₦airaland Forum

Lagosbabe1: Who are the Super-Mod and Admin?

Lagosbabe1: I agree with you but I have heard from people here that a particular Mod bans people till 2100, what is your advise for those people?

[size=14pt]Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, others' reconstruction to gulp N124bn.[/size]

2013-08-21 23:00:49

The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved N124bn for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of five major roads across the country.

One of such contracts is the reconstruction of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway Section II, Phase II, which consists of the Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway carriageway and service lanes extending from Beach Land Junction to Cele Bus Stop.

The contract has been awarded to Julius Berger (Nigeria) Plc in the sum of N15bn, with a completion period of 15 months.

Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku; Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolemenen; Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar; Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo; and the Minister of State for Works, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the FEC meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Justifying the contract award, Onolemenen said the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway was of immense economic importance to the country and the sub-region "because it is a gateway to Apapa and Tincan Island Ports and part of the Trans West African Highway (Coastal)."

He said, "Due to ageing, the road has virtually collapsed and the damaging effects of heavy axle load vehicles carrying goods to and from the ports. The drainage system has also collapsed."

According to the minister, FEC also approved the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway Section I: Lokpanta-Umuahia Tower in Abia State in the sum of N39.5bn, with a completion period of 40 months.

He said the contract for the Umuahia Tower-Aba Township Rail/Road Bridge Crossing of the same road was also awarded in the sum of N50.8bn, with a completion period of 40 months.

Onolemenen added that two roads would be rehabilitated under the Federal Roads Development Project, in conjunction with the World Bank.

The roads, according to him, include Lot C: Mokwa-Bida Road, in the sum of N10.9bn and completion period of 24 months as well as Lot D: Akure-Ilesha Road in the sum of N7.3bn, with a completion period of 21 months.

Nebo said the council also approved the contract for the design, manufacture and supply of six 40MVA 132/33KV mobile substations complete with spare parts and accessories in the sum of N1.8bn with delivery period of eight months.

He said the sum was made up of $10m for the purchase and N247m for port clearing, transportation and the Value Added Tax.

The minister said the mobile substations that would be used to ensure continuity of electricity supply during major works at existing substations would create 138 direct jobs at the substations and 1,380 indirect jobs as a result of multiplier effect on the economy.

He said seven out of the 10 power plants and 150 out of the 220 substations being built across the country were ready for commissioning.

Nebo also ruled out the extension of deadline for the payment of 75 percent by preferred bidders of the nation's privatised generating and distribution companies, which expired on Wednesday.

He said information at his disposal showed that the successful bidders were responding well.

Minister of Transport, Umar, said the official commencement of the transportation of containers by rail from Lagos to Kaduna and Kano would be done on Friday in Lagos.

Obiagelli: True but with maturity you know what to do to avoid a ban. I get attacked on this forum everyday but i don't loose my cool. You should see how people debate on other forums around the world without insults.

madejibo: It is the same damn road the article didn't state phase one or two let's not put words into these people's mouth. It is very clear

Obiagelli: When i see light to power my A/C maybe the fresh air go enter

Yazmin: What does it take to be on front page...
Have changed my network and phones , still no show.
Abi who have I wronged ...? All dis village peeps sef..*thinking*!

ujoinme: Ibaka seaport will be good for nigeria reason being that it will be designed to recieve big ships due to its depth such that ships that cannot berth at the shallow ports that dot the nigerian shoreline will be able to berth there.

this seaport will make other surrounding seaport profitable as goods that come in there will be broken up and smaller ships will transport them to all port in nigeria.

the need for a deep seaport should not be overemphasized in nigeria and hence every nigerian should be cheering for these ports despite the fact that other states are also pursuing the same goal as we have lekki, olokola, badagry and the ibaka seaport on the pipeline. Am cheering for all of them to be built as that will address the infrastructural deficit in the country.

as per the profitability of these ports that should be left for the free market to decide and not politics. i don't understand why some Nigerians will be against any infrastructure that will benefit the country simply because its not sited at their region.

The availability of viable seaport is likned directly to the development of any country and as nigerians we should be thankful that we are blessed with these natural shorlines.

melojames: The Lagos State Government will soon allocate 2,624 housing units to beneficiaries under its Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme.

