₦airaland Forum

Lagos Public Works Corporation Fixing Navy Town Road

The Navy town road (in Oriade LCDA ) in Lagos which has been in state of disrepair for a long time is now getting desired attention by the Lagos Public Works Corporation. We hope the road will stand the coming rainy season as the area is always flooded whenever it rains, due to blocked drainages in that area.
Parts of Old Ojo road were also fixed very late last year eliminating the notorious bad portion at alakija area down to oluti where they stopped, however there are still so many portions on that road that needs fixing

http://www.watchinglagos.com/2013/01/lpwc-fixing-navy-town-road.html

This is lengthy, please take your time to read through

In the heat of the Occupy Nigeria protests along with the NLC strike, we were being summoned to Abuja for a meeting. Equally unnerving is the announcement that the Airspace would be temporarily opened to facilitate the meeting.

When a Viable Union meets a Recalcitrant Government, something’s got to give. Until the January 2012 watershed, Nigerians had become used to the Oshiomole-esque kind of strike, and the pattern had become predictable. The Government announces an increment, NLC demands a ‘status quo or nothing’ and all of a sudden, pulls a volte face and goes into negotiations.

The Obasanjo government had, between 1999-2007, hiked the pump price successively from N20 to N 30 (June 1, 2000), amidst mass action, came down to N 25, and eventually bent further to N 22, on June 13 the same year. On January 1, 2002, Obasanjo increased the petrol pump price from N 22 to N 26 , and on June 23, 2003, just after he was sworn-in for his second term as president, Obasanjo again increased the fuel price to N34 and then to N40.Obasanjo’s administration actually hiked the price of fuel seven times with the last one on May 27, 2007, two days to his exit from office, when he raised it from N65 to N70.

The Yar Adua administration was burdened with the unpleasant task of negotiating an ‘inherited’ decision with the Labour Union, and reversed the N70 pump price to N65. Intense negotiations however continued on the deregulation of the downstream sector.

The Oil and Gas Unions, PENGASSAN and NUPENG gave a conditional support for deregulation; that the ‘government must provide the necessary succour and palliative measures to assuage the impact of import-driven deregulation within the set timeframe’

PENGASSAN also provided a further condition, that the ‘Original PIB, as drafted by the Rilwanu Lukman Oil and Gas Sector Implementation Committee (OGIC) be implemented’. The Petroleum Industry Bill, as originally drafted, was to eventually end Government interference in the Oil and Gas Sector, and eventually provide a framework for the growth of the Oil Industry and end the inherent Corruption spawned from a Subsidized Market that was import driven.

The Goodluck Jonathan administration, amidst a façade of intense consultation, would spin a notorious surprise on January 1, 2012 with a 117% increment from N65 to N141.

For the first time in the history of pump price hike, protests sprang from a Rag-Tag team of Youths while Labour was still sprawling from lethargy. The Occupy Nigeria logo and T-Shirts sprang up and spates of peaceful demonstrations commenced.

Eventually, the NLC/TUC would announce an ‘Indefinite Strike Action’ commencing January 9, 2012.

Consequently, PENGASSAN issued the directive below to members:

January 8, 2012

To All Branches, Zones and CWC members

RE: STRIKE DIRECTIVE

This is to inform all members of the CWC, Zonal & Branch Executive Committee that the indefinite strike action scheduled from Monday January 9, 2012 in protest against Government approach to Subsidy Removal will go on as directed.

The strike Monitoring Teams at all levels shall ensure that essential services are maintained while all our members are strongly advised to stay at home.

The strike monitoring teams shall go round to assess compliance and give reports through the Team Leaders.

The National Secretariat shall give all information and directive on further development.

Aluta Continua!! Victoria Asserta !!

At this time, I had joined the ‘Rag-Tag Team’. Setting out to Ojota in the wee hours of January 9th 2012 did not come without apprehensions. Parents who saw the horrors of the June 12 agitations did not want their children involved in any struggle. Moreover, Nigerians had begun to see protests as ‘NLC declared Public Holidays’ at the end of each Strike, pump prices never get reverted to status quo ante. I went, anyway, and before my eyes, I saw the gathering grow to a record ground-breaking watershed that sent strong signals to the Jonathan administration. Not so many Nigerians would realise the level of fear the Ojota Rallies generated in the heart of government, and even Labour Leaders.

For the next five days, I’d set out to Ojota, and by evening, hold meetings and plot strategies for the next day.

NLC’s decision to go into negotiations with the Government in spite of the earlier stance of ‘Revert first, we discuss later’ sent the first distress signal for the heavy blow that would be dealt the Occupy Nigeria movement.

The Save Nigeria Group (SNG) switched the strategy and methodology of protests in Nigeria. Until January 9th, Nigerian protests had been limited to Tyre burnings, and long marches. No one had ever thought gathering in one spot could make such an impact. SNG was however, not alone. Loose coalitions emerged all over, with Ikoyi spinning a great surprise, Corporate Moguls, Celebrities, Medical Directors, amongst others joined the throng. No one would forget Ali Baba’s Truck in a hurry.

