Attacks on Yorubaland: Ijaw 'militants' or terrorists?

Wife of kidnapped monarch, Oniba of Iba (left) receiving condolence.

 Lets call a spade what it is: the activities of Ijaw 'militants' in Yorubaland in recent times suggest that the media, in general, have been shying away from giving the criminals the right labels.

 Armed men who are neither security forces – recognized by law nor vigilante groups protecting communities - but who have been attacking, killing and kidnapping innocent Nigerians are not militants. They are terrorists.

 In less than two months, these terrorists have carried out attacks within Lagos and Ogun states that have led to several deaths, displacement of families and kidnaps of innocents Nigerians.

 Most embarrassing and insulting to the Yoruba race is the current attack on the people’s monarchy when alleged Ijaw terrorists kidnapped Oniba of Iba, Oba Yushau Oseni from his Lagos residence.

   

Almost daily, there were unpublished reports of kidnap of less privileged Nigerians by the suspected Ijaw terrorists, in Lagos and Ogun States. For example, few days ago, a caller reported to Radio Continental during phone-in-programme of newspaper review in the morning, reported invasion of his residence by armed Ijaw men who later kidnapped two children. The next day, the same caller called the radio station to disclosed that the two children have been released with the assistance of military men after the community parted with N20,000 naira.  

Here are few of some published reports: Militants kidnap man, 30, two days after relocating to Lagos

http://punchng.com/militants-kidnap-man-30-two-days-relocating-lagos/

How Lagos monarch was kidnapped— wife
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/lagos-monarch-kidnapped-wife/

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/lagos-monarch-kidnapped-wife/.

MILITANTS INVADE LAGOS, OGUN COMMUNITIES… KILL OVER 3Ohttp://sunnewsonline.com/militants-invade-lagos-ogun-communities-kill-over-3o/

Ikorodu attacks: We’re not ready to return home — Victims
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/ikorodu-attacks-not-ready-return-home-victims/

Ijaw militants attack on Lagos-Ogun: Afenifere, Yoruba leaders' complicity, conspiracy

Recent attacks by suspected Ijaw militants against Lagos-Ogun communities may not be unconnected to the political divides among Yoruba leaders.

  

Chief Ayo Adebanjo

 With the leadership of Afenifere clearly displaying its romance with Niger Delta leaders, specifically, the Ijaws against mainstream political class in Lagos axis, in the past few years, the militants wing of the Ijaw people appears to have perceived Lagos, specifically, Ikorodu, as enemy territory.

  
Affected communities of the Lagos-Ogun attacks have consistently stated that Ijaw militants were the killers of Yoruba in the last few months on Yoruba soils.

New Eko Dun therefore suggests that the immediate solution to the crisis is a joint Vigilante (from the affected communities) and Nigerian security force efforts to stop the Ijaw militants. Rhetoric and partisan approach of Afenifere and other so-called Yoruba leaders approach cannot proffer solution. From all indications, Afenifere leaders and some other Yoruba groups have been defending Ijaw militants. 

For example, it was not surprising when a group of 'Yoruba leaders', few weeks ago, including Chief Ayo Adebanjo met with some Ijaw leaders in Lagos without any words from the hosts condemning the activities of the Ijaw militants. Reports monitored after the attacks on Ikorodu quoted a joint communiqué defending Ijaw militants. Signed by Chief Adebanjo and and Chief Albert K. Horsfall, leader of the Ijaw delegation, the communiqué stated: “The recent cases of militant attacks in Ikorodu and other places linked by the police to the militants of Ijaw extradition are quite unfortunate. The meeting rejects the Ogun State police Commissioner’s account and therefore requests the police to furnish the public with convincing details of the people that carried out the attacks including their names. This issue should not, however, be allowed to fuel discord and communal violence between the Yoruba and Ijaw nations.”

