9icest: ....HAS ANY OF YOUR STATE GOVERNMENT DONE SUCH FOR SOMEONE FROM THE SW!

naptu2: Skills Acquisition Centers. The Lagos State Skills Acquisition Centers are set up for people who do not have jobs, to enable them to learn skills that will enable them earn a living. Any unemployed person can attend the skills acquisition centres, but there is also a special set of people who are sent to the centres by the government after being screened. These set of people are the area boys, homeless, street traders, beggars, etc.

Below is the process for the special class of attendees:

[size=14pt]The Process[/size]

1)The environmental laws of Lagos State (laws against street trading, begging, etc) have been in place at least since the 1970s (probably earlier). They've been reviewed quite a number of times (Akhigbe, Rasaki, Tinubu).

2) The process was fully established by the Tinubu Administration.

3) Beggars, street traders, destitutes, area boys, psychotics, etc are arrested by the Task Force on Environmental Offences.

4) They are given a choice: (a) go to prison (b) go to rehabilitation centre (c) return to your state of origin.

A) The law stipulates punishment for those who commit these offences. They include prison term, fine, forfeiture of goods.

B) Rehabilitation centres were set up (the most famous/infamous was at Ita-Oko Island). At the centres the inmates are sorted. They are tested for drugs. Those who are drug addicts are detoxified. Those who have mental illnesses are sent to the asylum. The inmates (apart from the lunatics) are then taught skills (skills acquisition centre) so that they'll be able to earn a living. When they complete the course, they are given a loan with which they will start a business and made to sign an undertaking that they will not return to the streets.

C) Return: Those who choose to return are transported to their state of origin. The state government is usually informed ahead of time (although I know of 3 instances in which their state governments claimed that they were not informed) so that they can make arrangements to cater for the people. Most of the people who have chosen to return are from the northern part of the country (note: they chose to return).

nwabobo:

Peter Obi donates land to Yoruba community;

http://dailyindependentnig.com/2013/07/obi-donates-land-to-hausa-yoruba-communities/

naptu2: Students of the skills acquisition centres make the costumes that are used for the annual Lagos Carnival, while sponsors of the carnival bear the cost (participants in the carnival are given the costumes for free).

Upon graduation they are given interest free loans by the Lagos Micro-Finance Institution (LASMI).

naptu2: Some of the skills acquisition centres:

Epe Skill Acquisition Centre
Eredo Village, Adjacent to Eredo Local Council Development Office,

Epe, Ijebu Ode Road, Eredo Epe.               

Tel: 08056111965

Epe Skill Acquisition Centre
Igbo - Oye Village, off Epe- Ijebu-Ode Road.                                                

Tel: 08033538429                               

Ikorodu I Skill Acquisition Centre

45, Oriwu Road, Ita - Elewa, Ikorodu.    

Tel: 08023417779                               

Kosofe Skill Acquisition Centre                      

9, Folashade Ajayi Street, off Adebayo Mokuolu Street, Anthony Village.                                              

Tel: 08034721168

Lagos Island Skill Acquisition Centre            

Oja Oba Model Market Complex, Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos Island.         

Tel: 08023375408                               

Surulere Skill Acquisition Centre

Iyun Road, Beside Police Station, off Western Avenue, Hogan Bassey, Surulere.                                    

Tel: 01-8709118                                 

Ejigbo Skill Acquisition Centre

Oshodi Isolo LASTMA Compound, Ejigbo Road, Ejigbo.                                              
Tel: 08023602558                                

Mushin Skill Acquisition Centre

Olawoyin Street,
Off Layi Oyekanmi Palm Avenue,
Mushin

Millennium School Compound,         

Karimu Laka Street,                        

Tel: 08023213126                   

Amuwo-Odofin Skill Acquisition Centre

Council Development Area              

Oriade,

Ijegu

Tel: 08033486587

Shibiri Skill Acquisition Centre

Shibiri - Ekunpa Road,

Shibiri,
Ojo     

Tel: 08062476097

Badagry Skill Acquisition Centre

Marina Road, Beside Divisional Libarary,

Badagry                          

Tel: 08023045263       

Egan Skill Acquisition Centre

Egan Road, Igando Market Bus                 

Stop, off LASU Expressway.             

