LAGOS LOSES N39.616 BILLION TO FIRE, SAVES N139 BILLION

Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Hon. Mohammed-Bello Oyinlomo Danmole

Properties worth N39, 616 billion were lost to fire incidents in the last one year while properties worth N139 billion were saved during the same period in Lagos State.

Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Hon. Mohammed-Bello Oyinlomo Danmole made the revelation at a press conference in Lagos.  He said that a total of 2, 342 distressed calls were received and acted upon.  A breakdown of the figures shows that 1,731 were fire related calls, 102 rescue related calls; 17 were related to collapsed buildings, 458 were false calls while 41 were rescued victims.

He explained that the state government is determined to have functional fire service stations in every local government. “I am pleased to inform you that work on construction of fire service stations at Abesan Housing Estate, Ipaja and Lekki Phase II is about 90 percent completed”, he said adding that the stations will be completed and handed over by the end of 2013.

He said the state was able to install inverters at the headquarters of the state fire service to serve as alternative power supply for the servers and enhance internet accessibility adding that a purchase order for firemen protective apparels such as cork helmet, safety booths and fire protective suits among others to ensure maximum protection for the firemen while on duty.

He said the state government also acquired 118 complete set of breathing apparatus, 11 compressor machines, to enable firemen to work in smoke laden environment where the available air does not support life. He said the compressor machines will be used to refill used breathing apparatus.

He said the state government in addition procured thermal camera for locating trap victims and detect primary source of fire during fire fighting operations in addition to operation uniforms to enhance the image of the firemen and boost their self-esteem.

He appealed to residents of the state to desist from snatching fire apparatus from fire men when there are fire incidents since they are not trained adding that firemen try to locate and fight fire from source to hasten the operation.

FASHOLA OKAYS N10, 000 MERRIMENT TAX FOR LAGOSIANS

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State

IT is now an offence in Lagos State for you to hold a party anywhere in the state without paying N10, 000 as merriment tax to the state government, through the local governments.

Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Ademorin Kuye made the clarification at a press conference in Lagos. He said the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget has carried out a research and came out with the findings that over N1 billion is spent monthly on entertainment in Lagos.

He said people spend the money on entertainment without bothering to pay anything into confers of the state government. He explained that there are individuals who parade themselves as local government staff and collect taxes whereas they are not, adding however that entertainment tax is part of the taxes okayed for local governments in the state

“But concerning merriment, there is merriment tax. It is part of the rates that the local governments can collect. There are statistic taken by the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget that over N1 billion is spent on entertainment monthly in Lagos State. We have it on record. These people, how many of them pay tax? And the money goes into drinks, Champagne, food, hall rentals, aso-ebi and all of that. When they pay all of these, they won’t pay anything to the government. So, please you have to bear with us”, he pleaded.

 

 

EMERGENCY RULE: YOU SPEAK FROM CONFUSED STATE OF MIND, PDP TELLS ACN

Olisa Metuh, PDP publicity secretary

The ruling People’s Democratic Party(PDP) has described the Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN) as either a political party made up of blackmailers, who do not mind doing the trifle to remain relevant, or a political party actively conniving at this mindless war on Nigeria.

Metuh made the remarks in reaction to a statement attributed to ACN on the declaration of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa state by President Goodluck Jonathan. The ACN had through its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed had said that deployment of troops by the President to affected states would be counterproductive.

“Yesterday, the ACN, the sole repository of Solomonic wisdom, who was against Amnesty to insurgents, who indeed described the Federal Government in unprintables has today turned a proselyte of amnesty and dialogue.

“Few things are possible. The ACN and their cohorts in the opposition are behind insurgents and therefore must subvert every measure taken by government to tackle escalating insurgency. We recall that the opposition boasted recently that they would end the Boko Haram scourge within two months of their presidency. There is no smoke without fire. The other is that the opposition sees the escalating terror as short-cut to power. Recall also that the statements of the leaders of the opposition at the eve 2011 presidential election gave birth to violence which has snowballed today into terrorism. We therefore call on the leaders of the opposition to remove the mask on their faces and publicly declare their stand,” Metuh, said.

