Month: <span>September 2020</span>

Lagos Assembly House Committee on Education on Friday inspected some tertiary institutions ahead of resumption in the State.

The Committee led by Hon. Oluyinka Ogundimu, the Chairman, visited Lagos State University, LASU and Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, AOCOED to detect the level of compliance put in place in the safety protocols of COVID-19 within the schools in preparation for resumption on Monday, 14th September, 2020.

Mrs. Ogunleye Balikis, the Provost of AOCOED who received the Lawmakers, highlighted the measures the school has put in place ahead of school resumption.

She stated that awareness banners; wash hand basins; sanitizers and thermometers have been positioned in strategic places around the school, right from the main entrance of the school; also, the importance and advantage of face mask have been printed out in the college bulletin.

“No student will be allowed to enter the school premises without the use of face mask. We have set up a task force which comprises of; Quality Assurance Director, College Librarian, Chief Security Officer and Student Union President to ensure students adhere to the protocols.” She explained.

She added that, “Reflective jackets have been made for the Task Force to distinguish them from other students.”

Hon. Ogundimu during the inspection, expressed disappointment with the findings of the committee, as not all the preventive measures claimed by the provost are installed.

He revealed that all classrooms were locked up with dust and cobwebs.

“There is no need going further when we cannot gain access to the first set of classrooms in the institution. The water taps set at the entrance of the school gate was not properly done and has no soaps for visitors.” He observed.

At the Lagos State University, LASU, the Vice Chancellor Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun while receiving the Lawmakers, expressed delight with their visit.

Prof. Fagbohun highlighted measures stationed for the resumption of academic activities post COVID-19.

“Hand sanitizing booths with soap and thermometers have been installed from the main entrance of the institution and all the entrances of departments within the school. The awareness banners which you would find at every nook and cranny of the school have all the protocols on it for students to obey at all times.”

Adding that the Governing Council of the institution had met to discuss the actualisation of physical social distancing among the students and came up with guidelines on resumption of academic activities for the students. He expounded.

The Vice chancellor, listing the new academic scheduling, noted that only final year students at the 400, 500 and 600 undergraduate level, depending on the duration of the program are permitted to resume academic activities on Monday, 14th September, 2020 and their lecture hours will be from 9am to 3pm daily Monday to Friday. Post Graduate students are to resume also on Monday, 14th September, 2020 but their lectures will strictly hold only on weekends.

He added that 200 to 500 level students will commence academic activities on Monday, 9th November, 2020, while lectures for newly admitted students will commence on Monday, 11th January, 2021.

Prof. Fagbohun also stated that the part-time classes for the Sandwich and Diploma Degree Programmes in Epe Campus will commence lectures on Friday, 13th November, 2020 and their lectures will hold only on weekends.

At the commencement of the inspection, the House Committee started with the Faculty of Law.

Hon. Ogundimu expressed satisfaction with the facilities on ground in and outside of the Faculty and proceeded to the school hospital which he proclaimed in superb standard.

The Chairman, in his remarks stated that, “We have moved round the University and seen the classrooms, entrances and Medical Center and can tell you LASU is ready for resumption.”

“We have seen facilities we have never seen in any institution we have visited.” He added.

The Lawmaker said the agitation of the Academic Staff Union will be looked into since they presented a letter for the new minimum wage to be effected.
“The new minimum wage could have been implemented but due to the COVID-19 lockdown, there was little or nothing anybody could do. We will engage them and agree on when it will be effected.” He said.

Lawmakers on the inspection tour were Hon. Oluyinka Ogundimu, Hon. Bisi Yusuff, Hon. Olawale Abdul-Sobur, Hon. David Setonji.

The Lagos State House of Assembly is set to make provisions for compulsory lane markings, traffic laws signals on highways in the ongoing amendment of the Lagos Traffic Law and Regulations.

The Chairman, House Committee on Transportation, Mr Temitope Adewale (Ifako-Ijaiye I), made this known during an oversight tour of  the Lagos Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Friday.

Adewale said there would be appropriate sanctions for violators of traffic lane marking on the highway, adding that the signs and markings on the highway would further reduce the gridlock experienced by motorists.

“In the new amendment of the Traffic Law before the House, under Section 28 of the bill, we have made provisions for compulsory lane marking, traffic light signals and registering of signs.