Many of the houses have been completed and inaugurated by Governor Babatunde Fashola, while others are at different stages of completion, according to the Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Bosun Jeje.

Jeje, who disclosed this at the Housing ministry’s yearly ministerial press briefing in Ikeja on Friday, said the implementing agencies were his ministry, the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation, New Town Development Authority and Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

According to the commissioner, there are 264 flats in 22 blocks at the Igbogbo 2B scheme built by the Housing ministry; 144 units at Shogunro 1 and 96 units at Shogunro 2, as well as 36 units at Shitta, all developed by LSDPC.

He said NTDA delivered 492 units in Igando; 844 units in Omole 2; 48 units in Magodo 2; 96 units in Lekki 1; and 84 units in Lekki 2.

Others by NTDA are 540 special units in Sangotedo; 120 units in Ilupeju and 60 units in Mushin; while the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development delivered 560 units in Odo-Onasa, Agbowa.

Jeje said the delay in allocating the houses to interested members of the public was to ensure that the government made available more units, adding that it would be wise to have a sufficient number on ground before the scheme would fully take off.

According to him, government wants to avoid a situation where demand will be greater than supply and mess up the scheme.

“But government is not unmindful of the desire by our people to benefit from the scheme. Any moment from now, we will let the public know the procedure that they will take,” he said.

The commissioner also called on owners of properties demolished in Ijora Badia who were in possession of legitimate documents to come forward for possible discussion on compensation.

Responding to the allegation of “selective settlement” of affected land owners in Ijora, Jeje said so far, only the Ojora family had been able to produce the title document to the land and urged those in possession of the required documents to forward them to the ministry for discussion, instead of blackmailing the government.

“I am saying it here categorically that so far, only the Ojora family has been able to produce any document. So, I am appealing to those who are in possession of land documents to come forward for discussion,” he said.

He also reiterated the government’s decision to give owners of illegal structures demolished in the state the offer of first refusal on its housing schemes in their areas in their areas whenever such were completed.

SOURCE: http://www.punchng.com/business/homes-property/lagos-homs-2624-houses-ready-for-allocation/

naptu2: Now I'm going to give you links, stories, pictures, etc (if the anti-spam bot doesn't ban me), but before that I'm going to give you some background.

I believe that Fashola came to complete what Jakande started. Many of Fashola's policies are not really new, but he is returning Lagos to what it was in the 1950s and also completing or improving what Jakande started in the 1980s (I also have to admit that some of the projects were started during Tinubu's administration). (I'm smiling right now because I remember that my family were staunchly opposed to Jakande's education policies).

Lagos HOMS: Jakande (well, Lagos State Development and Property Corporation [LSDPC) built the famous Jakande low cost houses and offered them for sale to Lagosians. The key to the success of this scheme was mortgages. You pay a small initial deposit and pay the rest over the next twenty or thirty years. This made it affordable to the average Lagosian. However, there was a flaw in that model and Fashola has thought of a way to address that flaw. Multi-millionaires bought a lot of the flats and resold them at higher rates. I know one such man who still has several flats in several low cost estates in Lagos.

With Lagos HOMS you must swear an affidavit that you do not own any other house in Lagos and you are not allowed to let out the flat (that is, you must be the one occupying the flat) for the 20 or so years it will take you to pay off the mortgage.

There are also several other programmes and policies that I will post here tonight (if sleep doesn't take me away), including the skills acquisition centres, the Lagos Micro-Finance Institution, Kaiyero and other markets, Isale-Gangan urban renewal (I'll even show you pics of Isale-Gangan in the 1950s and 90s), the Destitute's Home, etc.

[size=14pt]Fashola, Sanders inspect Igborosun farm.[/size]

By Mansur Oladunjoye

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State during the week accompanied by the former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Robin Sanders inspected the Agric -Youth Empowerment Scheme (Agric YES) Songhai model farm in Igborosun, Badagry where he declared that the State government intends to make it the industrial park for agriculture.

The Governor who spoke in an interview after an extensive inspection of the 250-Hectares farm and its facilities was optimistic that “when it becomes an industrial park for agriculture, people will come there to learn and take specimen and species of the best bred cattle, fish and so on for redistribution towards owning their own farms.