While the communiqué added the voice of the leaders to the ongoing call for restructuring of the country, it clearly defended the ijaw militants. This posture of the Yoruba leaders led by Chief Adebanjo was clearly saying that while Nigerians were/are waiting for restructuring of the country, the Ijaw militants who have been killing Yoruba people on their soil can go ahead.

Still avoiding calling a spade what it is, another Afenifere leader, Yinka Odumaking, few days ago, during another meeting with Ijaw leaders refused to indict Ijaw militants over the Lagos-Ogun killings. Under another group, Yoruba Unity Forum, Odumakin explained that the only way out of situation was for government to consider the option of state and community policing to deal with all kinds of crimes, arguing that the ‘federal police’ had failed in this regard.

He said, “The consensus we have reached here today is that the perpetrators of the nefarious acts are criminal elements, who are going about disturbing the peace and killing people.”

Again, as we wait for structuring, state police and the other components of true federalism, should Yoruba people be exposed to rampaging Ijaw militants? These so-called Yoruba leaders have failed their people.

Militants’ Missiles threats: Lagos air space, likely target

The threat by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), few months ago to attack Lagos may be coming next week as a new group, Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force (JNDLF) on Thursday threatened to launch six missiles in the Niger Delta region from Tuesday.

Example of a missile ready for action

More worrisome, the militants threatened to shut down Nigerian air space, of which Lagos is among the most important aspect of the country's air space. 
  
Though the NDA has not carried out its threat against Lagos since it started blowing up pipelines in the Niger Delta, the possibility of the new joint group of militants hitting Lagos with missiles cannot be ruled out.  The JNDLF said its fighters trained in missile attack had already arrived the region with its foreign partners.

Last week, panics engulfed Ikorodu axis of Lagos following rumours of planned invasion of Niger Delta militants to attack Lagos, of which the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni assured Lagosians of the command’s readiness to protect lives and property.

In a statement, the JNDLF said that the launching of the missiles would signal its readiness for the final breakup of the Nigeria.

Media reports say the statement was signed by people who identified  themselves as ‘General’ Torunanaowei Latei (Creek Network Coordinator); ‘General’ Agbakakuro Owei-Tauro (Pipeline Bleeding Expert); ‘General’ Akotebe Darikoro (Commander, General Duties) and ‘General’ Pulokiri Ebikade (Intelligence Bureau).

Text of President Buhari’s anniversary speech

President Muhammedu Buhari

 The past years have witnessed huge flows of oil revenues. From 2010 average oil prices were $100 per barrel. But economic and security conditions were deteriorating. We campaigned and won the election on the platform of restoring security, tackling corruption and restructuring the economy. On our arrival, the oil price had collapsed to as low as $30 per barrel and we found nothing had been kept for the rainy day. Oil prices have been declining since 2014 but due to the neglect of the past, the country was not equipped to halt the economy from declining.

The infrastructure, notably rail, power, roads were in a decrepit state. All the four refineries were in a state of disrepair, the pipelines and depots neglected.

Huge debts owed to contractors and suppliers had accumulated. Twenty-seven states could not pay salaries for months. In the north-east, Boko Haram had captured 14 local governments, driven the local authorities out, hoisted their flags. Elsewhere, insecurity was palpable; corruption and impunity were the order of the day. In short, we inherited a state near collapse.

On the economic front, all oil dependent countries, Nigeria included, have been struggling since the drop in prices. Many oil rich states have had to take tough decisions similar to what we are doing. The world, Nigeria included has been dealing with the effects of three significant and simultaneous global shocks starting in 2014:

A 70% drop in oil prices.
Global growth slowdown.
Normalization of monetary policy by the United States federal reserve.
Our problems as a government are like that of a farmer who in a good season harvests ten bags of produce. The proceeds enable him to get by for rest of the year. However, this year he could only manage 3 bags from his farm. He must now think of other ways to make ends meet.