“This is to further enhance the LASTMA jobs and the House of Assembly will continue to support the agency,” he said.

Adewale said the assembly had received hundreds of petitions from the public on the excessiveness of LASTMA officials, adding that it was also aware of unruly private and commercial drivers in the state.

He said: “With the population of over 22 million people, we only have 4239 LASTMA officers, therefore, there is a need for more traffic officers on our roads.

“There is a need for improved welfare and there is a need for them to be equipped properly with traffic control infrastructure.

“We know that LASTMA job is the toughest because there is constant vehicular movement from one point to the another everyday within the metropolis and beyond.

“However, it is the duty of the agency to ensure free flow of traffic within the state and we know this has been a difficult task to accomplish,” he said.

Adewale said he was impressed with the rate of enforcement by the agency, urging it to continue to improve on its enforcement exercise in order to have free flow of traffic across the major highways.

Hon. Rasheed Makinde representing Ifako- Ijaye Constituency II while contributing, urged the General manager to liaise with the boundary state on the issue of swift removal of vehicles causing obstruction at the borders of the state to allow free flow of traffic, especially on Lagos-Ibadan highway.

Earlier, General Manager, LASTMA, Mr Olajide Oduyoye, told the committee that the agency was facing numerous challenges such as inadequate provision of space for impounded vehicles.

Oduyoye said other challenges included non-availability of zonal office, change/refresh rooms for officers, non-availability of functional patrol vehicles and inadequate recovery vehicles.

He noted that the agency lacked signage that was required for speed limits and no parking on the highway.

The general manager expressed concern over the intrusion on the highway by street parking and the improper planning approval given to filling stations and event centres.

He said that the agency had a total staff strength of 4239, three officers had been dismissed while 18 had died from active service.

The LASTMA boss said that 13,461 vehicles were involved in traffic violations between January and August this year.

The Committee also visited Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL), Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI) and the Lagos State Number Plate Production Authority.

Other members of the committee present are Hon.Rasheed Makinde (Ifako Ijaye II), Hon. Ganiyu Okanlawon (Kosofe I), Hon. Lanre Afinni (Lagos Island II).

Lagos State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt.Hon (Dr) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa has appealed to the executive arm of government in the state to urgently take another look at the regulation of the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state.

This appeal was made by the Committee on Transport ably led by its Chairman, Hon. Temitope Adewale during a visit as part of its functions of oversight to the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Frederick Oladeinde in his office at Alausa, Ikeja.

Adewale, who was with other Members of the Committee on the visit applauded the head of Executive, Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu for placing priority on Transportation in Lagos State as seen on the THEME agenda, he further urged the state government to put every machinery in place to end gridlock in the state.

According to Hon.Adewale, although the NURTW have put checks in place for their members, there is need to curb the excesses of some of them who disregard traffic rules.

While lamenting the ineffectiveness of enforcement agencies in this regard, Adewale however called for better welfare packages for the concerned agencies to encourage them to stay focused with the tasks before them.

He said: “The enforcement officers should also be well taken care of, in terms of welfare packages, beyond the uniforms,their health insurance must be improved and other benefits should be made available to them.”

He added: “Once we have all these in place, we won’t have the issue of them taking bribes or not generating revenues that are supposed to be accrued to the state.

“From the beginning of the past administration, the people of the state were asking what was the state doing as regards the gridlock in the state.

“This prompted me to move a motion on the floor of the house as regards the transport situation in the state.

“But today, we are here to perform our oversight function to know how far you have gone, the challenges you faced, how well you have implemented the budget in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The lawmaker said he was impressed with the performance of the commissioner, adding that if he continued, the state would be able to record great achievements in the transport system.

Adewale said the amendment of the Transport Law had passed through the second reading in the House and waiting for public hearing soon.

Hon. Temitope Adewale reiterated that the purpose of his visit was to know the challenges and proffer possible solutions. “We will not stop seeking solutions to make transportation easy in Lagos, our population is exploding, but that will not deter us from finding best solutions.”

In response, Dr. Oladeinde informed the Committee that “the state is planning to acquire 2000 units of 11 and 13 seat micro buses to remove the strain on commuters while easing gridlock in the State.”

He also declared that the state had engaged two companies to provide 1000 buses each to be used for the First and the Last Mile Bus Schemes.