“So really, this is the turning point as it nears completion. So, it is not just agriculture but agriculture and knowledge and you would see for example that there won’t be a need to weed again because they are using technology to eliminate weeds. It saves a lot of time and brings the farmers very quickly to production”, he stated.

He also explained that the farm is using deep irrigation and ensuring an integration of everything in such a way that the livestock depends on the vegetable and the vegetable also depends on the livestock, bringing about a lot of green activity. Governor Fashola said at the end of the chain which would be in a few months time, one would observe some form of industrialization including packaging and processing with some of the outputs like biscuits, Shea-butter, palm oil, orange, pineapple juice and soap already on display at the farm.

He explained that what the government is trying to do in the farm is to embrace technology which is essentially about doing a lot more with less and about ensuring that nothing wastes. The Governor said it is also about sustainability as the farm is modeled after the Songhai model which is famous
in Cotonou, Benin Republic and will be engaging in the rearing of snails, fish, poultry chicken and cultivation of banana, yam, vegetable and every type of crop.

Governor Fashola who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Co-operatives, Prince Gbolahan Lawal and other members of the Executive Council, was conducted round the farm by the Director, Shoghai Farms, Reverend Father Godfrey Nzamujo.

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.

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/

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/

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.

Eko Ile: https://i56.tinypic.com/30tl4sx.jpg

https://i52.tinypic.com/35k4u10.jpg

https://i51.tinypic.com/15fj2vp.jpg

https://i56.tinypic.com/2ah8ro6.jpg

https://i53.tinypic.com/a9nx21.jpg

https://i55.tinypic.com/23kq3y9.jpg


https://i52.tinypic.com/2digi8x.jpg




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.

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.

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).

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: From the mid 1990s onwards, Obalende had become an eyesore. Commercial buses park anywhere they feel like parking, obstructing traffic and causing confusion. CD and cassette sellers blast loud music from giant loudspeakers. Companies and individuals pour water on the street to the extent that there's dirty and stinking water everywhere, even during the dry season. Hawkers block the side of the street, obstructing pedestrians (there were no pedestrian walkways) and they even encroach on the street, obstructing the flow of traffic. There were potholes on the streets that were probably partly caused by the awful dirty water that was on the road even during the dry season. Area boys often molested people and dispossessed them of their belongings in the early mornings and late at night.

Well, the Lagos State Government moved into the area about a year ago and started changing things. A new bus park was built for danfo buses and bus drivers that park on the street, outside the bus park are made to pay a hefty fine. The old LSTC terminus has been renovated and is now a BRT terminus. The traders at Obalende saw what happened at Oshodi and appealed to the governor that he shouldn't arrest them because they are now ready to comply with environmental laws (there's a video of that somewhere on Youtube). The government has not stopped them from carrying out their business, but they've been told that they must stay beyond the sidewalk. Anyone that strays onto the sidewalk or the road, will have his goods confiscated and he would be arrested. The roads are being reconstructed, there's now a raised pedestrian walkway/sidewalk and the drainages are also being reconstructed. The roundabout is being beautified (a garden has been planted there and gardens are springing up in different parts of the bus stop). Men of the task force (mobile police, kai and civil defence) are permanently stationed at the roundabout, so the place is safer. Huge lights have been set up at the new bus park, the BRT terminus and other parts of Obalende. The street lights now work.

And then there's the MacGregor Canal! I'm going to show you pics of that canal from the 1950s, 2008, 2009 and 2013.

naptu2: McGregor Canal.

The McGregor Canal was dug by governor William McGregor. McGregor was a medical doctor who improved sanitary conditions in Lagos. The canal divided the island into Lagos Island and Ikoyi Island.

It was substantially filled in when the 3rd Mainland Bridge/Ring Road was being constructed in the 1970s

McGregor Canal runs from Lagos Lagoon, past Dolphin Estate, through Obalende, under Awolowo Road and empties into Five Cowrie Creek.