From day one, we purposely set out to correct our condition, to change Nigeria. We reinforced and galvanized our armed forces with new leadership and resources. We marshaled our neighbours in a joint task force to tackle and defeat Boko Haram. By the end of December 2015, all but pockets and remnants had been routed by our gallant armed forces. Our immediate focus is for a gradual and safe return of internally displaced persons in safety and dignity and for the resumption of normalcy in the lives of people living in these areas.

EFCC was given the freedom to pursue corrupt officials and the judiciary was alerted on what Nigerians expect of them in the fight against corruption. On the economy, in particular foreign exchange and fuel shortages, our plan is to save foreign exchange by fast tracking repair of the refineries and producing most of our fuel requirements at home. And by growing more food in Nigeria, mainly rice, wheat and sugar we will save billions of dollars in foreign exchange and drastically reduce our food import bill.

We resolved to keep the Naira steady, as in the past, devaluation had done dreadful harm to the Nigerian economy. Furthermore, I supported the monetary authority’s decision to ensure alignment between monetary policy and fiscal policy. We shall keep a close look on how the recent measures affect the Naira and the economy. But we cannot get away from the fact that a strong currency is predicated on a strong economy. And a strong economy pre-supposes an industrial productive base and a steady export market. The measures we must take, may lead to hardships. The problems Nigerians have faced over the last year have been many and varied. But the real challenge for this government has been reconstructing the spine of the Nigerian state. The last twelve months have been spent collaborating with all arms of government to revive our institutions so that they are more efficient and fit for purpose:

That means a bureaucracy better able to develop and deliver policy
That means an independent judiciary, above suspicion and able to defend citizen’s rights and dispense justice equitably.
That means a legislature that actually legislates effectively and
Above all; that means political parties and politicians committed to serving the Nigerian people rather than themselves.
These are the pillars of the state on which democracy can take root and thrive. But only if they are strong and incorruptible. Accordingly, we are working very hard to introduce some vital structural reforms in the way we conduct government business and lay a solid foundation on which we can build enduring change.

An important first step has been to get our housekeeping right. So we have reduced the extravagant spending of the past. We started boldly with the treasury single account, stopping the leakages in public expenditure.

We then identified forty-three thousand ghost workers through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information system. That represents pay packets totalling N4.2 billion stolen every month.  In addition, we will save Twenty-Three Billion  Naira per annum from official travelling and sitting allowances alone.

Furthermore, the efficiency unit will cut costs and eliminate duplications in ministries and departments. Every little saving helps. The reduction in the number of ministries and work on restructuring and rationalization of the MDAs is well underway. When this work is complete we will have a leaner, more efficient public service that is fit for the purpose of changing nigeria for the good and for good.

As well as making savings, we have changed the way public money is spent. In all my years as a public servant, I have never come across the practice of padding budgets. I am glad to tell you now we not only have a budget, but more importantly, we have a budget process that is more transparent, more inclusive and more closely tied to our development priorities than in the recent past. 30% of the expenditure in this budget is devoted to capital items. Furthermore, we are projecting non-oil revenues to surpass proceeds from oil. Some critics have described the budget exercise as clumsy. Perhaps. But it was an example of consensus building, which is integral to democratic government. In the end we resolved our differences.

We have, therefore, delivered significant milestones on security, corruption and the economy. In respect of the economy, I would like to directly address you on the very painful but inevitable decisions we had to make in the last few weeks specifically on the pump price of fuel and the more flexible exchange rate policy announced by the central bank. It is even more painful for me that a major producer of crude oil with four refineries that once exported refined products is today having to import all of its domestic needs. This is what corruption and mismanagement has done to us and that is why we must fight these ills.

As part of the foundation of the new economy we have had to reform how fuel prices had traditionally been fixed. This step was taken only after protracted consideration of its pros and cons. After comprehensive investigation my advisers and I concluded that the mechanism was unsustainable.

