The Lagos State Government says it plans to inject additional funds into Cooperative Societies across the state to accelerate development.

Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade & Investment, Mrs Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, made this known at a news conference in Alausa in Ikeja, Lagos.

The event was organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment in collaboration with the Lagos State Cooperative Federation (LASCOFED) to kick-start the 2024 International Day of Cooperatives celebration.

Ambrose-Medebem, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Olugbemiga Aina, said that the government had also registered 615 new cooperatives from 2023 to date and had mechanisms to register several more.

She explained that this would be an addition to the over 3,000 existing associations, to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ambrose-Medebem stated that between 2023 and the present, 615 cooperatives were registered, comprising 435 Cooperative Multipurpose Societies, 115 Cooperative Thrift and Credit Societies, and 65 Cooperative Agricultural Multipurpose Societies.

She noted the government’s efforts to verify capabilities and expand the scope of cooperatives beyond workplaces to attract more grants for the state’s development.

“We have over three thousand cooperatives, which is quite small for a Mega City of almost 24 million people. We need to increase the numbers.

“We are proactive in thinking that we need to inject more funds into these cooperative societies.

“That is why this amount has been put in the budget, but we must ensure the proper application of grants based on the technical capabilities of those receiving funds,” she said.

Ambrose-Medebem mentioned that several experts had approached the ministry for capacity building to equip cooperatives for higher funding, benefiting Lagos residents.

She explained that the theme for the 2024 International Cooperatives Day was apt for celebrating the contributions of cooperatives to socio-economic development.

The commissioner outlined the schedule for this year’s International Day of Cooperatives, starting with a news conference.

The event will continue with visits to orphanages and old people’s homes on Wednesday, July 3, at 10:00 a.m., a Jumat Service at Alausa Secretariat Central Mosque on Friday.

Also, there will be Grand Finale on Saturday, July 6, featuring lectures, panel discussions, raffle draws, and merit awards.

The celebration will be concluded on Sunday with a Thanksgiving Service at The Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, at 10:00 a.m.

She emphasised that Lagos State uses this annual event to raise awareness and deepen public knowledge about the benefits of cooperatives.

“The theme for the 2024 International Day of Cooperatives is ‘Cooperatives: Building A Better Future For All,” she stated.

Ambrose-Medebem enumerated the benefits and contributions of cooperatives to wealth creation, social integration, prosperity and economic development.

She highlighted areas of partnership and grants that had helped Cooperative Societies in Lagos State expand their operations, creating wealth and reducing poverty.

She noted that the state government provides an enabling environment for businesses to thrive through cooperatives, promoting economic growth and attracting investors.

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has acknowledged the significant role of over three thousand cooperative societies in the state.

It is would be recalled that associations and enterprises had in times past help citizens improve their lives while contributing to the economic, social and cultural advancement of their communities, the state, and the nation.

The administration recognises the Cooperative Movement as highly democratic, locally autonomous, but internationally integrated,” she concluded.

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Motorists are therefore informed of the alternative routes from point of blockage.

Motorists will be denied access from Ram Seller area beside Gbagada General Hospital and will be diverted into Diya Street through New Garage by Jolad Hospital to access Gbagada Phase 2 via Pedro Road, to link Ikorodu Road for their desired destinations.

Also, Motorists from old Toll Gate/Ketu are advised to make use of Ikorodu Road to connect Anthony, while others coming from Lagos Island via Third Mainland Bridge will be diverted to Adekunle and Herbert Macaulay to access Anthony/Oshodi through Jibowu on Ikorodu road.

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• 54 Viju Milk trucks impounded by LASTMA for illegal parking

.• LASTMA operational vehicles damaged.

The Lagos State Government will be prosecuting five persons arrested for assaulting LASTMA personnel during an enforcement operation in the Oba Akran Avenue area of Ikeja, Lagos.

Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at LASTMA, confirmed that on April 23, 2024, LASTMA operatives conducted an operation to remove illegally parked Viju Milk trucks on Oba Akran Avenue in response to numerous complaints from the public about the trucks causing traffic congestion.

During the operation, four LASTMA officers sustained serious injuries from weapons wielded by Viju Milk truck drivers and local miscreants.

