Transportation

Ban: Okada Riders Risk 3 Years Imprisonment as Lagos Starts Phase 2

By Web News 469

The Lagos State Government says defaulters of the ban on commercial motorcycle operators (Okada), risk a three-year jail term, as enforcement for the Phase 2 ban starts on Friday.

The Commissioner for Transport, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, said this during a news conference in Ikeja, adding that the Phase 2 okada ban was in four Local Government Areas and six Local Government Development Councils.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government in August declared a total ban on another four LGAs and six LCDAs mainly in Kosofe (Ikosi-Isheri and Agboyi-Ketu LCDAs); Mushin (Odi-Olowo LCDA); Oshodi (Oshodi-Isolo and Ejigbo LCDAs), and Shomolu (Bariga LCDA).

”We implore the general public to comply, as both the rider and passenger are both liable to three years in prison if prosecuted.

”Their motorcycles will be impounded and crushed in the public view, in line with the provision of Section 46, sub-section 1, 2 & 3 of the Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL), 2018.

”We implore the general public to join hands together with the state government by complying with the decision geared towards combating the monster that okada operation has created so that sanity can return to our state,” Oladeinde said.

He said that 200 officials of the Lagos Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) had been deployed to join other security agencies to enforce the ban in the councils.

According to him, the extension of the ban to four more LGAs and LCDAs is in the right direction to ensure the security of lives and property.

”As a responsive government, we are not leaving the affected passengers stranded without any viable means of transportation, that is why we have made available alternative and sustainable means of transportation.

”The alternative transportation includes the First and Last Mile Bus Transport Scheme, the BRT Scheme, the Lagos e-hailing taxi Scheme (LAGRIDE) and other acceptable modes of transportation, to go about their daily activities.

”The decision and position of the government on okada is very clear, and we are not compromising on this decision, which is to further consolidate on the achievements made so far with particular reference to the decrease in accidents and crime,” the commissioner said.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, also reiterated that the government was not leaving the okada riders stranded.

Omotoso said that the riders could approach the government as a cooperative to get the first and last mile buses.

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Health

Lagos Unveils Abortion Policy

By Web News 534

The Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Health has unveiled a policy document on safe termination of pregnancy.

The 40-page policy document, tagged “Lagos State Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications”, sets out guidelines for safe termination of pregnancy within the ambit of the criminal law of Lagos State.

Presenting and launching the document at a stakeholders’ engagement, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, explained that therapeutic termination of pregnancy is permissible under the law in Lagos State.

He noted that the policy document was borne out of the need to provide evidence-based data and information for health workers in public and private sectors who have the requisite skills and training necessary to provide safe terminations to reduce preventable deaths.

A statement from the Lagos State Ministry of Health quoted Ogboye as saying, “In 2011, the Lagos State House of Assembly updated the criminal code, providing for abortion to save the life and protect the physical health of the woman.  While physical health is covered under the Lagos legal framework, services conforming to the law have not been available in Lagos State health sector.

“This document provides information on relevant laws applicable in Lagos State while providing standards and best practices with regards to legal indications, pre and post-procedure care, methods and monitoring. I must state here that this document has undergone wide consultation with relevant technical stakeholders within the legal and health service context in the State.”

Ogboye explained that the process to develop the guidelines commenced in 2018 with the Safe Engage project led by the Lagos Ministry of Health and hosted by the Society for Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Nigeria, with support from the Population Reference Bureau.

He added that stakeholders in the Stater health sector worked with key opinion leaders in Lagos and the South-West region to develop a tailored advocacy tool for terminations within the legal context.

He pointed out that the advocacy messages on the Safe Engage project focused on two immediate outcomes including ensuring that safe abortion services were available within legal indications in Lagos and domesticating the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, supporting women to terminate a pregnancy caused by rape or incest. Related News

“The guideline was intended to build the capacity of health professionals to identify pregnancies for which legal termination could be instituted.  Marie Stopes International in Nigeria in collaboration with the Population Reference Bureau proposed to support the State government to adapt the document.

He said, “To guide the implementation, one of the follow-up recommendations of the project was the adaptation of the National Standards and Guidelines for Safe Termination of Pregnancy within Legal Indications within the Lagos State context. The Federal Ministry of Health had developed and disseminated the national guidelines on safe termination of pregnancy which highlights the compendium of conditions and circumstances under which termination of pregnancy could be instituted.

The Permanent Secretary explained that the process for National guidelines adaptation included technical meetings to discuss sections of the law supporting safe abortion and conditions permitted within the legal framework to save the lives and the physical health of mothers; and validation meetings with the broader stakeholders to review the document.