We are also engaged in making recoveries of stolen assets some of which are in different jurisdictions. The processes of recovery can be tedious and time consuming, but today I can confirm that thus far: significant amount of assets have been recovered. A considerable portion of these are at different stages of recovery. Full details of the status and categories of the assets will now be published by the Ministry of Information and updated periodically. When forfeiture formalities are completed these monies will be credited to the treasury and be openly and transparently used in funding developmental projects and the public will be informed.

On the Niger Delta, we are committed to implementing the United Nations Environment Programme report and are advancing clean-up operations. I believe the way forward is to take a sustainable approach to address the issues that affect the delta communities. Re-engineering the amnesty programmes is an example of this. The recent spate of attacks by militants disrupting oil and power installations will not distract us from engaging leaders in the region in addressing Niger Delta problems. If the militants and vandals are testing our resolve, they are much mistaken. We shall apprehend the perpetrators and their sponsors and bring them to justice.

The policy measures and actions taken so far are not to be seen as some experiment in governance. We are fully aware that those vested interests who have held Nigeria back for so long will not give up without a fight. They will sow divisions, sponsor vile press criticisms at home and abroad, incite the public in an effort to create chaos rather than relinquish the vice-like grip they have held on Nigeria.

The economic misfortune we are experiencing in the shape of very low oil prices has provided us with an opportunity to restructure our economy and diversify. We are in the process of promoting agriculture, livestocks, exploiting our solid mineral resources and expanding our industrial and manufacturing base. That way, we will import less and make the social investments necessary to allow us to produce a large and skilled workforce.

Central Bank of Nigeria will offer more fiscal incentives for business that prove capable of manufacturing products that are internationally competitive. We remain committed to reforming the regulatory framework, for investors by improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the first steps along the path of self-sufficiency in rice, wheat and sugar – big users of our scarce foreign exchange – have been taken. The Labour Intensive Farming Enterprise  will boost the economy and ensure inclusive growth in long neglected communities. Special intervention funds through the Bank of Agriculture will provide targeted support. Concerns remain about rising cost of foods such as maize, rice, millet, beans and gari. Farmers tell me that they are worried about the cost of fertilizers, pesticides and the absence of extension services. The federal and state governments are on the same page in tackling these hurdles in our efforts at increased food production and ultimately food security.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the increasing role that our women are playing in revitalizing the agricultural sector. Modern farming is still hard and heavy work and I salute our Nigerian women in sharing this burden. In this respect I am very pleased to announce that the government will shortly be launching the national women’s empowerment fund, which I have approved to provide N1.6 billion in micro-finance loans to women across the nation to assist in rehabilitating the economies of rural communities, particularly those impacted by the insurgency and conflict.

With respect to solid minerals, the minister has produced a roadmap where we will work closely with the world bank and major international investors to ensure through best practices and due diligence that we choose the right partners. Illegal mining remains a problem and we have set up a special security team to protect our assets. Special measures will be in place to protect miners in their work environment.

For too long, ours has been a society that neglects the poor and victimizes the weak. A society that promotes profit and growth over development and freedom. A society that fails to recognize that, to quote the distinguished economist Amartya Sen “ poverty is not just lack of money. It is not having the capability to realize one’s full potential as a human being.”

So, today, I am happy to formally  launch, by far the most ambitious social protection programme in our history. A programme that both seeks to start the process of lifting many from poverty, while at the same time creating the opportunity for people to fend for themselves. In this regard, Five Hundred Billion Naira has been appropriated in the 2016 budget for social intervention programmes in five key areas. We are committed to providing job creation opportunities for five hundred thousand teachers and one hundred thousand artisans across the nation. 5.5 million children are to be provided with nutritious meals through our school feeding programme to improve learning outcomes, as well as enrolment and completion rates. The conditional cash transfer scheme will provide financial support for up to one million vulnerable beneficiaries, and complement the enterprise programme – which will target up to one million market women; four hundred and sixty thousand artisans; and two hundred thousand agricultural workers, nationwide. Finally, through the education grant scheme, we will encourage students studying sciences, technology, engineering and maths, and lay a foundation for human capital development for the next generation

I would like to pay a special tribute to our gallant men and women of the armed forces who are in harm’s way so that the rest of us can live and go about our business in safety. Their work is almost done. The nation owes them a debt of gratitude.