“They are Origin Automobile Services which will provide the 11 seat buses while CFAO will provide 13 seat buses,” he said.

Oladeinde also spoke about the Blue and the Red rail lines projects, describing them as the flagship of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s led administration.

The Commissioner said the contract for the red line rail project had been signed, adding that operations would commence in the second quarter of 2022.

He explained that the red line would share track with the standard gauge system of the Lagos-Ibadan rail modernisation project of the federal government, assuring that this would further reduce traffic congestion at key major gridlock points in the state, with corresponding reduction in travel time.

He further disclosed that the move was a giant stride to enhance integration between different mode of transportation in the State.

The Committee also visited the General Manager of Motor Vehicle Administration Agency and Managing Director of Lagos Area Metropolitan Authority (LAMATA) and were pleased with the giant stride they were making in their respective agencies.

Other Committee Members on the oversight tour were, Hon. Rasheed Makinde (Ifako Ijaye II), Hon.Ganiyu Okanlawon (Kosofe I), Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu (Epe II) and Hon.Surajudeen Tijani (Ojo II).

The Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Commerce, Industry and Co-Operatives has ordered for fresh election of the Ram Sellers Association.

This was a resolution of the Committee headed by the Chairman Hon. Okanlawon Sanni during a meeting with the members of the association held at the Assembly complex.

According to the Chairman, a fresh election became necessary to forestall any breakdown of law and order in the market and to ensure inclusiveness.

He said “this government would not allow anybody, individuals or group of people to cause mayhem in the State”.

He said “this government would not allow anybody, individuals or group of people to cause mayhem in the State”.
Earlier, a faction of the association had petitioned the House titled “illegal activities involving Abubakar Langa and Adebayo Oladunjoye collecting illegal tolls at Alaba Rago market and withholding the association’s other documents”.

In the petition signed by Ibrahim Mustapha calling on the House of Assembly to stop Abubakar Langa and Adebayo Oladunjoye from continuous collection of Ram tolls (money) illegally at the Alaba Rago market and also handover the association’s certificate of registration. The Petitioners also asked that they render the account to the new executive.

The petitioner explained further that Abubakar Langa was the Vice Chairman to the late Dauda Alao who was the Chairman of the association before his demise which was terminated March 23rd, 2020 on the day of the inauguration of the new exco members.

He revealed that Adebayo Oladunjoye was the secretary of the caretaker committee during the tenure of late Dauda Alao.

“The association conducted its election March 21st, 2020 which the exco members were elected where Alhaji Ibrahim Mustapha emerged as the new chairman. Since after the election and inauguration of the exco members on March 23rd, 2020, Abubakar Langa and Adebayo Oladunjoye have refused to hand over documents to the new leadership of the association and keep on collecting tolls” , he narrated.

After the submission of the petitioner , the Committee ordered the association to conduct a fresh election that would harmonise all the parties involved and get back to the House of Assembly latest end of October.

The Chairman of the Public Account Committee of the Lagos state House of Assembly, Hon.Nurudeen Solaja, has called for continued unity of purpose between the audit sector and office office of the Accountant-General of the state.

Solaja made the appeal when he welcomed members of the board of the Lagos State Audit Service Commission to the Assembly complex.

The newly appointed board members had paid a courtesy call on the House and at the meeting, Solaja assured them that the committee would give the necessary legal backing to official activities of the board.

He reminded the board members that their primary duty was to promote discipline.

He further advised them to stick to the code of ethics while carrying out their duties.

Hon.Solaja, who is also an accountant, advised the board to create and nurture a relationship with the Office of the Accountant General of the State.

This, he said, is to maintain a healthy and synchronised relationship.

The lawmaker further told the new board members that it was of great importance to carry the office of the Accountant General along in their activities as this would help in developing the Audit sector of the state, especially in line with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards, IPSAS.

The board led by its Chairman, Mrs Adegbuji-Onikoyi Oluwatoyin, stated the need for the familiarisation visit to the committee.

She compared the job of the auditors with that of the Committee on Public Accounts of the State.

“We are both gatekeepers of rules as it concerns expenditure in Lagos State. We ensure that funds are spent accordingly,” she said.