Metuh explained that state of emergency does not run contra to the spirit and the assignment of the presidential committee on amnesty adding that the committee will take the job to its logical, fruitful end while the deployment of more troops under the emergency rule is an irreducible necessity to stem a determined war on the nation.

“May we also educate the ACN that a just and equitable society cannot be achieved over night in the same manner, good governance is not an already- made commodity waiting on the counter.   We wish to emphasize that in over a decade, the PDP has not only rebuilt the decayed fabrics of the nation but has taken recognizable and commendable steps in the direction of good governance.  We shall remain committed to that despite distractions”, he said.

“What is new in what the President has done if we must again tell the ACN, is that President Jonathan is a core democrat, who appreciates the core values of democracy and who believes firmly that democracy must be practiced in Nigeria in its undiluted form. (Perhaps the ACN had waited for the dissolution of political structures so as to stretch further it’s blackmail) What is new is that the President by offering amnesty has opened the window for insurgents with genuine agitations to access redress while stopping intransigent criminality from consuming the nation,” he said.

 

 

LAGOS EXPLAINS LG CHAIRMEN TENURE ELONGATION BILL

The Lagos State Government today explained reasons for the Executive Bill  pending  in the Lagos State House of Assembly

Commissioner for Local Goverment and Chieftaincy Affairs. Mr. Ademorin Kuye, with clenched fist

on Tenure Elongation, stressing that the intention of the state was to standardize government at the local government level and bring it at par with that of the state governors.

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Ademorin Kuye who made the revelation at a press conference in Lagos said there is the need to give elected chairmen enough time to really execute projects adding that he is sure that the Lagos State House of Assembly will soon hold a public hearing on the bill adding that the bill if passed will completely obliterate the cost of conducting frequent elections in the local governments.

“The bill is for tenure of Local Government chairmen to be increased to four years. But of course we have given it to elected representatives at the House of assembly. I am sure that they will have a public hearing on it, but the reason for it is that there is need for us to standardize government at the local government and there is the need for us to give the Local government chairmen time to really execute project and if you remember, the cost of conducting these frequent elections, the manpower and resources that goes into these regular elections cannot be quantified”, he said.

He acknowledged receipt of petitions from councillors in some local governments, adding that the ministry has put machinery in motion to resolve issues concerned adding that what actually transpired between the councillors and their chairmen was lack of understanding of governance at the local government as new comers in the area. He said that with sufficient orientation, via seminars and workshops, the councillors would align with the thinking of governance in the state.

EKO ATLANTIC CITY PROJECT IS MIND BLOWING SAYS UMUNNA

Chukka Umunna, UK Under Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills

Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovations and Skills in the United Kingdom, Mr. Chukka Umunna  MP, has described the Lagos Eko Atlantic City Project as mind-blowing and extra-ordinary, saying that he stood in awe when he visited the site.

Umunna who led a business delegation of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industries and UK Trade and Investment, North West caucus on a courtesy visit to the Governor of the State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola said he was amazed at the transformation and the changes in the state compared to what he saw 22 years ago when he visited.

He gave the example of the ambitious and modern inter modal transport system being put in place and specifically pointed to the road expansion and beautification at the Yaba area of the state and assured that he has come with some of the best business people in the UK to see areas of potential investment and expressed the hope that both parties would find mutual and critical areas that need quick investment drive.

Fashola applauded the delegation for showing  interest in Lagos, pointing out that Lagos accounts for more than 60% of economic activities in Nigeria.  Speaking in behalf of the state governor, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Oluranti Adebule said the state embarked on the project to lead it into economic prosperity.