Tel: 08023139747/07025292805      

IBA Skill Acquisition Centre

Iba LCDA Compound,

Iba.

Tel: 08023964301                             

Ikor

Aga, Ikorodu.
Tel: 08023417779

Ibeju Lekki Skill Acquisition Centre

Orimedu Town,

Off Eleko Beach,

Ibeju Lekki

Women Development Centre

Oba-Akinjobi Road,

Pen Cinema Agege,

Isheri Rehabilitation/Skill Acquisition Centre

Opposite Sweet Sensation,

Isheri-Olowoira,

Ojodu, Berger.

Ajibel: The govt cannot provide jobs for everyone. I know of 6men- 3 Igbos, 2 Ijaws and 1 Yoruba folks that were arrested then later on after some hours were transferred to skill acquisition centres to train. 2 are thro' with their training and are nau self-employed as an upholsterer and furniture maker. Its just that the population makes the efforts of the govt go unnoticed. The govt just needs to expand its capacity to accomodate more

Eko Ile:




















Press Releases

Fashola Hands Over Mushin Skills Acquisition And Vocational Centre
…Says 13,422 men, women have so far been trained through them

Feb 15, 2011 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola on Tuesday handed over the 17th Skills Acquisition and Vocational Centre in the State located at Mushin, revealing that the State has so far trained about 13,422 men and women.

Governor Fashola who spoke at the official commissioning of the Mushin Skill Acquisition Centre said from Amuwo Odofin, Badagry, Egan, Egbeda and Ejigbo, through Eredo, Iba, Ibeju Leki, Igbooye, Ikorodu and Kosofe to Lagos Island, Shibiri in Ojo, Surulere and Agege, the State has continually turned out thousands of young men and women with productive skills with which they are putting food on thousands of tables and contributing to the economy of the State.

The Governor said apart from the sustained support which the State gives to the ordinary people, Government has evolved a people oriented policy of facilitating training for the young people to acquire skills and granting them access to credit to start their own businesses, Government has also created a database for them to establish their location and for them to relate with themselves through the compilation and publication of the Lagos State Business Directory which is similar to "Yellow Pages".

He said beyond all the support for ordinary people, the State has evolved a people oriented policy of patronizing the local manufacturers and entrepreneurs over the foreign producers.

He recalled that the 2010 Lagos Carnival is a clear testimony of the practice as the over 93, 000 pieces of costumes used for the carnival that could have been imported much cheaper was commissioned for local production.

He stressed that the decision to site skill acquisition centres in different parts of the state was part of the administration's resolve to encourage young people to acquire vocational skills and create an avenue to make money and sustain themselves.

Governor Fashola expressed his worry at the recent policy shift by the Federal Government which allows importation of furniture, toothpick, textiles and vehicles of 15 years into the country.

He described the step as an economic tragedy for the nation which is not defensible and called for its reversal.

Governor Fashola stressed that the frenzy of importation has killed the local economy leading to high rate of unemployment and noting that smuggling could be tamed by well structured security mechanisms rather than throwing the flood gates open of goods to all sorts.

"This policy decision is not the answer to the problem of smuggling. The answer to the problem of smuggling lies rather in a methodical and multi-dimensional response. It includes the strengthening of the Customs through technology such as scanners, to improving the local productive capacity of our people and reducing dependence on imports and its attraction", he added.

He said if the Federal Government reverses the policy on importation and concentrate on stimulating the growth of the local industry through accelerated electricity supply, "our freight forwarders, our customs and our ports will become busier from a positive reversal of fortunes that is driven by an export oriented economy rather than an import driven economy".

He urged the people to vote massively for all the candidates of the Action Congress of Nigeria in Lagos because it is the only party that can deliver the goods which is very visible for everyone to see.

He urged the people of Lagos State not to give the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) any chance to rule in any part of the country anymore, adding that it is a party that is rebranding on a vision that is giving Nigerians insecurity and inflicting a nightmare on the people.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said the location of the centre in Mushin is informed by the administration's policy of tackling poverty and women empowerment at the grassroots.

She said the numerous skill acquisition programmes of the Ministry has offered diverse opportunities to all classes of Lagosians to learn various vocations after which they are provided with needed capital and conducive environment to start practicing their trade.