Abroad, we want to assure our neighbours, friends and development partners that Nigeria is firmly committed to democratic principles. We are ready partners in combating terrorism, cyber crimes, control of communicable diseases and protection of the environment. Following on the Paris Agreement, COP 21, we are fully committed to halting and reversing desertification. Elsewhere, we will intensify efforts to tackle erosion, ocean surge, flooding and oil spillage which I referred to earlier by implementing the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report.

We are grateful to the international community notably France, the US, UK and China for their quick response in helping to tackle the recent Ebola outbreak in our sub-region. We also acknowledge the humanity shown by the Italian and German governments in the treatment of boat people, many fleeing from our sub-region because of lack of economic opportunity. We thank all our partners especially several countries in the EU.

We appreciate the valuable work that the UN agencies, particularly UNICEF, ICRC, the World Food Program have been doing. We must also appreciate the World Bank, the Gates Foundation, the Global Fund and Educate A Child of Qatar for the excellent work in our health, education and other sectors.

Fellow citizens let me end on a happy note. To the delight of all, two of the abducted Chibok girls have regained their freedom. During the last one year, not a single day passed without my agonizing about these girls. Our efforts have centred around negotiations to free them safely from their mindless captors. We are still pursuing that course. Their safety is of paramount concern to me and I am sure to most Nigerians. I am very worried about the conditions those still captured might be in. Today I re-affirm our commitment to rescuing our girls. We will never stop until we bring them home safely. As I said before, no girl should be put through the brutality of forced marriage and every Nigerian girl has the right to an education and a life choice.

I thank you and appeal to you to continue supporting the government’s efforts to fix Nigeria.

The Successes, Failings of Gov Ambode in one year.

- scores high in inner road rehabilitation.
- steady improvement in security
 - taking Lagos backward in general environmental management and enforcement of laws. 

From the Light Up Lagos project of Gov Akinwunmi Ambode

In one year, there is no doubt that Lagos State has witnessed quite a remarkable developments in some areas. But equally, the government appeared to have done badly in adding to the improved environment that Lagos State achieved under the last administration of Babatunde Fashola. In fact, Lagos State  in the last one year has degenerated in the areas of enforcement of law and order in environmental-related areas.   

Roads Construction and Rehabilitation.
 In the areas of rehabilitation of roads, particularly in the badly damaged inner roads across some sections of the state, Gov Akinwunmi Ambode deserves commendation. Also, the Gov has done tremendously well in lighting major parts of roads in the state.
For  example, most commendable is the ongoing project of constructing bridge at traffic trouble spot, Abule Egba.

Okada madness on Agege-Motor Road, Lagos highway.

Conspiracy or sabotage against Ambode's government?
In nearly one year, Gov Akinwunmi Ambode has sacked two Chairmen of Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences Units and appointed replacements. Currently, it appears nothing has really changed as regards enforcement of okada (motorcycles as taxi restrictions). Same goes for cart pushers who have increased in ten folds on Lagos highways, competing with PSP LAWMA trucks in waste management.
 
Pictures taken in the past few weeks across select places in Lagos say so much about what looks like conspiracy or sabotage against Ambode's government in the areas of lack of enforcement for decent environment.
 
Recall that in August 2015  Ambode sacked Mr. Akeem Adedeji less than two months after he was engaged as Chairman of Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences Units. Olubukola Abey, a Superintendent of Police replaced Adedeji.
In March after an okada rider went against flow of traffic in Mile 12 and killed a woman, leading to riots and deaths of over 30 people, Ambode sacked Abe.

 The newly reconstructed and upgraded Ajasa-Command Road, Ipaja with street lights, drainage and walk-way in Alimosho Local Government commissioned by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, on Friday, May 27, 2016.