He assured the visiting team that  opportunities for profitable investment in the state are enormous and called on the delegation to repeat the visit so as to have enough time to take a tour of the state and have firsthand knowledge of numerous on-going and completed projects.

 

CHINUA ACHEBE WINS NIGERIAN PATRIOT SEARCH

Late Professor Chinua Achebe, nominated Nigerian Patriot

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced that the late literary giant, Professor Chinua Achebe has been voted  Nigerian Patriot., while Destiny Young who nominated him is now qualified for a dinner with the PDP governor of his choice.

Achebe was nominated in the social media in the PDP sponsored promo, Nigerian Patriot Search. Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh who made the announcement said Achebe received the highest number of votes.

“Consequently, Mr. Destiny Young, a senior architect at Centre Point Technologies at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, who nominated Achebe has emerged winner of the promo that ran on the PDP official Facebook page (officialpeoplesdemocraticparty) from April 17 to May 15, 2013.

Announcing the winner Metuh, said the exercise was aimed at searching for the most patriotic Nigerian whose selflessness inspired many Nigerians since independence and to engage Nigerians in a soul searching exercise to immortalize Nigerian citizens that have positively impacted on the society.

“We initiated this promo with the objective to identify that Nigerian whose selflessness is worth emulating and who should be seen as a Hero by every Nigerian. This is part of a re-orientation campaign we have initiated towards our goal of sustaining national unity. I wish to congratulate Mr. Young Destiny as the winner of this contest and also appreciate every Nigerian who took part in this exercise.

“The promo which ended on Wednesday at 6.00 pm, attracted many comments and “likes” and was shared by a lot of Facebook users. The person whose comment had the highest number of “likes”  was to  be declared the winner and have an opportunity of meeting and having dinner with a PDP Governor or Minister of their choice”, he said.

Metuh observed that the exercise was completely transparent and that the winner emerged based on automatic on-line and real time counting by Facebook which eliminated any form of participation or interference by the organizers. He congratulated the runner-ups which includes Musa Mikaya who nominated Gen. Yakubu Gowon; Toba Owojaiye, who nominated of General Theophilus Danjuma as well as Miss Nonye Amaliri, who nominated the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, to emerge the only lady on the first four runners-up.

 

 

STATE OF EMERGENCY: JONATHAN ACTED CONSTITUTIONALLY SAYS KEYAMO

Human Rights Lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo

“OBASANJO ACTED IN BREACH IN HIS TIME”

The Human Right Lawyer, who has declared his intention to contest for Governorship in Delta State at the 2015 general election has said that President Goodluck Jonathan acted  constitutionally by retaining governors in the three northern states, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, where he declared state of emergency, owing to insurgent of Boko Haram in those states.

“The declaration of a State of Emergency by President Goodluck Jonathan in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States as a result of months of ceaseless bloodshed and carnage by insurgents is a step that has long been overdue. The bloodletting in these States left the President with no other option but to take this extraordinary step. This step must be appreciated in the light of the refusal of the insurgents to even dialogue with the Federal Government.

“The primary duty of any Government is to protect lives and properties and it is only right that government should dig deep to find a lasting solution to this ceaseless carnage. However, there are strong caveats we must issue to government in respect of this extraordinary action: (1)   That government must not in any way politicize this action. It is constitutionally correct that the President did not attempt to suspend the Governors from office as nothing in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) gives him such a power. What Obasanjo did in the past in suspending Governors through a declaration of a State of Emergency was illegal, unconstitutional, null and void. Unfortunately, none of the Governors had the mettle to challenge him in court.

(2)        That the military must be careful at all times not to trample on the fundamental rights of innocent citizens in these States, so that they do not become the scourge rather than solution.

(3)        The President must follow all the steps required in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution as amended to legitimize his action.

(4)        That the moment calm is restored, the troops must return to the barracks so as not to give the military unholy ideas about their role in our democracy. We all owe it a duty to assist government to restore law and order in the country. It is for our overall benefit”, he said.