Mrs Orelope-Adefulire said that so far, over 60,000 grassroots women and youths have been trained in year 2010 alone through the Acquisition centres.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Mr Babatunde Adepitan said the construction of the Skills Acquisition Centre in Mushin at that particular spot is another miracle of the century which could be better compared to what happened at Oshodi.

He said as a responsible Government the Council received the gift with both hands and has complimented the efforts of the State by immediately constructing all the roads leading to the centre.

In a message of solidarity Commissioner for Environment, Dr Muiz Banire who is also an indigene of the area commended Governor Babatunde Fashola and his team for a job well done in transforming Lagos State.

He said the site of the project was hitherto a major security risk for the residents of the area just as it also constituted an environmental disaster spot, saying through the resourcefulness of the present administration, it has been transformed.

The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan, members of the State Executive Council, members of the National Assembly and State Assembly representing Mushin and political leaders as well as enthusiastic residents of the area who trooped out to receive the Governor witness the event.

mekusxxx: Print version ‘Area Boys’ Burn Rehabilitation Centre
February 17, 2010 17:16, 105 views

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The multi-million naira Lagos State Rehabilitation and Skills Acquisition Centre, Tekunle, Lagos State has been burnt by area boys taken to the centre for rehabilitation.

The centre was built by former Governor Bola Tinubu about six years ago to rehabilitate area boys and drug addicts arrested on the streets of Lagos.

Tekunle is an Island at a remote area of Lekki and has often been described as a ‘place of no return’ because of its inaccessibility.

Area boys taken to the Island, after sometime adjust to the environment and learn useful skills such as tailoring, carpentry, vulcanizing, among others for a period of nine months after which they are sent back into the society to live meaningful lives.

However, P.M.NEWS gathered that scores of area boys sent for rehabilitation went on the rampage recently and razed the centre.

Equipment bought with millions of naira and the buildings in the centre were burnt by the area boys, bringing to an end the rehabilitation programme of the Lagos State Government for social miscreants.

It could not be ascertain why the area boys went on the rampage.

P.M.NEWS gathered, however, that the trainees revolted when they were being flogged for refusing to carry out certain instruction.

Officers of the Lagos State Taskforce on Environment and Special Offences unit, it was further learnt, saved the day as they stormed the centre and arrested scores of the area boys who carried out the act.

Chairman of the Task Force, Bayo Sulaiman, when contacted told P.M.NEWS that those arrested had been charged to the Tapa Customary Court, Lagos Island for arson.

He disclosed that the suspects were currently being remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons, adding that the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Supo Sasore, was handling the case for the government.

When asked to give details on how the area boys burnt the centre, he declined, saying that our reporter should go to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development to get such information.

When contacted, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Kamal Junaid said: “I don’t know anything about it; you can contact the Public Relations Officer or the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth, Sports and Social Development.”

Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth, Sports and Social Development, Dr. Dolapo Badru, could not be reached.

One of his aides who picked the call said his boss was in a meeting and that we should call later.

Since the inception of the centre, about four sets of area boys had been rehabilitated and empowered to live meaningful lives in the society.

Some of them had told stories of their wretched past and how their lives changed when they were rehabilitated at the training centre.

With the burning of the centre, it appears the laudable plan of the state government to rehabilitate the notorious area boys has been dealt a mortal blow.

naptu2: [size=14pt]LASMI to partner financially capable microfinance banks[/size]

Tweet

March 21, 2011 | 3:53 pm

Finance

By  Amaka Abayomi

In its bid to eradicate poverty and financially empower Lagosians, the Chairman of Lagos State Microfinance Institution (LASMI), Bashorun Alabi-Macfoy, has said the Institute is willing to partner with financially capable microfinance banks, MFBs, that have good assets and customer base to achieve total self empowerment of the poor.

Speaking to Vanguard, Alabi-Macfoy said government has set aside a huge sum of money for micro lending and this would need MFBs to facilitate it.

“For 2011, we are looking at continuation with MFBs because LASMI is looking for financially capable MFBs that have good asset and customer base, particularly those that are good at group or cooperative lending to partner with.

“To this end, we have sent out our monitoring officers to watch their activities and visit their customers to see how they are performing because these would serve as pointers for us to know how to deal with them this year. But we would mainly deal with MFBs that concentrate on group rather than individual lending because the group pressure would force all the members not to default on payment.”