“While LASTMA operational vehicles were vandalized, 54 Viju Milk truck were evacuated by LASTMA during the enforcement operations”

The police, working alongside LASTMA, arrested five persons (Falomo Oluwafemi, Adeniyi Stephen, Olamide Adekunle, Chukwu Guaja Eze and Adeshina Sulaimon) seized various weapons including broken bottles, iron rods, charms, knives, and cutlasses.

The injured LASTMA officers were promptly taken to the hospital for medical attention.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation,Sola Giwa, stated that the arrested individuals would be prosecuted by the government as a deterrent to others.

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By Seyi Babalola

The Lagos State Government has apprehended 10 fake enforcement officials at Cele/Itire axis of the state.
The apprehended persons; Ojo Oluwaseun, Rafiu Agbabiaka, Babatunde Ibrahim, Abiodun Olusegun, Daniel Olanrewaju, Aweda Kabiru, Olufowobi Michael, Olamilekan Olasupo, Bunmi James and Iyiola Shola(female) were caught carrying out unauthorized enforcement, using different fake ID cards.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olawale Musa while addressing journalists, revealed that the arrest was made in response to complaints registered at the Ministry by concerned citizens.
Musa stressed that the suspects are not workers of the Ministry, adding that they will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
He also disclosed that the tow trucks, Identification cards and other equipment owned by these people have been confiscated by the State Government.
He urged members of the public to report illegality promptly to the Ministry of Transportation designated phone lines; 09020004000 and 09020009000

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The diversion plan is for the installation of some vital components of the ongoing pedestrian bridge construction at Ikeja Along.

The alternative routes mapped out for motorists’ use during the early hours of the  two days are; Traffic from Abule Egba to Oshodi will be diverted to Agege Motor Road by “Ile ZIk” to link Akanni Doherty Road and Oba Akran Avenue and proceed to Kodesoh to access the Airport Ramp to connect Bolade/Oshodi.

While; traffic heading to Dopemu/Abule Egba from Bolade/Oshodi, will be diverted to Works Road by PWD inwards Oba Akinjobi Way to access the newly constructed Ikeja Overpass inwards Agege Motor Road to access their desired destinations. Reiterating that the diversion is intentionally fixed for weekend and at early hours, the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi assured that the State’s Traffic Management Personnel will be on ground to manage commuting and minimize inconveniences.

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As a result of the rehabilitation, Asolo Bridge will be cordoned off partly from Mile 12 to Ogolonto.

Consequently the following alternatives have been provided for motorists during the two phases of the repair works.

During the first phase of the repair, motorists heading to Ogolonto/Ikorodu Garage from Ketu, will be diverted into the BRT Corridor from Orita Aje Bus stop, and will exit the lane at Mechanic Workshop to continue their journey.

Motorists from Ogolonto/Ikorodu garage, heading towards  Ketu/Mile 12 axis, will be diverted to the BRT corridor at Mechanic Workshop and exit by Orita Aje Bus Stop/Ajegunle to continue their journey.

For the second phase of the project Ogolonto/Ikorodu garage motorists from Ketu/Mile 12 axis will maintain the service lane, while all BRT buses will be diverted to the service lane by Ajegunle exit to continue their journeys.

All motorists (Private/Commercial and BRT buses) inward Ketu/Mile 12 axis from Ogolonto/Ikorodu garage will continue their journeys through the service lane after Asolo Bridge, while all BRT Buses will be diverted to the BRT lane by Ajegunle inlet.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, implored motorists who ply the corridor to be patient as the State Government has deployed necessary measures including Traffic Management Officials and road signage to ameliorate inconveniences.

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By Demilade Aderibigbe

The Lagos State Government has hinted that it will go hard against illegal dredgers and miners degrading the environment in the state.

It said by next month, any operator caught flouting the state’s laws will be prosecuted.

The government gave the hint on Friday, at the stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Office of Mineral Resources in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR), with all operators in the mining sub-sector which was held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja.

Speaking on the theme: ‘revamping the mineral resources sector in relation to the megacity status of Lagos’ the MEMR Commissioner Mr Abiodun Ogunleye, said the stakeholders’ forum became necessary to fully acquaint all operators of steps being taken the state government through the ministry, to protect the environment and preserve same for the coming generations.