Mrs Adegbuji-Onikoyi also expressed the need for the commission to strip itself of all impediments in carrying out its duties for the state.

She sought that the Commission be independent to achieve transparency and accountability, stating that the only way to achieve this independence is by having funds available when its needed.

Mrs. Kafilat Ogbara, a member of the board, expressed displeasure at the existing structure of the Commission and implored the Assembly to do all that is necessary to change it.

“There is crass unruliness, the auditors are verbally and sometimes, physically assaulted while doing their jobs, we have to look into these,” she said.

She also pointed to the need to train auditors to meet international standards.

Hon. Ajanni Owolabi, a member of the Public Accounts Committee, commended the board and stated that Lagos State Assembly will work with the existing laws of the state to protect the Commission and the auditors.

Hon Owolabi called the board a formidable force to reckon with while stating his confidence in them.

Hon. Rasheed Makinde representing Ifako- Ijaye prayed the board tarry a bit while the Committee looked into their demands. He also urged the members not to relent in their duties.

Others present at the meeting were Ojosipe- Ogundimu Jokotola, Emmanuel Sunday Kapp, Jimoh Akanbi Ibrahim (all Commissioners of the board) and Mr. Ogundeko Sesan (Permanent Secretary).

The families, Buraimoh & Ajakaiye of Gbegegun Village, Sangotedo, Lagos has appealed for the intervention of the State House of Assembly to restore their landed properties, following the purported acquisition of their lands by the State Government under the reference of overriding public interest.

The Committee, therefore in a bid to get a true picture of the situation announced during the meeting with the families on Tuesday; that an inspection visit will be carried out to the areas possessed by the Government from the families.

This followed a petition written to the House by the families, seeking for intervention.

The families disclosed that several attempts and appeals had been made to the State Government to revoke the acquisition on the grounds that they had not been compensated in line with relevant provisions of the Law and no resettlement allocation had been given to them, thereby making them homeless and miserable and displacing them from their ancestral homes without succor.

In response, Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petition & LASIEC, Hon. Victor Akande, stated that when a land is acquired by the government for overriding public interest and it was not used for that purpose, it is incumbent on the family to write the House for intervention and mediation.

The counsel of the families, Mr. Elias Adedokun while expressing the families’ discontent, appealed to the Committee that the annexed lands should be thoroughly investigated judiciously in order to facilitate the return of possession or compensation to the petitioners since it was not used for the purpose it was taken over for.

Members Present: Hon. Noheem Adams, Hon. Ajani Owolabi

In proffering lasting solutions to illegal dredging activities and the generation of more revenue to the State, the Lagos State House of Assembly 7-Man Ad Hoc Committee on illegal dredging has enjoined the State Government, Ministry for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, and the dredging community to unite their efforts in the advancement of legal dredging activities in the State.

The Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee, Hon. Victor Akande made this known during a mediation meeting with the Ministry of Waterfront and the Dredgers Association at the Assembly complex on Thursday.

Hon. Akande expressed that the dredging community need to liaise with the State Government as they are the gatekeepers of the guidelines and master plans of the legal dredging areas in the State, therefore have the best knowledge to steer their activities to avoid litigations and penalties.

With the communal agreement between the Ministry and the dredgers, the Committee directed that the agreement should be formally documented and signed by relevant parties; the Commissioner, Ministry for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, Arch. Kabiru Abdullah and the Permanent Secretary, while the Chairman, Dredgers Association, Mr. Batare and the Secretary of the Association are to co-sign and submit the documents to the Committee on Monday.

Arch. Kabiru Abdullah stated that sand mining in its advantage has impacted greatly on certain locations and environment, “We try to conduct our activities in line to some of the areas marked as “M” in the T.H.E.M.E agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in making Lagos a 21st Century Economy. Therefore, the Ministry must monitor activities of the dredgers by allocating and approving specific areas to dredge and deter them from venturing into illegal areas.” He said.

However, Mr. Batare disclosed that most of the dredgers have EIA with the federal government, appealing to the Committee and the Ministry that the State government should accept the EIA and in return, they would encourage the association members who have not obtained the EIA to file for an application with the Ministry.

He also suggested that the Haulage fees known as “Dredging Impact fees” and other dues be collected by officers allocated to each dredging area.
The Memorandum of Understanding is meant to be submitted to the House on Monday through the Ad Hoc Committee on illegal dredging.

