WITH CLEANER LAGOS INITIATIVE, LAGOSIANS WILL SPEND LESS ON TREATING DISEASES - IYA LOJA GENERAL
...SAY'S PROGRAM IN BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE

CLEANER LAGOS INITIATIVE TIMELY, NECESSARY -- IYA LOJA GENERAL

Iya Loja General of Nigeria, Chief Folashade Tinubu-Ojo on Wednesday urged market men and women and the people to support the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) of the Lagos State Government, saying that the program is in the best interest of all Lagosians.

Speaking with reporters at the commissioning of network of roads, link bridge and health centre in Alimosho area of the State, the market leader said there was no question about the good intention of government with the initiative, revealing that when fully implemented, the people would spend less on treating all kinds of diseases.

The CLI is an initiative of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode's administration aimed at ensuring that all communities in the State are clean and neat. Tinubu-Ojo, who described the initiative as timely and necessary, noted that the Governor deserved to be commended for the huge plan to massively address the issue of cleanliness of the environment.

She said: "The initiative is very good and it is a welcome development. There is no question about the fact that we need to keep our environment very clean even for our own health. "An adage says cleanliness is next to godliness and health is wealth. When our environment is clean, everything will be positively affected even our food intake. Everything will be fine and we spend less on treatment of all kinds of diseases.

"So, I want to commend Governor Ambode for coming up with this bold and highly timely initiative to ensure our environment is clean."The market leader also counseled the people, especially market men and women to always keep their environment clean and abide by all rules and regulations concerning the environment.

"I have always been saying it to our people that our markets should always be kept clean and trading on the road is prohibited and against the law and even the rules of market association. "So, I will like to urge our market men and women to support and cooperate with government in its bid to achieve a very clean environment because this new initiative is definitely for our own good," Tinubu-Ojo said.

Besides, the market leader commended Governor Ambode for the network of roads commissioned in the Alimosho axis including Aboru-Abesan Link Bridge, saying the economic impact of the projects would most definitely be huge and positive for the people.
"This is a very good project. It is a very good network of roads and a very landmark achievements by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. It's brilliant and good and will ease traffic congestion around this area," she said.

Grand corollaries of Ambode, Fasolas reconciliation
By David Fadimu

Last Saturday (yesterday), the Minister for Power, Works & Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) paid a landmark courtesy visit to his successor and Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

Following the contentious debate between the two leaders in the preceding week, it was most gratifying to see them pulling together and putting their differences of opinion aside in the best overall interest of Lagos State and Nigeria.

As the sitting Governor of Lagos State, Ambode has left no one in doubt about his intension and deep commitment to transform Lagos truly into a state of aquatic splendor. Nothing offers a state a golden opportunity to showcase its economic prosperity, political stability, serenity and grandeur more than its gateways. The biggest gateway not only into Lagos but Nigeria is the iconic but now derelict Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Even more disheartening is the road from the airport to Apapa-Osodi Expressway. To call it an eyesore is probably the vilest understatement of a lifetime. A stretch of dilapidated walls, miserable structures, a retinue of rickety buses, taxis, towing vehicles and petrol tankers littered the road in a manner that would make any conscionable Nigerian to convulse with trepidation.

This unfathomable scenario did not just happen yesterday or last year, it has been like that for decades. A former President of the country was once quoted as saying during his campaign visit to Lagos State that he wept when he saw the state of the road. Providence smiled at the President; he won his election, spent four more years and conveniently forgot to fix the same road which had made him to shed crocodile tears when he was scavenging for votes.

As Governor of Lagos State, one of the projects Fashola would have loved to execute was the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road. A beautiful design for the reconstruction, rehabilitation and beautification of the road was done but unfortunately, that initiative was sacrificed on the altar of politics. The Federal Government, then under a different political party, must have felt that if they collaborated with the Lagos Government and allowed the state government to fix the road, which undoubtedly fell under federal jurisdiction, all the glory would go to Lagos State and the party in power there. Sadly in Nigeria, it is not about the comfort of the people first. It is all about the ego of those in power.

Ambode must have felt that fixing the airport road now would be an easy ride because not only did his party control governments at both the state and federal level, his predecessor is the incumbent Minister of Works, Power and Housing. An aide of Governor Ambode had even said assuredly to me during a conversation that the Lagos State Government would perform the ground-breaking to fix the road latest by this March. This was not to be.