Apart from issuing new guidelines for dredging and mining operations, Ogunleye also launched the new tarpaulin cover proposed by the government for use by operators in covering their trucks to prevent spilling of sands on the road. Also launched is the orange polo shirt to be worn by revenue collectors of the Ministry to give a new identity to its revenue officers.

According to Ogunleye the state government has mandated the Office of Mineral Resources under the Ministry, which supervises mining activities in the state to enforce all relevant laws pertaining to mining and dredging operations in the state.

Ogunleye, who observed that environmental degradation is not in the best interest of the state or the operators, urged the stakeholders to embrace technological innovations to boost their operations and to collaborate with the regulators to ensure that they bequeath a sustainable city to the coming generation.

He said the Sanwo-Olu administration frowns at activities of the operators which negatively impacts the environment and constitute a drawback to the state. He said the government will come very hard against any operator whose activities continue to impact the host community or the state negatively.

Regarding the minerals as the part of the state’s resources, Ogunleye said the government will not fold its hands and watch as some people deplete it unconscionably and in a deplorable manner.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Mineral Resources, Engr Abiola Okanlawon Olowu, said though dredging activities is on the exclusive list, but the government through the Ministry has the mandate to protect Lagosians and all taxpayers from the activities of dredgers and miners who are daily depleting the state’s flora and fauna.

He said the Ministry and that of Waterfront Infrastructure Development will continue to collaborate in protecting the state’s mineral resources, especially in the area of sand mining and ensure that operators play by the rules and regulations laid out by the state.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Engr Solabomi Mosunmola Sasore said the government is in the process of updating its data of miners and dredgers operating in the state, and urged all operators who are yet to register with the state to come on board as they stand to benefit hugely from being recognised as dredgers and miners in the state.

Sasore said the government is interested in working to make things easy for operators and the people should cooperate with it in ensuring that they do not infringe on the rights of others or engage in acts capable of inflicting pains on residents of host communities.

Unveiling the new guidelines, Head Solid Minerals Department, Mr. Soriola Emilio Cardozo, said it has become imperative for any operator in the state to abide by the 14 guidelines carefully put together to ensure the smooth operations of all dredgers and miners.

These includes that any registered mining/dredging company must present relevant evidence of registration with respective Federal Ministry, Department and Agency and NIWA; zero tolerance on land encroachment while permissible depth of plaster inig must not go beyond  three metres and immediate restoration of site must be carried out after decommissioning. The permissible distance between mining sites hauling the same earth materials must not be less than 10kms, while mining of lateritic soil must be 1m above the adjoining state/local government road, and all mining machineries must be in good condition, while personnel must comply with all Lagos State Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) standards.

Others, he said are the installation of first aid box at all dredging and mining sites, non-transferability of mining documents except where there is an approval to that effect, and the imposition of penalty on dredging/mining company that sells wet sand to trucks and load above required capacity and inappropriate channelization of water back to the lagoon. Trucks patronizing their sites must adequately cover their sand with tarpaulin and must be well tucked in before leaving the site. Dredging/mining companies must establish and sustain corporate social responsibility (CSR) with host communities to engender peace and development with proof of these activities submitted yearly to the OMR office.

Yet other guidelines are the imposition of penalties on any dredging/mining company that does not maintain the access road to their stockpiling site, sanctioning of any operators who fails to comply with the state’s zero tolerance on traffic violation during operations; installation of safety signposts at the various sites for ease of accessibility during unsafe incidents onsite by dredging and mining companies, ensuring that their operations do not in any way lead to obstruction of drainage leading to their sites and finally, ensuring zero spillage of used oil during maintenance of all their machineries and vehicles. All used oil must be properly contained in order not to contaminate the state’s subsurface water.

He said all traditional rulers, titled chiefs and other community leaders have been enlisted to assist the government to ensure that dredgers/miners operate within the rules adding that these leaders can report the activities of any one found culpable to the OMR for appropriate sanctions.

He warned community leaders and chiefs against colluding with these operators to destroy their ancestry lands adding that anyone caught would be prosecuted.