Alabi-Macfoy said government, through LASMI, has been doing a lot to eradicate poverty and 250,000 people were empowered in 2010.

[b]“In 2010, we extended our activities to the taxi cab operators who needed micro_funding because they get people to buy used vehicles for them and they deliver an agreed amount daily. At the end, they are poorer and the vehicles don’t belong to them.

“Government to come up with a programme to partner with the taxi operators through the driver-owner scheme and at the same time, put new taxis on the road that would suite the mega city programme of the state government.

“We went into agreement with some commercial banks for loan facilities and First Bank gave about N350 million for the purchase of 150 taxi cabs which we paid equity contribution on. The operators were registered through the Ministry of Transport and were asked to repay the loans monthly.

We charge them 12 per cent which is far lower than the 22 per cent First Bank charged us. Also, LASMI single-handedly purchased 100 taxi cabs at the cost of N270 million and they are to repay the loan over 3 years.

“The second major project was the Agric-YES programme, which is a youth empowerment scheme in agriculture in Epe, Lagos and N500m loans have been given through the Agric-YES project. There, young school leavers and graduates are trained in farming, poultry and fishing and it is affiliated to the University of Agriculture, Israel.

“Some Israeli and Nigerian agriculturist teach them and some of the best students among the first 100 that started the programme were given scholarship to Israel for further studies.

“Government did this for them to be able to produce enough food for sale and to groom young farmers. After the training, they form themselves into cooperatives and government gives them land and loans to buy the equipment that they will need.”[/b]

Alabi-Macfoy said because the state government wants to ensure that as much people benefit from these revolving loans, LASMI intends to increase the number of beneficiaries through its partnership with MFBs.

Though the state chairman of the National Association of Microfinance Bank, Mr. Olufemi Babajide, said they have received 183 applications from MFBs that want to partner with LASMI, Alabi_Macfoy said LASMI is capable of working with as much MFBs as possible, though the institute has not received any application.

“Though we have not received any application from the state executives, but government has set aside a huge amount of money for micro lending. But we would mainly deal with MFBs that concentrate on group rather than individual lending because the group pressure would force all the members not to default on payment.

“That said, our lending process is in two stages. First, applications are made here and management would review the financials of the MFBs and make recommendations which would be passed to the Board. From there, they are sent to the Investment Committee of the Board which again reviews them and recommends those we would partner with and how much would be committed based on their financials.

“The second stage is seeking the governor’s approval for the release of fund. But we would try as much as possible to first consider those operating in rural areas.”

He urged MFBs to employ the use of biometric system of identification of customers to mitigate the occurrence of bad debts.

“The major reason for the huge bad debt they face is that they rushed into microfinancing without doing thorough customer identification and this is the cause of the bad loans. Most times, they do not go to where their customers conduct their businesses to know if they are doing what they said they do.

“Another factor is the high level of poverty in the land and the lenient collateral on MFB loans which made most people to take advantage of the situation and disappeared with their money. Even their staffs are not left out as some of them disappear with customers’ money

“So, for them to overcome the issue of bad loans, they need to instill proper corporate governance by ensuring that their staffs take their supervisory roles serious. They should also avoid the temptation of going for big offices, flashy cars and the likes.

“That is why we are looking for MFBs that concentrate on group lending because the members know each other and would urge the other person to pay up to enable them apply for another loan. For instance, the Agric-YES loans are given to groups of farmers and are insured by the Agricultural Cooperative Bank, which was set up by government.

“Despite the fact that government trains and makes money available to them, they are required to register as cooperatives and the money given to them is supervised by those who train them in the farm.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/03/lasmi-to-partner-financially-capable-microfinance-banks/

naptu2: Through the LASMI cabs scheme, taxi drivers are able to lease and own brand new taxis. Governor Fashola launching the LASMI cabs scheme.

naptu2: Do you know that Lagos State has acquired farmland in Ogun State and is in discussions with Kogi and other states to acquire more farmland in those areas? Do you know why it is doing this? That's the story of the YES Agricultural Empowerment Scheme for unemployed school leavers and others.

Programmes like these are not as sexy as cable stayed bridge and Eko Atlantic City, so they don't get as much column inches in the newspapers.