In the 1990s MacGregor Canal was turned into an eyesore. Mechanics set up their workshops right beside the canal and they often dumped tyres and used engine oil directly into the canal. Many Lagosians used the canal as a waste dump, throwing piles and piles of garbage directly into the canal. This was one of the causes of flooding in Obalende and South West Ikoyi. Someone even built a church right across the canal (near the Dolphin end of the canal).

In 2008 the government moved in to try and clear the canal. The chuurch was demolished (some said that this was done because Fashola is a muslim who hates christians. I wonder whether there's anything in christianity that encourages people to disobey laws, obstruct canals, cause flooding and inconvenience your neighbour). In 2010 the government erecting a wire mesh fence around the canal, to keep out unwanted people (mechanics, etc) and prevent people from dumping garbage in the canal. The canal was dredged and the tyres, car parts and other garbage that had blocked the canal were removed. Now the government is planting a garden beside the canal.

McGregor Canal in the 1950s
www.nairaland.com/attachments/708145_MacGregor20Canal201950_jpg7f95567a855c289ff9bcc6fa6593ba4a

McGregor Canal in 2008
www.nairaland.com/attachments/708146_MacGregor20Canal20March202008_jpgd7131c39f7187f94ce42ea6a8580bd46

McGregor Canal in 2010
www.nairaland.com/attachments/708147_MacGregor20Canal202010_jpg81e28cde5ecaaee271e8f7a5719f04b8

McGregor Canal in 2013
[img]http://img1.nairaland.com/attachments/1116829_IMG01673-20130520-1301_jpga6cd37cfcf26e5845f27503e624d2768[/img]

[img]http://img1.nairaland.com/attachments/1116830_IMG01674-20130520-1301_jpgc1a17cc3ec5471edcbf3699629a21a45[/img]

[img]http://img1.nairaland.com/attachments/1116831_IMG01675-20130520-1301_jpg029a757f06faba730137deab3326e3f3[/img]

[img]http://img1.nairaland.com/attachments/1125671_IMG01676-20130526-1643_jpg92cf376dabdad728825d282d760eb64e[/img]

[img]http://img1.nairaland.com/attachments/1125672_IMG01677-20130526-1643_jpg36b1b50230b6bdf3a6a2ec8528c7fbc5[/img]

[img]http://img1.nairaland.com/attachments/1125673_IMG01678-20130526-1644_jpgf52b2a46797696c3b283fc2d01338c97[/img]

naptu2: [size=14pt]FERRY SERVICES.[/size]


https://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/76485_488716111173484_829783507_n.jpg
Apapa Wharf with people going to work - the ferry between Apapa and Lagos Island.
Photo by Harry Knoop 1959-1960 from the Nigerian Nostalgia Project 1960-1980.


As I said at the beginning, an important factor in providing transport facilities in Lagos state has always been the aquatic nature of the state. In the 1970s when Lagos was still the federal capital, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) operated ferry services to Apapa, CMS, Ebute-Ero and other locations. Later, the state government under the Lateef Jakande administration also came up with its ferry service when it purchased its ferry boats “Baba Kekere” and “Ita Faji”. The Ferry Services Corporation was established to run the service. The effective and efficient service run by the corporation has still continued to be a reference point in the state well over 25 years after.
In the 1980s the Babangida administration adopted the integrated mass transit policy and consequently, the National Inland Waterways Authority ran ferry services in Lagos, using jetties at Osborne Road Ikoyi, Ebute-Ero, Maroko, CMS, Apapa, etc.

https://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/602007_10151503286832790_1488549744_n.jpg
National Inland Waterway ferry beside a Nimasa patrol boat.

Private operators have always run ferry services in Lagos and they range from individuals using giant canoes to organizations like the defunct Texas Connection Ferries and Tarzan Boats, which use large boats (known as water buses) and even run car ferry services. An amusing dimension to ferry services in Lagos State, is the introduction of “water molues” by some ferry operators.

https://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/47071_10151503286007790_1498900087_n.jpg
Water Molue
The State Ferry Service Corporation is no more in operation as the National Inland Waterways Authority Act (Repeal) Law 2008 created the Lagos State Waterways Authority, which is already functional with a supervisory board inaugurated by Governor Fashola to monitor the private operators and ensure they operate within the provisions of the Inland Waterways Law.