Among other dignitaries at the event are; the APC Apex Leader in Epe, Alhaji Seriki Bamu, Member Lagos State House of Assembly (Epe II), Hon Sylvester Ogunkelu, Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Oludotun Odubona, Director, Vehicle Inspection Service Akin-George Fashola, Director Lagos State Safety Commission, Femi Akinoso, Deputy Director Control, Regulation and Enforcement, Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), Engr Abari Richard Olanrewaju, as well as representatives of the Sector Commander FRSC, representative of General Manager LASTMA, and hordes of dredgers/miners.

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The Permanent Secretary in a statement signed by Deputy Director Public Affairs, Mr Kayode Sutton, stated unequivocally that the purported announcement is “fake, fraudulent and do not emanate from the Commission.”

The general public is hereby warned to be wary of such baseless information.

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The Lagos State Government has stressed the need for green and improved air quality across the State to ensure healthy living for the citizenry, noting that the present air quality in many parts of the State as indicated in the State’s Air Quality Index is unhealthy.

As a result, the State government through LASEPA has called for the understanding and joint efforts of the public towards achieving a common and sustainable action plan, geared towards mitigating the climate change effect and its attendant consequences on human health.

The General Manager, of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr. Babatunde Ajayi stated this at the weekend during a media briefing organized to analyse the implication of the current air quality in some parts of the State as indicated in the released air quality index last week.

Ajayi noted that the air quality index as released by his Agency recently was an indication that there is a need for people to be more conscious of what they do to the environment, imploring residents to retrace their steps and join hands with the government in protecting the environment through actions and activities that are more environmentally friendly.

The General Manager, while highlighting some likely consequences of poor air quality as indicated in the index, stated that people in the affected areas may suffer from respiratory-related diseases such as lung infections, asthma, cystic fibrosis, mesothelioma, pulmonary hypertension, and running noses among others.

Other common diseases that may be found in areas with poor air quality, according to the General Manager, include high blood pressure, sight problems, irritation, heart problems, worsened underlying health conditions, and other related health issues.

While highlighting some of the human activities aiding poor air quality and other climate change-related problems, Dr. Ajayi listed emissions from generators in residential areas where there is no regular supply of electricity, adding that vehicular emissions also contribute in no small way to poor air quality in some areas as most motorists pay little or no attention to the maintenance of their vehicles.

He also identified agricultural and industrial emissions as another major contributor to poor air quality, noting that there are other worrisome issues of agricultural activities such as the burning of cow skin as well as emissions from areas with large concentrations of industries.

“The entire Lagos has pockets of industries in different areas, so in areas with high industrial concentration, you will have poorer air quality’’, Ajayi stated.

To regain green and quality air for improved healthy living, the LASEPA boss underscored the importance of tree planting and urged residents to cultivate the habit of planting trees in homes and neighbourhoods to absorb carbon dioxide emitted into the environment.

He urged the people to mark their major celebrations with tree planting to increase the number of trees in public places, adding that tree planting advocacy must be strengthened in all public and private schools so that the youths can imbibe the culture.

While recommending the use of green energy such as solar panels and avoiding as much as possible, the burning of diesel to generate light, Dr. Ajayi noted that green energy is safer, more secure, and very environmentally friendly than diesel or gasoline oil.

The General Manager also advised that people must reduce the number of vehicles on roads through carpooling or a preference for public transportation rather than individuals putting their vehicles on roads daily.

He vowed that his agency would continue to monitor the environment and implement policies that would ensure compliance with government regulations and guidelines towards achieving a cleaner, safer, and pollution-free environment befitting the status of the State as the nation’s Centre of Excellence and the 5th largest economy in Africa.

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This adjustment is to allow clearance of backlog of motorists on the bridge from the Mainland heading to the Island.

The diversion of traffic flow along Iyana-Oworonshoki inwards Adeniji Adele section of the Third Mainland Bridge commenced on the 9th January, 2024 for the first Six weeks with the deployment of 250 Traffic Management Personnel to minimize inconvenience and ensure hitch free movement for Motorists.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi appealed to Motorists to adhere to the traffic management plans rolled out by the State Government, and cooperate with the Traffic Management Officers.

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