GARRI (x7):
[size=14pt]Lagos acquires 50 hectares of land in Abuja, and Ogun to cultivate food[/size]

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has revealed that the state government has acquired about 50 hectares of land in Abuja and neighbouring Ogun State for cultivation of food to support its agriculture and job-creation scheme.

Fashola made this known on Wednesday while he was speaking about the state government’s agricultural scheme as he was presenting the states 2013 budget estimated at N497.277billion to the State House of assembly.

Admitting the challenge of limited land in the coastal city, the governor stated that “due to the limited amount of land the State has to cultivate, the administration is pursuing a radical alternative of acquiring land for farming outside Lagos.”

According to the Governor, “the administration has already secured 50 hectares in Abuja, and Ogun State which is four times bigger than Lagos in land size for cultivation.” He added that “other States such as Bauchi, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo and Katsina are favourably considering the State’s requests for farm lands.”

The administration is also cultivating 75 hectares of land for rice under its Rice for Jobs programme while the irrigation project to improve, yield and produce rice per hectare is progressing positively in Badagry.

Reeling out his administration’s further achievement in the agricultural sector, the governor stated that the 500 hectares of land was recently allocated for rice farming to feed the Imota Rice mill just as his administration has successfully completed the Imota Rice Mill in Ikorodu, the Erikorodo Feed Mill, the Erikorodo Chicken Processing Plant, also in Ikorodu and revitalized Ikorodu Fish Farm Estate.

The governor added that in Epe, the Agric Youth Empowerment Scheme is progressing with the training of a new batch of 200 graduates for whom the Executive Council recently approved the release of N500M that will be given to them shortly along with one hectare of land per farmer to enable them start formal production.

www.channelstv.com/home/2012/10/31/lagos-acquires-50-hectares-of-land-in-abuja-and-ogun-to-cultivate-food/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

miqos02: The Ogun State Government on Wednesday allocated 500 hectares of land to the Lagos State Government for agricultural purposes.

The government said this in a statement jointly signed by the governors of Ogun and Lagos states, Ibikunle Amosun and Babatunde Fashola, at the end of a meeting between the two states.

The meeting which lasted about one hour was held at the Government House, Oke-Igbein, Abeokuta.

The statement added that the land in Eggua, Yewa North Local Government Area would be used for agricultural development.

It also said the letter of allocation for the land was presented to Fashola during the meeting.

Amosun also handed over Certificate of Occupancy of Iju Water Works to Fashola during the meeting.

The statement reads in part, “The request for agricultural land by Lagos State Government has been granted and a letter of allocation in respect of 500 hectares in Eggua (Yewa North) was presented by Amosun to Fashola.

“The Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) in respect of Iju Water Works was also handed over to the Lagos State Governor, while re-connaissance of Adiyan Water Works land area is ongoing.”

The two governors re-affirmed their committment towards regional integration of the South-West.

src: http://www.punchng.com/news/amosun-fashola-meet-over-boundary-dispute/

Chiddysville: Whao! isn't funny that Fashola loves igbos so much that he goes about arresting Igbos (both employed and unemployed) to give a special 'skill acquisition' and 'largasses' while his yoruba brothers and sisters are joblessly shouting 'owo da' at the bus stops and construction sites. Fashola, thanks but no thanks. Don't you think your charity should start at home?

naptu2: Now the question is, do these skills acquisition centres, farms, loan schemes, etc produce successes? I'll show you a success story.

[size=14pt]Street-Kid Turned Vulcanizer Makes N5,000 Daily.[/size]

by berem(f): 12:01pm On May 29

About 13 years ago, Samuel Tanimola ran away from home in Ifo, Ogun State, at the age of 10 years. He came to Lagos and settled down in Dopemu area of the state.

Tanimola, who is now a vulcaniser, told our correspondent that he was fed up with the living condition at home.

However, things were not as easy as he had hoped. He had no friend and knew nobody in the new place he found himself, yet he had to feed.

Tanimola joined hordes of street children roaming the streets and feeding through the use of their wits until he was eventually arrested by the Environmental Task force on Special Offences in 2004.

He said, "I ran away because I was not happy at home; it was a polygamous setting and my mum was not living with us.

