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2021 Budget: Agege LG to spend N3.5bn
The Chairman, Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, Alhaji Ganiyu Egunjobi on Monday, presented a budget of N3.5 billion for the 2021 fiscal year to the council’s Legislative House.
During the presentation, Egunjobi said the appropriation bill was geared toward consolidating on the progress so far recorded by the council in 2020.
He rated the performance of last year’s budget at 82 per cent.
“This administration is focused on consolidating on the gains and progress we have recorded so far and to ensure improvement in the lives of residents and business owners in Agege,’’ the chairman said.
He lamented that the council’s internally generated revenue went down in 2020 “due to the COVID-19 pandemic which paralysed economic activities’’.
“We hope that this year, there will be a significant increase in the IGR so we can focus more on the maintenance of existing infrastructure and public utilities.’’
According to him, the council will also focus more on the maintenance of a neat and tidy environment, provision of educational equipment and materials in its vocational centres and primary schools.
Egunjobi added that provision of drugs and other equipment for primary health centres and staff clinic among others would be prioritised.
He said there would also be continuous sensitisations of communities on preventable measures against COVID-19.
He said the council would set up more social welfare programmes for residents by providing different kinds of safety net.
This, he added, would include the newly introduced Agege ‘Youths De-radicalisation Programme’ scheduled to start soon.
“This involves the promotion of civic culture among youths to reduce violence, creating well-targeted programmes that ensure a majority of our youths have a sense of belonging and caring for.
“One of the scheme’s objectives is to rid the area of violence and aggressive behaviours,’’ he added.
Under the social welfare programme, Egunjobi said that the council had selected 250 youths across seven wards in the council to take part in the pilot scheme.
According to him, each of the youths would be paid N10,000 monthly.
He said that the beneficiaries would undergo reformative and rehabilitative programmes such as counselling, education, vocational training and employment.
Similarly, the chairman said that 40 petty traders and artisans would equally receive N100,000 under periodic financial empowerment programmes.
He assured that more dividends of democracy would be extended to all and sundry, as every available resource would be judiciously utilised.
The Leader of the Legislative House, Hon Kola Anigbajumo who received the appropriation bill during plenary, assured the council boss of speedy consideration.
He said that the implementation of the budget would bring comfort to the people once approved.
“We shall begin the approval process on the 2021 budget and ensure its speedy consideration as this will bring comfort to our people,’’ Anigbajumo said.
By Esther Agbo
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, affirmed on Sunday that the rainy season would not impede the progress of ongoing critical road projects in the state.
Sanwo-Olu emphasized that many road projects are nearing completion and will significantly alleviate traffic congestion upon their conclusion.
In a post on X, the governor mentioned that state officials conducted an inspection tour of various road projects, including the Opebi-Mende-Ojota Link Bridge and connecting arterial roads. This bridge aims to address significant traffic issues and provide alternative routes for motorists traveling from Toyin, Allen, Opebi to Ojota, benefiting those commuting from Maryland to Ikeja and nearby areas.
The team also inspected additional vital ongoing projects including the construction of the Abiola-Onijemo Link Road with a bridge, the Ikeja Urban Regeneration Project, the Arowojobe Link Bridge and Approach Road in Maryland, and the Agidi Demurin and Church Street Network in the Kosofe Local Government Area.
Despite challenges posed by the weather, contractors are diligently working to meet project deadlines. Progress reports indicate that completion rates for key projects are as follows: Arowojobe Link Bridge and Road at 70%, St Finbarrs Road at 70%, Abiola-Onijemo Link Road with Bridge at 80%, Ikeja GRA regeneration project at 89%, and Opebi-Mende Link Bridge and roads at 85%.
The Governor stated, “These projects reflect our commitment to delivering top-notch infrastructure and driving economic growth for the benefit of all residents.”
A 2023 study by the Danne Institute for Research revealed that Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, loses an astounding N4 trillion annually due to severe traffic congestion. The study, titled ‘Behavioural Causes of Traffic Congestion in Lagos,’ funded by the Bank of Industry and Africa Finance Corporation, highlighted the urgent need for action to mitigate the economic and social impacts.
By Esther Agbo
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to implement smart bins in residential and business areas to enhance waste management efficiency. This initiative was disclosed in a statement by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Muyiwa Gbadegesin.
Gbadegesin noted that LAWMA’s Highway Sanitation Unit and Marine Waste and Vegetal Control Unit have been actively cleaning areas between the Ajah-Jubilee Bridge and Abraham Adesanya Roundabout. The ongoing deep cleaning efforts will extend to Sangotedo and Awoyaya along the newly reconstructed Lekki-Epe Expressway.
Gbadegesin stated via his X handle, emphasizing the state’s zero-tolerance policy for environmental offenses, warning against the dumping of waste on streets, highways, and drainage systems.
“This deep clean exercise will continue to Sangotedo and Awoyaya along the newly re-constructed Lekki-Epe Expressway.
“We are also introducing the new smart bins as the preferred waste bin for households and businesses because it enables us to monitor the efficiency of PSP operators.
“We are enforcing a #ZeroTolerance policy for environmental offences,” he wrote on X, adding that the state would not tolerate dumping of waste on the streets, highways, and drainage channels.
“We are introducing new smart bins as the preferred waste management solution for households and businesses, which will enable us to monitor PSP operators’ efficiency.”
In April, LAWMA addressed a significant waste accumulation in a drainage opposite Adebola Idowu Street in the Kosofe Local Government Area.
Director of Public Affairs, LAWMA, Sade Kadiri, urged residents to manage their waste responsibly, highlighting the risks of mismanaged waste, which can result into flooding and health issues.
By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna
One of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) helicopter has crashed in the early hours of Monday in Tami village, located in the Igabi local government area of Kaduna State.
According to ryewitness reports, the incident occurred at about 5:00am, causing significant alarm among villagers.
The helicopter, on a routine operational flight, experienced technical difficulties that led to the crash. Fortunately, the pilot managed to execute emergency protocols effectively, ensuring his own survival.
Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that the pilot emerged from the wreckage unscathed. Residents of Tami village quickly gathered at the crash site, offering assistance where possible and expressing relief that no live was lost.
“We heard a loud noise and rushed to the scene. We were surprised and relieved to see the pilot alive,” said a villager who witnessed the crash.
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