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.

Soyinka Heads Lagos @ 50 Celebration Committee

In preparation for the Golden Jubilee of Lagos State next year,  Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, has appointed Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka and Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi as Co-Chairmen of the Lagos at 50 Planning Committee.

Prof Wole Soyinka

Included in the committee are Hon. Habeeb Fasinro, Chief Olawale Cole, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, Mr. Abimbola Obafunwa, Prof Senapon Bakare, Mrs. Chika Balogun, Mr. Folarin Coker, Prof. Ademola Abass, Bolanle Austen Peter and Mrs Olufunmilayo Balogun as secretary.

   Lagos State was created on May 27, 1967 by the State Creation and Transitional Provisions Decree No. 14 of 1967, which restructured Nigeria into 12 states.

  During the inauguration of the committee at Lagos House, Ikeja, Ambode expressed confidence in their ability. “Lagos State will be 50 years next year. 50 years is a significant landmark in the life of any individual, institution or state. For Lagos State, it has been an eventful 50 years which deserves to be fittingly celebrated.

 “Lagos is a land of opportunities, offering all residents the chance to succeed in their vocations and endeavours. Lagos provides jobs to more people than any other state in sub-Saharan Africa. Lagos is that place where you have a chance to make it if you work hard.

“Indeed, Lagos State has justified its creation. Apart from being the pacesetter and first among equals in the comity of states in the Nigerian federation, Lagos State also occupies a noticeable position in global affairs especially as the fastest growing mega city in the world.

“With all these in mind, it is imperative that we celebrate Lagos at 50. In celebrating Lagos, we must showcase our cultural heritage. We must celebrate the language, arts, sights and sounds of Lagos. Celebrating Lagos is to celebrate Nigerian unity and progress because Lagos provides the cohesion that keeps Nigeria together.

Lagos Mobile Courts Convict Over 40 offenders

In the last few days, the newly-inaugurated Lagos State Mobile Courts have sprung into action and operatewd in some parts of the state where many offenders were arrested and prosecuted.

 

A Unit of the Lagos Mobile Court during operation.

 

On Thursday, along Lagos-Abeokuta Expresway, specifically, Ikeja Along Bus Stop, a unit of the mobile court prosecuted pedestrians who did not use the bridge as well as motorists who were caught driving against traffic. Also, on Wednesday the courts convicted 41, out of 52 prosecuted traffic and environmental offenders.

  The Lagos State Government inaugurated the Special Offences (Mobile) Courts  on 5 February, 2016, with mandate to return sanity to Lagos roads.

  According to the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Task Force), 14 people were arrested within Agege, 22 from Oshodi and 16 at areas in Apapa, totalling 52 offenders in all.

A statement by Public Affairs Officer of the Task Force, Mr Adebayo Taofiq, indicated that the mobile courts, which held at open spots at Apapa, Oshodi and Agege Local Government Areas, involved magistrates, lawyers, representatives from the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), registrars, cashiers, policemen and towing vehicles.

“Two motorcyclists and four tricycle revenue collectors that were also prosecuted, had their cases struck out for lack of proper documentary evidence.

“Trial in the cases of the remaining five tricycle operators have been adjourned till Thursday, Feb. 11.

“The adjournment was to enable prosecuting counsel, Mr Jimoh Quadri, produce and tender videos and pictures of exact location of arrest from Mr Wilson Alaba, the police officer who Led the operations from the Lagos State Task Force, as evidence to guide the court’s proceedings,’’ The Task Force explained..

  From the 52 prosecutions, 41 were convicted for offences punishable under Section 10 (1) (a) Street Trading and Illegal Markets Prohibition Law of 2003, and were made to pay various fines as options to terms of three to six months imprisonment.

  Magistrates on duty during the mobile courts operations included Mr Nurudeen Layeni (Agege Local Government), Mr Olalekan Aka-Bashorun (Apapa Local Government) and Mr Patrick Nwaka (Oshodi Local Government).

It said that with the commencement of prosecution by the mobile courts, there would be sanity in the system as drivers and riders, including other members of the public, were now expected to comport themselves.

Environmental Laws.

Lagos launches mobile courts to try traffic offenders

 Yesterday, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, launched mobile courts to  try traffic offenders and convict them when necessary. 

Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade (midle) launching the mobile courts

 
Atilade assured that the end is here for “the era of recklessness and impunity on our public roads and highways.”
Recalled that few weeks ago, the Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Chris Olakpe has disclosed that the state government was considering setting up a special mobile court to punish traffic offenders and strengthen traffic regulation in the state.

Atilade lamented that rude motorists commits manslaughters daily on the roads, killing innocent citizens were hardly punished. She cited example of the death of a 25-year-old British Nigerian graduate, Doyin Fagbenro, who was killed by a reckless commercial bus driver about three weeks ago in Lekki-Ajah area of Lagos.
Atilade said: “Those who chose to make life difficult for other people, especially on our roads, should have a re-think, as they would henceforth be held accountable for their deeds.
“Flagrant disregard or violation of traffic rules with impunity is unacceptable and as such, must be discouraged and condemned by all.
“You see them break traffic rules at will and cause needless traffic snag on our roads. They also, most often, drove against traffic and beat the traffic lights, destroy traffic furniture and infrastructure, drive across the road median and through their lawlessness and irresponsible actions, daily inflict pains, grieve and sorrow on fellow citizens.
“Businesses are impeded, as several productive hours are unnecessarily lost in traffic, mostly due to acts of indiscipline by few recalcitrant and obstinate drivers and road users, who are laws unto themselves. As we speak, many have been sent to early graves, while several others are either maimed or lying critically ill in the hospital.
“This must not be allowed to continue. Let it be known to all that the era of recklessness and impunity on our public roads and highways in Lagos State is gone.”
Meanwhile Olakpe had said the government was planning to recruit, at least 1,300 persons into the traffic management agency.  Olakpe said: “We are asking the government to establish a mobile court to try erring drivers and ensure that they bear the consequence of driving against traffic or causing obstruction or using the BRT lanes.”