“All that hand-work has culminated in today’s dissemination of the guidelines.  We hope this dissemination today will help guide health providers to provide this service within the ambit of the law,” Ogboye added.

Earlier in his remarks, the Country Director of a leading reproductive health organization, Marie Stopes International Organization Nigeria (MSION), Mr. Emmanuel Ajah stated that abortion in Nigeria is not illegal but restrictive. He pointed out that the advocacy messages on the Safe Engage project focused on two immediate outcomes including ensuring that safe abortion services were available within legal indications in Lagos and domesticating the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, supporting women to terminate a pregnancy caused by rape or incest.

The Permanent Secretary explained that the process for National guidelines adaptation included technical meetings to discuss sections of the law supporting safe abortion and conditions permitted within the legal framework to save the lives and the physical health of mothers; and validation meetings with the broader stakeholders to review the document.

“All that handwork has culminated in today’s dissemination of the guidelines.  We hope this dissemination today will help guide health providers to provide this service within the ambit of the law,” Ogboye added.

Earlier in his remarks, the Country Director of a leading reproductive health organization, Marie Stopes International Organization Nigeria (MSION), Mr. Emmanuel Ajah stated that abortion in Nigeria is not illegal but restrictive.

Ajah said significant numbers of health providers are unaware of the legal indications for safe termination of pregnancy.

“The domestication of this policy provides that needed guidance to healthcare providers on medical conditions in pregnancy that pose a high risk to the woman’s life and health if the pregnancy progresses to term, and on the standard management of abortion within the extent of the law in Lagos state” he stated.

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Transportation

No Going Back on Okada Ban -Lagos State Government

By Web News 756

Pandemonium broke out, yesterday, at the Alaba-Rago area of the Mile-2-Badagry expressway in Lagos, after commercial motorcyclists, popularly called Okada, took over the busy road to protest the eviction letter served to occupiers of the market to quit in two weeks.

The Okada riders, who misconstrued the visit to be enforcement of the ban on motorcycles, as directed by the Lagos State government, set up bonfire on the expressway and dared policemen to invade their territory.

The report on the enforcement of the ban on motorbikes spread across the state, with motorcyclists in some parts spoiling for a showdown with the Police.

Vanguard gathered that for several months, there had been negotiations between the state government and representatives of occupiers of the Alaba-Rago market, over the modernisation of the market.

However, a report on the activities of criminals using the market as their hideouts reportedly prompted the state government’s move to give occupiers of the market a deadline to vacate the place.

Some eyewitnesses said immediately after the Task Force handed the letter to a representative of the market, commercial motorcycles blocked the highway, preventing the free flow of traffic.

They were alleged to have also brandished dangerous weapons in preparation to match the police fire-for-fire.

Vanguard learned that policemen from the Area E Command and divisions under the command visited the scene to control the situation. 

On sighting the policemen, the commercial motorcyclists hauled stones and other dangerous objects at the policemen.

Several motorcycles, which were used to barricade the expressway, were seized by the policemen.

Some traders hurriedly closed for the day for fear of their shops being looted.

One of them, Mr Biodun Okenaike, who spoke with newsmen, said: “We had to close our shops for the day because of the gunshots. The first time the policemen came, it was peaceful. We welcome this development because if security agents had done the needful, this area would have been sanitized. Often times, when the criminals steal, they run into the market and that would be the end of that matter. 

“Though some leaders have done their best to curb the excesses of these criminals to no avail, most of them sleep in the market and commit atrocities at night.”

Before the chaos, the Commander RRS, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi and his counterpart at the Lagos State Environment and Special Offenses Unit, Task Force, CSP Sola Jejeloye met the occupants of the market in clusters to inform them of the 14-day vacation order. 

The Public Affairs Officer, Lagos RRS, Femi Moliki, said: “The emerging security reports from the area have shown that Alaba Rago has become a den of criminals. The State Government has concluded plans to modernize the place in the shortest possible time in the best interest of the residents.

Reacting to further disturbances by the okada riders, the Lagos State Government said that it will continue to enforce restrictions on okada.

 In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, said that “the seizure of commercial motorcycles by the Lagos State Task Force will continue, despite the June 1 deadline issued by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for them to leave six Local Government Areas. The six local governments are: Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Apapa and Surulere.

“The deadline does not invalidate the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, which states that “no persons shall ride, drive or propel a motorcycle or tricycle on a major highway within the State, and any person in contravention of this provision commits an offense” and will be made to face the wrath of the law.