The governor appointed Saidi Yinka Egbeyemi to replace Abe, a Superintendent of Police (SP). But nothing has changed on the restricted roads despite claims of hundreds of commercial motorcycles being seized and riders prosecuted by the government.

Despite reports that the Task Force has been impounding okadas plying the restricted roads as well as the Mobile Courts convicting traffic offenders, the increasing volume of okada riders in Lagos and daily high rate of lawlessness of commercial bus (danfo) drivers are worrisome.  

Cart Pusher on highway in Ikeja

 Environmental management Declines in Lagos.
Never in the history of Lagos, in the last 16 years since Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu's government introduced the PSP has the Lagos environment decine as it is currently. In fact, the purpose of the PSP, which was to eliminate proliferation of dumpsite and cart pushers appeared to have been defeated in the last one year.

Cart pushers on Lagos highways, carrying wastes from one palce to another are daily on the increase. About a month ago, the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Babatunde Adejare, who met community development committees and the Neighbouhood Watch in Ikeja confirmed the declining state of environment in Lagos.

A Punch newspaper of May 2, 2016 puts it this way: Adejare said it was in the interest of residents of the state to patronise the PSP operators and desist from patronising cart pushers and dumping refuse in drainage channels.

Adejare, who was represented by a director in the Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Stephen Adeniji, said, “We must all embrace the PSP option for a safer and cleaner environment. The Lagos State Waste Management Authority is currently educating Lagosians on government policies regarding waste management.”

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Community and Communications, Kehinde Bamigbetan, advocated the setting up of a CDA patrol unit to monitor activities in their domains and ensure that residents patronised the PSP operators.

He said, “The CDCs and CDAs must be involved in project executions in their communities. Community leaders, through monitoring of ongoing projects in their areas, will be able to tell the government if they are satisfied with the progress of the work or not.”

Also, Adejare on Saturday in Badagry warned that the state government had declared zero tolerance for all forms of environmental degradation in the state and would prosecute anyone violating its laws.

Adejare said illegal dumps that currently dotted some parts of the state would not be tolerated, saying they could paint the state in a bad light.

He said, “We need to put a plan in place on how to improve the environment in the state, especially in Badagry. This is one of the ancient towns in the state. We will not accept a dirty environment in Badagry. These rubbish dumps everywhere didn’t walk there; they were created by people.”

Cart Pushers in Maryland.

New Eko Dun fears that Lagos might return to the pre-PSP era if the activities of the cart pushers are not banned completely in line with the laws that set up PSP wate management scheme.

The Okada restriction enforcement and another conspiracy.
It is quite disturbing that the more the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) releases the number of okadas seized, the higher the volume of the law breaking okada riders. But the conspiracy was exposed when the new head of the Task Force Chairman Lagos State Task Force, SP Saheed Olayinka Egbeyemi atteasted one
Edem who claimed to be residing at Flat 11, Block 2, intelligent quarters, Nigerian Army Cantonment, Ojo Lagos was paraded as an impersonator. 
 The Nation newspaper of  May 03, 2016 reported: 
Edem who claimed to be an Army Captain attached to the Military Cantonment, Ojo came for the release of an impounded motorcycle that was arrested at Oshodi Tuesday by the operatives of both the Police and Paramilitary Officers attached to the Agency.
The fake Army Captain who had harassed both Policemen and Paramilitary Officers that he should be allowed to see the Chairman as a matter of urgency was eventually ushered in to see the Chairman.
After listening to Edem’s pleading, SP Egbeyemi questioned him further on his personality as an Army Captain it later turned out that he was just an engineer and not an Army Officer.
The fake captain who doesn’t know that the Agency policy does not allow release of impounded motorcycles came for the release of a ‘BOXER’ motorcycle with chassis NO D2A18AZ3FMW34913X that was impounded for having contravened the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2012.

  The above clearly showed that all along, some officers in the task force team have been conspiring with people like to Edem and releasing seized okada to recalcitrant okada riders.