For me, the high-point was seeing Muhammed Fawehinmi, the Son of the late human-rights activist/legal luminary, Chief Gani Fawehinmi coming for the Rally in his Wheelchair.

There however, remained a grey-area/loop-hole the Government would cash into: The Convener of the Save Nigeria Group was the running mate of General Buhari in the 2011 elections. This normally would mean nothing in a sane society where freedom of speech/association is sacrosanct. Unfortunately, in a Winner-Takes-All society like ours, IT IS A CRIME TO BE IN THE OPPOSITION! The ballot is meant to be the bullet that kills your Freedom of Speech!

It is worthy of note, however, that when the Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi became silent shortly after running for Presidency under the flag of his National Conscience Party, the general populace appealed to him not to be quiet. But then, that’s another musing for another day.

Against this backdrop, I found the Abuja summons unnerving and initially resolved not to go. What if the meeting turned out to be a ‘Settlement Meeting’?

My good friend, Gbenga Sesan as well as others in the ‘Rag-Tag team’ asked me a question: ‘If you do not go, how would you know what happened?’ At that point, I made up my mind to go, and ensure I cover my Transportation expenses myself. That would be another obstacle, considering the Strike and the draining out of most ATM machines at that time. Gbenga facilitated my ticket fare to Abuja and I got some personal funds on standby for my return.

By Saturday, January 14th 2012, I had met with other PENGASSAN members and we headed for Abuja. We had arrived at the Hotel venue before it all became clear: All Labour Leaders from NLC/TUC had been summoned to Abuja! As a matter of fact, in a ‘We know where you live’ manner, we were lodged in the same hotel wing. This was coming on the heels of the directive issued by PENGASSAN to commence a Systematic Shutdown from midnight of that same Saturday the 14th January, 2012.

The Hotel was a hub of events, from Reporters nodding off on chairs clutching their Panasonic to Union leaders split into several camps, from those sympathetic to GEJ to those who had been part of the Ojota and Abuja rallies and wanted nothing but a total showdown. Apparently fed up with the NLC/TUC leadership insisting on the fact that they were accountable to various NEC (National Executive Council) members, they had been told to summon us all to Abuja. I would later discover upon checking out of the Hotel that all Hotel Bills (Lodging and Feeding) were on NLC/TUC account; that was huge, considering the number of Unions and Leaders.

A lot of Nigerians might not know this, but NUPENG and PENGASSAN were/are still licking the wounds sustained in the 1994 June 12 actualization struggle. Pascal Bafyau of the NLC had betrayed NUPENG/PENGASSAN when the Oil Workers’ Union went ahead with the Shutdown. Pascal Bafyau (NLC) walked free while Frank Kokori (NUPENG) and Milton Dabibi (PENGASSAN) went to jail and remained in Prison Custody without trial till June 16th 1998, a week after the death of General Abacha.

The likes of Asari Dokubo had been making personal calls to threaten the Leadership of the Oil Workers’ Union.

In spite of all these, PENGASSAN NEC meeting held that evening in the Hotel. Tribal/Political sentiments were rife at the onset, ‘nothing must happen to Jonathan’, ‘the day you kill a madman, na im you go know say e get family’ ‘we should not be used by these Politicians, is it Bakare that did not even win a Local government?’ In essence, those who went to negotiate directly with Government had claimed that the Lagos struggle had been ‘hijacked by Politicians’ .Comrade Peter Esele himself had said ‘We’ve lost Lagos (to Politicians), we’d have lost Abuja too, but we were there to make sure the Politicians did not hijack it’.

The PENGASSAN Chairman presided over the PENGASSAN meeting. Along the line, we were addressed by one of the 1994 PENGASSAN detainees, who reminded us that Posterity will judge whatever decision we made that night. He reminded us that although neither himself, Kokori nor others who went to jail in the heat of the struggle had anything physical to show for their struggle, they had a clear conscience about the decision they made. He, however, advised should we opt for the systematic shutdown; we should make sure we had all returned to the safety of our bases before a total shutdown.

Eventually, a unanimous decision was made to go ahead with the Systematic shutdown. Truth is, a total shutdown would invariably throw the Nation into darkness, among other things. For the Old Oil Wells, it would take a sizeable time span to get the Wells back to Optimum Production. In essence, a shutdown is an economic Coup d’etat; that was why Kokori and Dabibi back then were held for ‘treason’.

We sang our Solidarity Song, unsure what would befall us all with the decision, but with the calm assurance that Posterity would judge us for good….while the Communiqué was being edited for print, Comrade Peter Esele came to chat with us. He told us how scared the Government had become and how a Minister was even begging that the Union accepts even a marginal increase to N67 so that the President won’t be seen as weak.