The realization that the grand effort to fix the all-important social and economic road might be jinxed again might have compelled Ambode to express his frustration in the court of public opinion.

It is therefore refreshing to see that both Ambode and Fashola are on the same page in addressing all the issues, which created friction between both leaders in the past. Beyond what they said in the public glare, instructively, what they did not say carried the bigger weight. Both came across as genuine in their intentions. Their countenances, body language and open display of affection came across as real and sincere. Ambode was matured and effusive in heaping tons of praises on his predecessors, dating it back to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and dovetailing it down to Fashola whom he credited for his phenomenal achievements in his 8 years in office.

In unifying, they have displayed exemplary leadership. By focusing on their commonalities -- their energetic and passionate will to make revolutionary impact in Lagos.

Governor Ambodes laser focus on his target of Lagos becoming the third largest economy in Africa by 2020 has been the driving force for finding common ground with his predecessor. He said, We are all strongly committed to increasing value in Lagos and maximizing the States enormous potential for growth to better the lives of all residents in Lagos. He went on to say What binds us all is our passion for Lagos and the people and we stand together on that. Ultimately, it is about a shared goal that we have all worked tirelessly to achieve for our people and we will get it done.

One of the Federal Controllers for Works who accompanied Fashola on the visit mentioned the airport road as one of the projects the Federal Ministry of Works is planning to execute. This is where both leaders have to do more work. The Federal Government is planning to do the road while the Lagos State Government has already set aside the fund to do the road in view of its importance. If the Federal Government already has the funds to fix the road, they should commence the process immediately in order to bring to an end the misery of long suffering Nigerians and international visitors plying that road once and for all.

If on the other hand, the Federal Government does not have the resources as yet, they should allow the Lagos State Government to fix the road immediately. Posterity, and indeed all well meaning Lagosians numbering over 22 million people, will NOT forgive anyone who has had a hand in frustrating that project.


David Fadimu, a media practitioner contributed this piece from Lagos State, Nigeria.

A #CleanerLagos begins with us! The goal of the initiative is to rid Lagos of all its haphazardness and create more job opportunities. The initiative has made provisions for thousands of community sanitation workers with 27,500 jobs to be created with numerous insurance benefits including life, health, accident and injury cover. The salaries of those who will get direct employment to work as sanitation workers is going to be tax free, they will also enjoy pension scheme.
You can become a CSW (community Sanitation Worker). Follow this link to apply. http://www.cleanerlagos.org/career-opportunities/

27,500 NEW JOBS TO BE CREATED THROUGH THE CLEANER LAGOS INITIATIVE

The primary driver of the initiative that has been undertaken is not cosmetic but to save lives and create more jobs. Gov Ambode has assured all PSP operators that this initiative will lead to expansion of their business and creation of more jobs. The initiative therefore will facilitate employment for thousands of people. The Lagos State Government has made it clear that the Cleaner Lagos Initiative has been put in place to keep the state 24/7, effectively manage waste disposal system and eliminate environmental challenge. All licensed waste management operators will service all commercial areas and ensure effective cleanliness. #CleanerLagos #CLI

YOUR BUSINESSES ARE WELL PROTECTED, AMBODE ASSURES PSP OPERATORS
Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode has assured the Private Sector Participants (PSP) that the new Cleaner Lagos initiative will not send them out of jobs, rather it would cause an expansion of their business and lead to the creation of more jobs. The sole aim of the initiative is to ensure that Lagos is clean and healthy for all its residents and will in this light, definitely facilitate employment for thousands of people. #CleanerLagos #CLI

RESIDENTS ONLY NEED TO SEEK PERMIT WHEN SINKING BOREHOLES FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSE

The Commissioner for information and strategy, Steve Ayorinde explained that the new environment reform law is aimed at charting a new direction to make a mega city like Lagos clean. “With the Cleaner Lagos Initiative, the government reassures all and sundry of its determination to clean the environment in our state and we are already taking the necessary steps in that direction,” he said. He also went further to clear misconception about seeking permit before sinking boreholes. He stated that License is required only by landlords that intend to construct a borehole or a well for commercial or industrial use only. Indviduals are free to sink their boreholes in their homes provided ir is not close to a septic tank or soak away.
The Lagos State Government has assured Lagosians that this Law was done in the overall interest of all Lagosians to ensure cleaner environment and public health safety in the State. This law will definitely make life better for Lagosians. #CleanerLagos #CLI #LagosState

COMMUNITY LEADERS, LAWMAKER, OTHERS BACK AMBODE ON CLEANER LAGOS INITIATIVE

Adaranijo, who was the Chairman of Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA), said with the initiative, Governor Ambode has further demonstrated his genuine intention to transform the State and turn it into a mega city in the true sense of the word.