Amongst the concessionaires on the ferry system are Fikki Express and Tarzan. Tarzan also runs the popular car ferry between Ikoyi (Queens Drive), Victoria Island (Maroko) and Lekki (Admiralty Road), while Fikki Express also provides tourist and leisure boats services. Both Tarzan and Fikki also run restaurant/bar services. The concessionaires procure the ferries and run the services, while the government constructs the jetties and dredges the designated routes.

Tarzan car ferry
https://www.businessdayonline.com/NG/images/stories/tarzan.jpg

https://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/602127_10151541467232790_1264963234_n.jpg

https://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/67037_10151541469727790_98943040_n.jpg

Fikki Express

https://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/17122_10151503284707790_781452638_n.jpg


In order to sustain this development as well as attract Lagosians to water transportation, the state government has been constructing jetties at Ikorodu, Osborne and Badore, in addition to dredging ferry routes. These include Ikorodu-Badore via Oreta, Baiyeku-Ijede, Ikorodu-Osborne, Badore-Lekki, Oke Afa-Mile 2 and Tolu/Ajegunle-Port Novo Creeks-Liverpool. Also, repairs are being carried out on Epeme and Iya Afin jetties. When all the designated corridors for the ferry service become fully operational, this will certainly reduce reliance on roads as sole means of transportation.

https://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/16448_10151503288182790_754903165_n.jpg
Old Agboyi Ketu jetty

[img]http://img1.nairaland.com/attachments/1017486_new_agboyi-ketu_jetty_jpgf4c9bae10bc492b0253d143607df2083[/img]
New Agboyi Ketu jetty

Today, from one operation route in 2007, Lagos is running water transport on 12 routes under the supervision of Lagos State Waterways Authority, while passenger traffic has grown to over one million passengers per month. The routes are Ikorodu-Marina/CMS; Marina-Mile 2; Ikorodu-Addax/Falomo; Ikorodu-Ebute Ero; Marina-Ijegun Egba-Ebute-Ojo; Mile 2-Marina/CMS-Mekwen-Falomo; Badore-Ijede; Badore-Five Cowries; Marina-Oworonshonki; Ebute Ojo-Ijegun Egba; Oworonshonki-Five Cowries; and Baiyeku-Langbasa. Other routes include Ijede-Badore, Badore-Admiralty-Osborne-Marina, Ikorodu-Marina, Ijegun Egbe around Okokomaiko that will burst out at Mile 2 to Marina, Oke-Afa in Isolo to Festac to Mile 2 to Marina, Ajegunle to Marina and Iddo to Marina. This has also created additional new jobs with multiplier effects on families and the society.

https://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/521417_10151503281527790_723820749_n.jpg

https://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/188341_10151503289437790_717914499_n.jpg

https://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/479856_10151503289847790_558122236_n.jpg

In January I finally took the trip that I promised Jason123 that I would take. I went to visit my “second family” in Ikorodu and deliberately decided to take the ferry from Baiyeku (Ikorodu) to Oke-Ira (Lekki/Ajah). We paid the fare, got our ticket and waited in the waiting room. When the boat came, we raced to grab a small life jacket each (Laswa laws make them mandatory) and dashed to the jetty. The boat is basically a giant metallic canoe with an out board engine. The journey lasted just a few minutes and it was quite pleasant.

The concessionaires have pulled their resources together to form Eko Water Buses Limited. They have ordered for 60 ferries, each with a 200 passenger capacity, from the Aluminium Boats Company of Brisbane, Australia.

https://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/179640_10151508215462790_545523871_n.jpg

https://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/528125_10151503282382790_1792196373_n.jpg

www.nairaland.com/attachments/686778_543677_409661829053608_146629982023462_1588984_159072412_n_jpgf9ddfd2d5931c7b87129d3aa83bed293

With the ongoing redevelopment of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway incorporating BRT, light rail, and other modern road infrastructure, the introduction of privately-operated modern taxis service, in addition to the now famous BRT alternative, along with ongoing efforts to promote water transportation, one can indeed say the Lagos State government is working hard to transform public transportation in the state.

https://i.imgur.com/Z0jBH.jpg

https://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/581281_10151503283032790_1353270915_n.jpg

naptu2: [size=14pt]LRT[/size]

https://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/558091_10151497326857790_521813538_n.jpg
Marina before the rail project

https://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/156461_10151497327142790_1355870416_n.jpg
Artist impression of Marina after the rail project is completed (BRT, LRT, ferry and regular bus services).