"Although things were tough on the street, it was better than home. I even tried to escape when the police raided Dopemu that day. They grabbed as many of us as they could lay hands on and took us to the remand home at Oregun. I was so scared that I imagined the worst."

For two years, Tanimola remained at the Oregun Juvenile Centre under close supervision without any contact with the outside world.

Then in March 2006, Tanimola was transferred to the Correctional Centre for Senior Boys, Isheri, where he stayed another three years.

He said, "The centre at Isheri was much better than the one in Oregun. We were allowed to go out and then return to the centre. But at Oregun, we could not go out. It was while I was staying at Isheri that I decided to learn a trade and become a vulcanizer. I have no interest in school."

PUNCH Metro learnt that Tanimola was reunited with his family in 2009. His father did not, however, return to the centre after his first visit until November 2010, when his son was formally empowered to become self reliant.

Now 23 years, Tanimola plies his trade at the Vehicle Inspection Office at Ojodu, a place which he secured through the efforts of a permanent secretary at the Lagos State Ministry of Youths, Sports and Social Development.

He said, "I have moved out of the centre; I now live at Akute. Business is good; there are just two of us here. On a good day, I make as much as N5,000; sometimes N3,000, and on some days, nothing at all.

"On the whole, I can take care of myself. I used to think that it was over for me but now I am happy."

The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Youths, Sports and Social Development, Dr. Enitan Badru, said, "About 10 to 20 children come into our correctional centres monthly- most of them minors, caught roaming the streets or even committing crimes. Those caught committing crimes, usually face the justice system.

"These children often run away from home or were brought to Lagos by relatives. Others, fed up with life in the village, heard of a place called Lagos and got into a bus to come here, sleeping under the bridges and motor parks.

"When these children are brought in, we try to trace their families and reunite them. When we are not able to do that, we go to the courts and secure the right to keep the child and find the best means to help the child live a fulfilled life."

He said Tanimola was an example of the fact that street children could be made to become useful citizens with love and patience.


http://mobile.punchng.com/output.php?link=http://www.punchng.com/metro/i-make-n5000-daily-street-kid-turned-vulcaniser/

naptu2: By the way, this practice is not limited to Lagos State. Abuja has also returned people to their states of origin.

[size=14pt]Lagos, Abuja accused of dumping destitutes in Kaduna[/size]

September 18, 2009 | 12:02 am

By Emeka Mamah

Kaduna -  Kaduna State Government, yesterday, accused the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos and Niger State governments of allegedly dumping destitutes in the state.

The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Maryam Laka Madami made this known while briefing newsmen on the rationale behind the decision of the state government to repatriate destitutes in the state to their states of origin.

The state government’s joint task force for the relocation of the destitutes in the state evacuated about 2,000 destitutes from the streets and transported them in several truckloads to their states of origin, Monday.

The destitutes were escorted by anti-riot policemen to Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano and Jigawa states.

Madami, however, said that the Lagos State government dumped the 65 destitutes at the Kaduna end of the Abuja-Kaduna expressway adding that some of the affected destitutes were non-natives of the state.

She further accused the FCT and the Niger State government of similarly dumping beggars in the state.

According to her, it was the action of the Lagos and Niger state governments, as well as the FCT, that forced Kaduna to send away those destitutes from its territory  as the destitutes had constituted themselves into nuisance.

dplordx:

His 6 plots of lands? Really? It was something, but stop flaunting that on our faces. Mention something else.
Your people are ingrates! You need to learn to be grateful. Lagos has created many IBO billionaires and millionaires, and the least you could do is comply with the laws of the land. BRF isnt the tribalists here, it is you people!

naptu2: [size=14pt]Background and context [/size]

Unfortunately, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice website has not been the same since it was attacked by hackers early this year. I was going to repost the environmental sanitation act.


Environmental sanitation law has always been controversial in Lagos. People always complain about the state of the environment, but they complain even more when government takes steps to remedy the situation.

Back in the 1980s people often quoted the report that stated that Lagos was the dirtiest city in the world. Foreign news stations often showed pictures of Oshodi, kids hawking in traffic (dodging cars, etc), heaps of refuse on road median, etc. The people often complain about the presence of lunatics who wander the streets aimlessly.