 

“Everybody must key into this initiative because it is a good one aimed at ensuring that we have a clean environment. I want to particularly urge the market men and women, those at the Local Government, the Private Sector Participants (PSP) operators and all the people to support government to achieve the purpose of coming up with this very laudable policy.

 

“It is better for us to key into it and ensure that we support government because at the end of the day, the policy is for our greater good,” the lawmaker said.

 

Also speaking, Vice Baba Oja of Igando-Ikotun LCDA, Mr Abolaji Ambaliu (Alias Saudi) said the initiative was necessary to comprehensively address the myriad of issues associated with the environment.  

 

Ambaliu, who is also the Baba Oja of Irepodun Market, said it was now visible to everyone that the environment was becoming too dirty, and government should not fold its arms, hence the laudable initiative.

COMMUNITY LEADERS, LAWMAKER, OTHERS BACK AMBODE ON CLEANER LAGOS INITIATIVE


MARKET LEADER, COMMUNITY LEADERS, LAWMAKER ENDORSE AMBODE'S CLEANER LAGOS INITIATIVE
 

The Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) of the Lagos State Government was on Thursday endorsed by a cross section of market leaders, community leaders and a federal lawmaker who  lauded  the initiative. They described it as a revolutionary move which would go a long way in ensuring proper waste management in accordance with international best practice in the State.

 

Speaking at separate interviews with our correspondent, the community leaders commended the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for coming up with the initiative, saying that it now behooves the residents of the State to embrace the initiative and support government in its quest to address the environmental challenges confronting the State frontally.  

 

Reacting to the development, a member of the House of Representatives representing Agege Federal Constituency, Taofeek Adaranjo said there was no question at all about the good intention of government with the initiative, adding that it would help to checkmate the health challenges associated with filthy environment.

Lagos Wants Quuens College Shut Down Indefinitely, As Ministry Confirms Water Is Polluted

The Lagos State Government has advised that the Queen’s College, Yaba, be shut down indefinitely for a proper treatment of the water system in the school.

The state Ministry of Health said results from samples taken from water sources in the school showed that the water was “polluted,” adding that the school’s food handlers were also culpable.

This is just as some parents have threatened to take legal action against the school, saying someone must be held responsible for the two deaths in the college.

Punch Metro had reported that no fewer than 50 boarding pupils of the school were admitted in the school’s sickbay after eating spaghetti and drinking water in the refectory.

Parents and pupils told a Punch correspondent that two pupils of the school –Vivian Osuiniyi and Bithia Itulua–who were in Junior Secondary School two and three respectively, died as a result of the epidemic.

The school’s principal, Dr Lami Amodu, was later transferred to another school in Edo State.

The school had been shut for the past two weeks to enable a health team to conduct adequate investigation into the incident.

It was learnt that the pupils were to resume on Sunday, March 19, when the Lagos State Government issued a statement recommending an indefinite closure of the school.

The  state Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, who addressed the press on Thursday, stated that health records from the school’s sickbay indicated that the date of illness was January 16, 2017, adding that a total of 1,222 pupils presented themselves at the school’s clinic on account of abdominal pain, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea.

He noted that 16 pupils were admitted in various hospitals, adding that nine had been discharged, two dead, while one was still on admission at the Intensive Care Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, and three in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba.

The statement from the ministry read, “According to the commissioner, the recommendation (for suspension of resumption) is necessary to ensure that all the sources of contaminants in the school, which had been causing the death of students, are properly handled.

“Idris said the source of the problem is the contaminated water. Water samples from six sources on the school premises were collected and analysed at the Drug Quality Control Laboratory of the Lagos State Ministry of Health in the Lagos  State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

“Other  water samples from 10 sources were also collected and analysed at the Microbiology Department of LUTH, Idi-Araba. The results from the two laboratories showed high bacterial content in the water samples from the kitchen behind the dining hall and Queen’s Delight, the school’s water factory. The bacteria range from Coliforms, Escherichia Coli, Salmonella, Klebsiella ozoana and Aeromonas hydrophila.