The Lagos Rail Transit (LRT) system will be similar to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in the sense that the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) will build and maintain the tracks, while the concessionaire will procure and maintain the trains.

Already, the concessionaire on the blue line has procured H5 and H6 subway cars from the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), a public transit operator based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, (as their transit operator is acquring its new articulated six-car fixed Toronto Rocket subway cars to replace the older cars). The cars have been refurbshed and converted to surface rail cars. Lagos State Government will build a dedicated independent power plant to provide electricity to the system.

https://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/45326_10151497325762790_1907729765_n.jpg
Badagry Expressway before the rail project

https://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/525505_10151497326447790_1764849567_n.jpg
Artist impression of Badagry Expressway after the rail project is completed (10 lanes +BRT & LRT)


The Blue Line.

The Lagos-Badagry Expressway is part of the abandoned Trans-African Highway project. However, it is prone to massive traffic jams. This has stunted development along that corridor since people don't want to live and work in that area because of the traffic problems.

Therefore, the Lagos State Government is expanding the road. It will be a 10 lane expressway with BRT and LRT routes. Julius Berger is expanding the road (so far they've expanded the road between Orile and Mile 2 and expanded the Mile 2 Bridge), while Chinese Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC) is laying the tracks. It's largely going to be an elevated rail system (CCECC has built part oof the bridge along the Orile axis and they are also building elevated stations from Orile too Mile 2).

Blue line stations will include:

1) Marina

2) Ebutte Ero

3) Iddo

4) National Theatre

5) Iganmu

6) Alaba

7) Mile 2

8 ) Festac

9) Alakija (Satellite Town)

10) Trade Fair Complex

11) Volkswagen

12) Lasu Gate

13) Okokomaiko.

https://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/72972_10151497327437790_918420117_n.jpg
Blue Line station map


Red Line stations include:

1) Marina

2) Ebutte Ero

3) Iddo

4) Ebutte Metta

5) Yaba

6) Jibowu

7) Mushin

8 ) Oshodi

9) Shogunle

10) Murtala Mohammed Airport (an arm of the line will branch off to the airport)

11) Ikeja

12) Agege

13) Iju

14) Agbado

https://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/559814_10151497327827790_1421951956_n.jpg
Red Line station map


Lamata has proposed 7 lines. They are:

1) Blue line: Okokomaiko-Marina
2) Red Line: Agbado-MMIA-Marina
3) Green Line: Lekki Airport-Marina
4) Yellow Line: Otta-Iddo
5) Purple Line: Redeemed Camp-Ojo
6) Brown Line: Mile 12 - Marina
7) Orange Line: Redeemed Camp-Marina

https://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/65543_10151497328192790_1289977432_n.jpg
LRT overall map

https://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/72954_10151497400322790_1296843133_n.jpg


Construction

https://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/551349_10151497328632790_1468739391_n.jpg
Construction of railway bridge


https://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/574564_10151497329287790_1279293319_n.jpg
Mile 2 LRT station (under construction)


https://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/66952_10151497329857790_1714708474_n.jpg



https://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/8705_10151497330477790_806757066_n.jpg
Rail bridge under construction.


https://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/551305_10151497331162790_794360828_n.jpg
Mile 2 Station (under construction)


https://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/184262_10151497332947790_2059402097_n.jpg



https://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/64415_10151497333092790_75364930_n.jpg



https://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/538332_10151497333387790_2115880799_n.jpg

https://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/21714_10151497333817790_416338988_n.jpg

https://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/17121_10151497334807790_1712509704_n.jpg

[img]http://img1.nairaland.com/attachments/1231969_602476_604187642935839_648177820_n_jpgf5608a1fab6251246d20de6d22435fa1[/img]
The National Theatre Terminus which will serve as interchange for buses and Parks and Ride for the Light Rail users during Governor Fashola’s inspection tour to the Station at Orile-Iganmu, Lagos, on Thursday, August 1, 2013.