“The Lagos State Task Force, led by CSP Shola Jejeloye, has continued to enforce the law. It seized 238 motorcycles in Lekki on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“In Iba on Lagos-Badagry Expressway, where it was violently resisted today, the Task Force seized 195 motorcycles. The riders were operating on highways and bridges in flagrant disobedience of the law because, according to them, they are free to ply unauthorized routes till June 1. This is wrong.

“The February 1, 2020 directive has not been reversed. The enforcement was weakened by COVID-19, which affected all areas of life. Now, the action is being reinforced.”

Vanguard/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

 

Crime

Actor, Baba Ijesa May Face Life Imprisonment

By Web News 942

The Lagos State Government is to press charges against Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, popularly known as ”Baba Ijesa” for sexual assault.

A statement by the Lagos State Commissioner for Justice, Mr, Moyosore Onigbanjo, on Tuesday says the Directorate of Public Prosecutions recommended five charges against the suspects.

The sexual assault charge is punishable by life imprisonment.

Baba Ijesa was recently caught on video tape harassing a minor, which sparked outrage on social media.

Olarewaju, Baba Ijesa was seen confessing to the crime and pleading for forgiveness in a video that went viral on social media.

Mr Onigbanjo, gave assurance that Baba Ijesha would be charged under the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

The charges includes Indecent treatment of a child, which is punishable by seven years imprisonment.

Others are defilement of a child, which is punishable by life imprisonment, and attempted sexual assault by penetration, punishable by 14 years imprisonment, and Sexual Assault, which is punishable by three years imprisonment. Also, sexual assault by penetration is also punishable by life imprisonment.

Health

LASG to Revive Ambulance Points for Emergency Response

By Web News 1422

The Lagos State Government has promised to revive its ambulance points and also establish more in all the Council Development Areas of the State to boost emergency response golden hours.

Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Health, Dr Segun Ogboye made this known when he received the Emergency Management Agency’s team led by the Director General, Dr Femi Oke-Osayintolu who came to brief him on the new development in LASEMA with the aim of ensuring a smooth working relationship between his agency, the Lagos State Health Ambulance services, LASAMBUS and similar agencies under the Ministry.

Dr Ogboye assured LASEMA of a more robust collaboration.

“There’s going to be a committee that will bring together LASEMA, LASAMBUS and other Civil Societies that are working in that space, training first responders, so that we can have a larger pool of first responders, not necessarily from government but people living within that neighbourhood so that we can have quicker response and services” Dr Ogboye stated.

Earlier, DG LASEMA, Dr Oke-Osayintolu explained that the Agency now has two technical partners taking charge of fleet Management and deployment of trained personnel to ensure quicker response time to emergencies.

Dr Oke-Osanyintolu who revealed that the current administration had made provisions for the training of various sets of emergency responders in key sectors announced that LASEMA intends to peg emergency response time to five minutes at most.

The LASEMA team also visited the Pre-Hospital Care Services for Victims of Accident Disaster at the Gbagada General Hospital as well as the Lagos Island General hospital where he solicited prompt treatment of accident and other Emergencies victims.

Omolara Omosanya

 

Health

Lagos Vaccinates 12,720 People in 48 Hours

By Web News 615


The Lagos State Government says it has vaccinated 12,720 people with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine 48 hours after the vaccination exercise commenced in the state.

The state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, made this known through his verified Twitter account @ProfAkinAbayomi, on Thursday while giving the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination update for March 16.

He said that from the 12, 720 people vaccinated, 6,535 were males, while 6,185 females.

The state government started its COVID-19 vaccination exercise on March 15 in 88 health facilities, including military and police hospitals, which have been selected to provide vaccination across the 20 local government areas.

It officially flagged off the roll-out, distribution and administration of the COVID-19 Vaccine on March 12 at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), Yaba.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the state Commissioner for Health, some frontline healthcare workers, among other frontline workers, were vaccinated on March 12.

The state vaccinated 268 people on March 12 at three centres as part of the activities of the vaccine roll-out, while 4,954 were vaccinated on March 15 across the 88 designated vaccine sites across the state.

 On the breakdown of the category of people vaccinated on March 16, Abayomi said that healthcare workers, other frontline workers and strategic leaders in the state were vaccinated.

According to him, the total number of people vaccinated on the reported date were 7,498, with sex distribution being 3,770 males and 3, 728 females.

“Number of male healthcare workers vaccinated were 1,510 and female healthcare workers were 1, 932, making a total of 3,442.

Other frontline workers vaccinated were 2,116 males and 1,680 females, totalling 3,796,” he said.