 Again, the struggling of the government to enforce the laws on okada riders confirm the lack of capacity on the part of the Ambode-led government. It did not take so long under the previous government – after the 2012 Lagos State Traffic laws were enacted – for the then government to rid the highways and other restricted routes of okada riders.

 

Okadas blocking entrance and outlet to major hihway in Ikeja.

As Gov Ambode-led government starts the second year in office, New Eko Dun advises the government to enforce the Lagos State Traffic Laws fully and ensure that cart pushers are taken of the streets. Reason: Leaving okada riders on the restricted routes and allowing Lagos state to be haven for cart pushers are two major potential threats to the security of Lagos State.

Lagos to phase out danfo bus

Finally, the Lagos State Government is on its way in enforcing the state’s Traffic Laws 2012, which, among other areas, aimed at regulating commercial bus routes and standard. Yesterday, the state’s Ministry of Transportation unveiled plan to phase out commercial bus (danfo) and motorcycle (okada).
 

Mini commercial buses in Lagos known as Danfo

During a ministerial briefing to herald Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s one year in office, secretariat Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said new transportation reform would be mandated for commercial bus drivers and their conductors to appear in new uniforms as well as route tags for identification.

   

“We are determined to professionalise road transport sector by curbing tendencies to violence; retrain drivers; create appropriate database and maintain discipline. Other components to be intro-duced are: colour uniformity for all public transport in the state, body tag, re-fleeting, repainting ‘danfos’ with new buses, new number plate, corporate outlook for operators and commuters bus routing system.”

He added that new the buses to be introduced would be 30 seater in place of 14/18 seats Danfo buses. “They (danfo drivers) can exchange their buses for the new buses. Their buses will be part of the equity towards the purchase of the new bus.

He explained how government hoped to deal with phasing out of the danfo buses: “There are two ways of dealing with the issue. There is what they call outright ban and what we call economy displacement. Economic displacement simply means that you leave the residents to make choice.

If we put 250 buses in Oshodi operating at cheaper price, the vehicles are available, comfortable and efficient, who will leave those buses for danfo buses? What we experienced at Ojota, Fadeyi and Ikorodu with commuters on the BRT buses is what will happen. Commuters prefer to stay for more than an hour waiting for buses.”

Mobereola also disclosed how Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has executed the Lagos Light Rail Project till date.  He said: “As you are aware, the phase 1 is from Mile 2 to the National Theatre where infrastructure works is 95 per cent completed.The phase 2 is from the National Theatre to Marina where we have achieved 40 percent completion, and it is anticipated that infrastructure works is scheduled for the end of 2016,” Mobereola said.

As earlier reported exclusively by Newekodun, the commissioner confirmed a proposed rail project from Agbado to Marina. “We are presently discussing with all stakeholders on the construction of red line from Agbado to Marina. We are happy to report that the Federal Government has approved the Right of Way (RoW), as it will run parallel on the existing corridor of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC),” he revealed.

Ambode, Fashola may clash over Apapa-Oshodi Expressway

The rivalry between former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola and the current Gov, Akinwunmi Ambode may be playing out again. Less than a month after the Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Fashola assured Lagos that the damaged portions of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway will be repaired after the signing of the 2016 budget, the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode has also ordered the state’s ministry of works to start working on the same road.

Damaged portion of Apapa-Oshodi Expressway

Last month, the Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Mr Godwin Eke, said on Sunday that the Federal Government was set to begin rehabilitation of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway as well as other federal roads in Lagos. He, however, said that the Federal Ministry of Works was waiting for approval of the 2016 budget, to begin the repairs.

The questions being raised are: if Ambode was aware of the plans by Fashola to fix the road, why not choose another part of major highways in the state for repair instead of focusing on the same Oshodi-Apapa Expressway? For example, the Agege-Motor Road along Oshodi is not excactly in good shape. Why didn’t Ambode attempt to fix the road?