[img]http://img1.nairaland.com/attachments/1231982_1009916_604190396268897_2066438980_n_jpg353c293de0c8d314b4da56fb4db694f5[/img]

The National Theatre Terminus which will serve as interchange for buses and Parks and Ride for the Light Rail users at Orile Iganmu, Lagos, on Thursday, August 1, 2013. INSET: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (middle), Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa (right), Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dr Dayo Mobereola (2nd right) and the Project Manager, Blueline Lagos Light Rail Mass Transit, Mr. Li Bing (2nd left).

Trains and carriages

https://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/65936_10151497331507790_915581026_n.jpg

https://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/71765_10151497331892790_815451853_n.jpg

https://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/598340_10151497332097790_1288371129_n.jpg

https://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/557965_10151497332472790_253225981_n.jpg


Track and dummy trains

https://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/60714_10151497334222790_1672881377_n.jpg

https://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/525052_10151497334542790_1511183785_n.jpg

https://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/179658_10151497335217790_1121297957_n.jpg

http://naijachronicles./2013/02/09/transportation-in-lagos-lrteko-rail/

naptu2: [size=14pt]BRT[/size]

https://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/539320_10151497229787790_1994354896_n.jpg
Obanikoro BRT bus stop

The Lagos Bus Rapid Transit System, also known as Lagos BRT, is a bus rapid transit system in Lagos State, Nigeria, which is owned by the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA).

The first phase of the Lagos BRT was opened on March 24, 2008 with 100 buses, although it was initially slated for opening in November 2007 (the initiative to build the system was initiated by the government of the previous governor, Bola Tinubu). It went from Mile 12 through Ikorodu Road and Funsho Williams Avenue up to CMS. At the time the BRT Corridor was 22 km in length.


One of the benefits of the BRT system is the physically segregated lanes.

The BRT system in Lagos is run on 3 models; (1) segregated lanes (2) priority lanes (3) regular bus service.

1) Segregated lanes: A concrete divider is erected on the road to section off one lane from the others. The sectioned off lane is reserved for BRT buses. This ensures that the BRT buses are not caught up in traffic jams.

Segregated lane
https://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/33644_479399807789_121022_n.jpg



2) Priority lanes: A yellow line is drawn on the road to demarcate the BRT lane. At peak periods (rush hour, etc) this lane is reserved for BRT buses. At other times any vehicle can use this lane.


Priority lane
https://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/68766_491169377789_5068095_n.jpg

3) Regular bus service: There is no segregated or priority BRT lane.


The Lagos State Government maintains the BRT lanes, while concessionaires procure and maintain the buses.

Concessionaires on the BRT scheme include LAGBUS Asset Management Company (which is owned by the Lagos State Government), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Cooperative, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), etc.


The buses are painted either blue or red. Some buses are air-conditioned, while others have fans in them. Some buses also have flat screens in them and passengers are treated to movies while they commute to their destinations.

Passengers purchase bus tickets from ticketers stationed at the various bus stops. Payment can also be made with the passenger's debit card, via POS terminals placed in the buses.

Concessionaires also make extra income via advertisements pasted on the sides of the buses. Paid adverts are also played on the Flat screen TVs.

New routes have been opened including Yaba to CMS, Obalende to Ikorodu, Obalende to Ajah, Oshodi to CMS, Oshodi to Obalende, Broad Street to Egbeda, etc.

Some of the routes have segregated lanes (eg Yaba to CMS), while some use priority lanes (eg Obalende to Oshodi).

On Ikorodu Road, the introduction of the BRT system has led to restrictions on which vehicle can ply which lane. Danfo and molue buses are restricted to the service lanes, private vehicles can ply the express and the service lanes, while only BRT buses are allowed to ply the BRT lane.

In recent years, citizens have complained about the state of the BRT buses. Some of the buses are very dirty and look like they have not been washed in months. The glue from advertisements pasted on the bus also glues dirt to the bus and sometimes peels off the paint.

https://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/17588_10151497232977790_742001683_n.jpg

https://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/5990_10151497233677790_435692409_n.jpg