The leadership of the Lagos State House of Assembly has promised its staff of continuous investment in training and capacity building for effective and efficient productivity across all grade levels.

The Clerk of the House, Mr. Azeez Sanni disclosed this at a 5-Day workshop opening programme organised by the House in conjunction with Legis 37 for officers in the Legislative and Publication Directorates held in Abuja.

He said this year’s theme, “Capacity Building in the Legislature: A panacea for the Sustaining Effective Performance” was carefully chosen for the realisation of the correct legislative procedures in the 21st century.

According to him, it is a well known fact that for any Government to be fully successful, it must constantly invest in the training or capacity building of its staff.

He added, “A vibrant, efficient and well informed work force is an invaluable and indispensable asset to any government.”

He further disclosed that, the success story of the Legislative House is remarkable achievements over the years, progress and rising profile as a highly successful legislature in the Federation are based on the fact that leadership of the House places so much premium on staff development, training, retraining capacity building both locally and internationally.

Mr. Sanni commended the personal commitment and dedication of the Staff to their primary responsibilities and ensuring that the policy thrusts of the House are successfully implemented.

The Clerk also used the occasion to commend the team of experts, experienced and seasoned lecturers in the field of legislative training for being professional, adding that their performance and dedication to the vision and mission of the legislature and indeed their partnership in ensuring that the best themes and topics are carefully selected and treated in the programme are second to none.

He equally appreciated the leadership of the House, particularly Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa for deeming it fit to always approve funds for the training and retraining of Staff thereby bringing out the best in their career.

Some of the topics treated at the workshop included; the Bill Process, Public Hearing: The Procedure and Challenges, Impeachment Process: Implementation and Abuse, An Overview of the Influence of the Committee System in the Legislature, Factors Militating Against Effective Oversight in the Nigerian Legislature, among others.

Over one hundred officers attended the workshop.

The Lagos State House Committee on Education during their inspection visit on Wednesday to some secondary schools in Education District 4 Yaba discovered the need to further strengthen the safety measures in order to avert Covid-19 and adhere to the protocols directed by the federal government.

Hon. Ogundinmu, Chairman of the Committee has therefore called on the Ministry of Education to ensure that extra safety measures are installed and all other changes necessitated are effected.

At the first stop during the visitation at Lagos City Senior College; after observing the facilities put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 among the students; the Committee commended the Principal, Mrs. Okuneye Jolade Titilayo on their effort to fight the spread among the pupils in the school.

The next port of call was Birrel Avenue Senior High School. After an assessment of the COVID-19 protocol measures, Hon Ogundimu informed the Principal, (Dr.) Mrs. Adenekan, of his dissatisfaction on the state of the school.

“The classrooms are not conducive for students to learn and we need to call on the Ministry of Education to look into the challenges faced by the school.” He said.

In Herbert Macaulay Girls Senior School, it was gathered that the school has no Mathematics nor Biology teacher which the Chairman noted that the Ministry of Education has to be notified in order to deploy the two major teachers needed in the school.

He also instructed that some students can be taken to Lagos State Model city college to reduce the school’s population.

While in Odibo Senior High School with students’ population of 1,047, Hon. Ogundimu disclosed that the school is also not conducive for learning because some of the buildings are defective and they lack teachers on the subjects such as Mathematics, Fine Arts, Chemistry and Yoruba.

He said the need to call on Lagos State Building Laboratories is key with the view to act fast and look into the school’s fallen fence, as well as inform the Ministry of Education to attend to the school challenges immediately.

Hon. Ogundinmu reiterated at the closure of the inspection visit, the need to call on the Ministry of Education and the State Government to act fastidiously for the good of educational activities in the District.

He added that most of the schools visited had similar challenges and the Committee will work hand in hand with the Ministry of Education to find a lasting solution to the challenges faced by the schools.

Among the schools visited were; Lagos City Senior College, Birrel Avenue Senior High School, Herbert Macaulay Girls Senior High School, Eletu Odibo Senior High School, Fazl-l-Omar Senior School and St. Francis Junior Grammar School.

Other Honorable Members who were on the visitation tour were; Hon. Desmond Elliot, Hon. David Setonji and Hon. Olawale Abdul-Sobur.