Government response to these problems have included:

1) Colonial governments deploying health inspectors (the infamous "Wole Wole" ) to ensure that houses, markets, etc were kept clean. The people hated these health inspectors and accused them of bribery (I remember comedy sketches which depicted health inspectors stealing meat from people's pots in the guise of ensuring that the food was suitable for consumption).

2) Military governments deploying soldiers, policemen and other officials (environmental offences task force) to chase away beggars, street traders and other offenders. It was seen as a futile effort, because the traders and beggars would return to the same spot hours later. The law was amended to include the forfeiture of goods seized during such raids and imprisonment of offenders. The task force would seize the goods and burn them. Fela Anikulapo-Kuti sang

The time around 1975 and '77, police go seize expensive goods dem go start to burn burn them. Army go go market, anything cost money go burn burn dem (2x).

Why dem like to burn the things wey dey costee money? Government fit sell to people cheape cheape. Government fit dash people wey no get money.
And the burn burn na im dey sweet dem pass (burn and bribe). Na im dey sweet them pass. Oya oh, burn burn.

(Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, "Confusion Break Bone", c1980)

The people were sympathetic towards the traders and beggars and believed that the task force was cruel and inhuman. The public felt that these people were only trying to earn a living and their presence on the streets was a result of the economic decline caused by the government. It was also felt that sentencing these people to jail would mean sending them to a training centre where they would learn how to become hardened criminals (besides, the prisons were already over crowded. How many prisons would be built to accomodate the vast army of beggars and street traders?).

3) The return to civilian rule in 1999 ushered in a wave of ammendments to the law. The year 2000 amendment created the Kick Against Indiscipline Corps (basically, the environment police) and made the public-private system the only legal means of disposing waste in Lagos. It became illegal to patronise cart pushers and residents were given bin bags for free. Several markets were also closed because the market men and women engaged in street trading and improper means of disposing refuse.

The 2003 amendment presented offenders with 3 choices, rehabilitation, repatriation or jail.

This amendment was made because the government realised that the prison system was over crowded and thus it would not make sense to keep sending people who break the environmental sanitation laws to jail.

Sending them to jail also created bad publicity for the government. Offenders would often be more hardened and a greater danger to the society when they were released than when they were sent to jail. It was therefore decided that jail term would be a last resort.

Offenders would be given a second chance at life via the rehabilitation process. They could also choose to return to their home state via the repatriation process (some realised that it's better to farm in their home state, than to sleep on the streets of Lagos). Their home state government or relatives would be informed ahead of time, so that they can take steps to rehabilitate the returnees. For example, in the documentary I watched, the Kano State Government gave returnees some money to ease the process of resettlement.

Indeed, it was discovered that gangs of criminals act as agents, ferrying people from their home states to Lagos for a fee, promising them jobs when they get to Lagos and subsequently dumping them on the streets of Lagos. These gangs are particularly active in Kano State and Niger Republic. The City of Kano used to be the great economic centre of the sahel region of Africa. People came from far and wide to work in the factories in Kano City. However, chronic electricity cuts have led to the closure of many factories. Criminal gangs promise to help these people get jobs as security guards, okada riders, etc in Lagos in exchange for a fee and dump the people on the streets of Lagos.

In contrast, the rehabilitation and repatriation process would change the lives of offenders and enable them to become respectable and independent citizens.

Further amendments to the law since 2007 (Fashola administration) have made it illegal to give alms to beggars. Citizens are expected to channel such donations to registered charities, orphanages, destitute's homes, churches, mosques and other such institutions. It also provided the option of community service for people who break the law.

It should be noted that, under the law as it was before the 2003 amendment, the people who are currently being returned, would have been sent to jail.


Finally, it's a pity that the author of the article that the OP republished did such a shoddy job. He should have interviewed the returnees and then interviewed Lagos State Government officials. This would enable the public to know whether the scheme is still being implemented the way it was conceived, or whether it has derailed (the rehabilitation process suffered a setback when the Ita-Oko centre was burnt by inmates. Please ignore the bigotry in the link https://www.nairaland.com/400138/area-boys-lagos-ibadan-action ). Rather than doing this, the author wrote a sensational piece (probably to maximise sales/views) that made it seem like the returnees were forcibly deported and that they were returned simply because of their state of origin.