“The Minister, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has given his word that the Apapa/Oshodi expressway and all other federal roads in Lagos and throughout the federation will be fixed soon.

“We are assuring the public that as soon as the budget is passed, we will mobilise the contractors to site to begin repairs on these critical sections, that is, the Ilasamaja/Berliet/Iyana Itire sections,’’ Eke said.

But it seemed that Ambode was unaware of the plans of Fashola to fix the same road: two days ago,  Ambode who made an unscheduled inspection tour of the road while returning from the opening of a 70, 000 capacity Motorbikes Assembly Plant in Mile 2, directed the State’s Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and other relevant government agencies, to immediately move to site and fix the bad portions of the same road.

Sources said Ambode inspected the bad portions of the road between Berlett and Ilasa, and Cele Bus stops, inward Oshodi.  “The state of this road is just not acceptable. We are going to do something about this place immediately. The Oshodi-Apapa Expressway is too strategic to be left like this.

“I have directed officials of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and other relevant agencies to move to site immediately and see what they can do and also create palliatives in the interim to alleviate the plight of motorists.

“I want to assure the people that I share in the difficulties they are going through using this road and we cannot afford to neglect this road,” Ambode said.

 In April, Eke said “We have made some proposals and designs on how to fix the highway and other federal roads in Lagos, but it is tied to the 2016, 2017 and the 2018 budgets.”

The Ticking Okada Bomb in Lagos

* 3 Major okada-related violence clahes in Lagos within 8 months

* Chadians, Nigeriens and Malians among okada riders invading Lagos in high volumes.

As Nigerians wait for a possible Lagos State Government report on the ethnic and communal clash at Mile 12 and Agiliti environs, the deadly fracas that claimed many lives and properties, so far, fingers lawlessness of commercial motorcyclists known as okada riders in the state.

Policemen taking control during the Mile 12 clash. PHOTO BY EMMANUEL OSODI

In fact, the Mile 12 clash, which occurred on Thursday, March 3, and pitted Hausas against their Yoruba host community was the third of three major okada-related violence fracas that had claimed lives and property in Lagos in the last eight to nine months. On each occasion, the lawlessness of okada riders have been the caused of violence that led to loss of lives and property.

  In October last year, okada riders had violence confrontation with policemen in Ajao Estate, near Lagos International Airport (here).

 Before the Ajao estate fracas, reports had it that group of okada riders had engaged policemen in gun battle at Festac (here).

  But the Mile 12 clash appears to be the most deadly, suggesting that okada riders have become stronger than the government. In fact, the violence, according to several newspapers reports, started after an okada rider who rode against traffic knocked down a pedestrian. After the victim died in hospital, it led to ethnic clashes between the Yoruba and Hausa in the Agiliti areas.

 Despite imposition of curfew and closure of the Mile 12 market by Gov Ambode,, repor by Vanguard, three days after, says “kilings continued at Agiliti”  here .

 Wit the increasing number of okada riders in Lagos State, investigations reveal that foreigners, mostly from Niger, Chad and Malians who have violence characteristics are among the motorcyclists. More worrisome, enforcement of restrictions of okada riders to the routes recommended by the Lagos Trafic Lawas 2012 seemed to have been relaxed under Gov Akinwunmi Ambode-led government.

  

Few weeks ago, an Okada rider going against  traffic along Simbiat Abiola Road, Ikeja, Lagos

  

With three major violence clashed caused by okada riders across Lagos under nine months, Lagosians need to be prepared for more to come except the Lagos State Government rise up to the challenge and nip the lawlessness of okada riders in the bud.

  Accros Lagos, the increasing lawlessness of okada riders have been unprecedented: on Ikorodu Road, okada riders are 'lords', riding on BRT corridors and against traffic; along Agege-Motor Road and Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, okada riders who ride against trafic have been alleged to have caused injuries and deaths of many pedestrians; and inside the streets of Lagos, okada riders and causing chaotic traffic jams at major junctions that lead to expressways.