege where delightful delicacies and assorted drinks were served.