“Specimens collected from 40 kitchen workers revealed that cysts of Entamoeba histolytica were isolated in the stool of 23 food handlers; Salmonella Paratyphi, the causative agent of Typhoid Fever, was also isolated from three food handlers.

“All these together imply a common source outbreak, showing repeated or continuous infection from exposure to the infectious agent. Findings from the investigations were consistent with Enteric Fever. The infection was most likely spread through contaminated water sources and infection by food handlers.”

Some parents called for a sanction of the school’s management for failing to prevent the outbreak.

A parent, whose daughter fell ill during the midterm break, said parents might take legal action against the school.

He said he had spent about N70,000 on the treatment of his daughter, who is in Senior Secondary School two.

He said, “My daughter took ill two days after she came back from the school; she had acute typhoid. I have spent about N70,000 on her.

“The government cannot afford to play the ostrich. If they don’t secure the children’s source of water #CleanerLagos

New environmental law will guarantee Lagosians' right to cleaner, safer environment - Desmond Majekodunmi .

Majekodunmi, who lauded Governor Ambode’s vision of ensuring that every person living in Lagos has a right to clean, safe and healthy environments, said the new law is a consolidation of what started few years ago which is aimed at putting Lagos where it ought to be and make Lagosians to live in a normal, healthy environment.

The new environmental law makes it an offence for any person or group of persons to dump any toxic waste capable of causing harm in the state while all emissions from vehicles, plants and equipment including generating plants in residential, commercial and industrial areas within the State must now meet air emission standard

The new law further stipulates that no manufacturing of chemicals, lubricants, petroleum products, cement (except for use in construction), gases or quarry takes place in a residential premise. It posits that any manufacturers of such items will procure an insurance policy from an approved insurance company.

In the new law, every owner or occupier of a facility who uses, stores, keeps and maintains an underground storage tanks and surface storage tanks shall register such tanks with the enforcing authority while a facility monitoring and inspection exercise will be carried out on all sites with surface or underground tanks periodically to determine the integrity of the facility involved. Soil test of the immediate environment will also be carried out to validate the integrity of the soil

The Lagos State Government said violators of the laws will face stiff penalties which include heavy fines which ranges from N250,000 to N5,000,000 and/or imprisonment.

Also, under the new law, it is an offence to engage in street trading along the major highways and streets of Lagos and sell in an unapproved market in Lagos while every owner, tenant and occupier of any shop, kiosks, space or stall in any market within the State shall on regular basis ensure the cleanliness of his or her space

It is also mandatory for every commercial vehicle in the State to carry a litter bin for the use of passengers in order to prevent passengers from throwng waste onto the streets from commercial vehicle. The law stipulates that if a commercial driver fails to provide the litter bin, the driver will be penalized alongside the passenger or the occupier of the vehicle who commits the offenc


The new law has also empowered the Lagos State government to demolish any structures on sewage systems without approval. It also made it mandatory for anyone who wants to sink borehole or any structure connected with the supply of water to obtain permit from the office of drainage services in order to ensure compliance with standards.

The new environmental law also sets up the Lagos State Environmental Trust Fund will be independently managed by an SEC (Stock Exchange Commission) regulated Board of Trustee with the aim of promoting the development and improvement of the state's environmental performance and sustainability. This will create a system that can attract funds from persons, organizations and authorities required to tackle environmental issues as well as fund and promote the creation of job opportunities for youths in waste management and waste recycling among others.

ALL DRAINAGE SYSTEM WITHOUT APPROVAL WILL BE DEMOLISHED.

The Cleaner Lagos initiative is here to stay! It's main goal is to rid Lagos of all its haphazardness. It is now being made mandatory that all structures on sewage systems without approval from the office of the drainage services will be domolished. From top to bottom, this new law holds everyone accountable, no one is left out and there will be consequences of non-compliance.

LAGOS STATE RESIDENTS TO OBTAIN PERMITS BEFORE SINKING BOREHOLES


New environmental policies have been put in place by the Lagos state government. It is now mandatory for all residents to obtain permits before sinking boreholes. This simply means that anyone who has a house, shop, office, school etc. in Lagos and wants to have any structure connected with water supply must obtain permit from the office of drainage services, failure to abide by this new rule attracts a fine ranging from N250,000 to N5Million. Lagos state is doing everything possible to make sure its environment is clean and livable for all its inhabitants. #CleanerLagosInitiative #CleanerLagos