The commissioner said that 260 strategic leaders in the state were inoculated, comprising 144 men and 116 women. Earlier, Abayomi said that vaccination could only be obtained at any of the 88 accredited facilities listed.

 “Vaccination outside of these locations in Lagos State is highly prohibited, and will attract heavy sanctions through our regulatory agencies,” the commissioner warned.

He assured residents that there was no cause for anxiety concerning getting vaccinated.

“I encourage Lagos residents to be readily available for vaccination, just as Mr Governor @jidesanwoolu, frontline workers and I have been vaccinated.

“It is our personal and collective responsibility to be vaccinated to prevent severity of third and fourth waves of COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. NAN/Vanguard

Environment

LASG Reviews Land Use Charge to Pre-2018 Rate, Waives 3 Years Penalty for Defaulters

By Web News 634

The Lagos State Government has reversed the rate of Land Use Charge, LUC,  to pre-2018 while upholding the 2018 method of valuation.

It has also set up multiple payment channels and a call centre with the number 0700 LAGOS LUC for efficient service and resolution of issues.

The Commissioner for Finance, Dr Rabiu Olowo who made this known during a news briefing in Alausa Ikeja said the 2018 LUC Law has been repelled and replaced with the LUC 2020, while penalties for defaulters in  2017, 2018 and 2019, have been waived.

The immediate past administration had increased the LUC, a move which generated lots of protests and agitation amongst property owners in the State

Dr Olowo said in addition to multiple channels of payment including mobile and internet banking, residents can also walk in to strategic centres across the State to pay the LUC

He stated that self occupied property of pensioners, including all retirees from private and public institutions in the State and persons who have attained the age of 60years and has ceased to be actively engaged in any activities or business for remuneration is now exempted from the LUC.

Listing additional  details of the new law, The Commissioner stated that  profit oriented Cemeteries and  private libraries  are no longer exempted from payment of the Land Use Charge, while the charge on vacant property,  open empty land and agricultural land has been significantly reduced by as much as zero-point-zero-seven-six to eighty seven percent

Dr Olowo pegged the aggregate of the reduction at  forty-eight percent across board.

While appreciating Lagosians who have been committed to the payment of their charge over the years, Dr Olowo appealed to aggrieved property owners to make use of the Land use charge tribunal.

He said a 25 percent early payment discount has also been introduce to mitigate the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on residents.

“Let me state that we share in the pain which the pandemic has brought on every household including the government. While we hope for the return of normalcy to business activities across the State, it is important to let you know that, the payment of LUC is not intended to inflict any hardship on anyone, we believe that we are all partners in progress and together, we can achieve a Greater Lagos of our dream” He said

The Commissioner said with the reform in the LUC, the State revenue would decrease by about five billion naira annually.

Omolara Omosanya.

Education

Lagos State Releases Guidelines on Schools Reopening

By Web News 786

As the gradual resumption of schools is expected to commence on Monday, August 3, 2020, with students preparing to write their West African Examination Council Examination (WASSCE), the Lagos State Government has announced various safety guidelines to be followed in line with the COVID-19 protocol.

Speaking in Alausa, Ikeja, the Director General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni said the government will ensure compliance with the guidelines to safeguard learners, teachers, workers and parents during this time.

To realize this objective, the Office of Education Quality Assurance’s evaluators will be visiting schools across the State’s six (6) Education Districts to ensure compliance.

According to the Director General, some of the guidelines among others include thorough fumigation of all schools’ environment including classrooms, chairs and desks, provision of running water and washing hand soap, provision of hand sanitizer, and wearing of face mask.

Others are avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness and maintaining social distance and one meter physical distancing in sitting arrangement.

Seriki-Ayeni reiterated that SSS3 students are going back to school for the purpose of revision towards their examinations, which come up in two weeks’ time.

“We issued these guidelines towards readiness for the reopening of schools. Presently, schools resumption is limited to SSS 3 students, as they prepare for their final examinations”, said she.

The Director-General disclosed that that during the reopening exercise, officers from her Office would be going round to issue clearance to schools base

on compliance level to the guidelines for reopening of schools.

She said: “It is of immense importance that the Office monitors strict adherence to the protocol to prevent infection and the spread of COVID-19 among the students”.

Since the closure of schools in March, 2020, as a result of the pandemic, the Director General said the Office of Education Quality Assurance has embarked on massive sensitization to ensure public and private schools adhere strictly to the directive of the Lagos State Government with regards to closing down of schools.

According to her, in the on-going monitoring exercise, the Office successfully visited 121 schools across the Six (6) Education Districts in the State and sealed 18 private schools that defied the closure directive of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.

Kikelomo Ifekoya