Unknown to us all, the NLC Chairman had gone on Air to pull the greatest Coup on PENGASSAN. He had announced on our behalf that we were not shutting down. Funny how you are in a meeting and made a decision, only to hear a contrary thing on the Social Media who had access to TV that was to cover our Meeting!

The Ghost of 1994 had come calling; we left the Hotel in haste the following morning, my family and friends worrying about my safety. By Sunday, we were back at our bases without a clue how it all changed. I was still in a haze when Omar and Esele came on air. I’d have sworn I saw Omar dictating to Esele what they would tell Nigerians before Esele lowered the Mic from his mouth. Soldiers had been deployed to crush Ojota, and Labour was announcing to Nigerians that from a vantage point of victory, she preferred to Kiss Defeat (Kiss the Feet). That was a Mystery I could not understand, even as an eye witness.

I never recovered…I hope I do someday.

http://www.watchinglagos.com/2013/01/how-nlc-and-tuc-betrayed-occupynigeria.html

The board of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has authorized a $15.7 million direct loan to the state government of Lagos, Nigeria, to underwrite the purchase of 32 American fire-fighting vehicles manufactured by W.S. Darley & Co. (Darley) of Itasca, Ill.The loan, which is in line with the Administration's "Doing Business in Africa Campaign," will support approximately 100 U.S. jobs, according to bank estimates derived from Departments of Commerce and Labor data and methodology. Moreover, 65 percent of the financing is expected to support American small businesses."This transaction reflects our continued commitment to increasing exports to sub-Saharan Africa while supporting American small-business jobs," said Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. "Additionally, the financing, which targets one American Bank Gives $15.7 Million Loan To Lagos State Government for 32 American Fire-Fighting Trucks our nine key markets, ensures the government of Lagos can respond efficiently and effectively to emergency situations."The State of Lagos, which is home to Nigeria's commercial center and largest city of the same name, plans to upgrade its fleet of fire-fighting vehicles. The governor of Lagos has declared that the expansion and re-equipping of the fire service is an urgent matter of state security.Darley is a family-owned small business founded in 1908. The company, which has exported its products to foreign markets since the 1940s, designs and manufactures firefighting trucks, equipment, pumping, and safety gear."Darley Company is excited to have the opportunity to work with the Lagos Nigeria Fire Service on this important contract," said Peter Darley, vice president of Darley. "This project was only possible because our customer was able to secure financing with the assistance of Ex-Im. As a small business, this type of support meant we were able to compete with other companies outside of the U.S. for this business. Darley, as well as some of our key partner suppliers, will need to hire new employees so we can fulfill this order."Darley's Africa Representative, Trinity International Inc. of Potomac, Md., arranged the transaction.In FY 2012, Ex-Im Bank authorized more than $1.5 billion to support U.S. exports to sub-Saharan Africa.

http://www.watchinglagos.com/2013/01/american-bank-gives-157-million-loan-to.html

Security and environmental officials, yesterday, quarantined a ship laden with e-waste which they said is toxic and posed major threat to humans. The ship, M.V Marevia brought in two containers considered very dangerous and sent port officials into a panic mode.

e-Waste consists of old and outdated electronic gadgets and materials such as refrigerators, containing chlorofluro carbons (CFC) or green house gases. According to Mr Dike Ejiogu, a computer Engineer at the Ikeja Computer Village: “Although some of these gadgets were manufactured for human good, the expiration of the chemicals used in manufacturing them converts them to toxins which ironically becomes injurious to human health particularly when the gases are inhaled.

“Besides, they are also environmentally unfriendly as they pollute the air and reduce the oxygen which is the main ingredient of the air we breathe for life” he added.

The vessel which is currently anchored at the Tin-can Island Container Terminal (TICT), was quarantined by officials of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) with other port agencies keeping vigil on it.

Reliable sources said the vessel which berthed on January 5 originated from Tilbury in England and that the importers were based at Alaba International Market.

Customs confirm report

Confirming this to Vanguard, Public Relations Officer of Tin-Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Chris Osunkwo, said that NESREA had written to the Command informing them that they have intelligence report that a vessel which is erroneously called M.V. Mavia, was coming into the country with two container loads of e-waste.

Osunkwo said that the NESREA officials in the letter said that the vessel should not be allowed to discharge, adding that the inspection would be done onboard the vessel before it is sent back to it’s country of origin. The numbers of the containers are ECMU 9894590 and ECMU 9870858.

Also contacted, Assistant General Manager in charge of Public Affairs of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ileya Musa, told Vanguard that the management of Tin-Can Island Port was aware of the development, adding that the vessel has since been isolated while the relevant agencies were on ground awaiting the inspection of the vessel.

On where the ship came from, Musa said he did not know but promised to get back to our reporter. He never did at press time.

Efforts to get to the area where the vessel was anchored proved abortive but a source at the TICT told Vanguard that the crew of the vessel had told them that the containers were in transit, adding that the final destination was the United Kingdom.

However, a senior Customs officer who spoke with Vanguard on condition of anonymity , explained that the claim might just be a way of avoiding detention by officials of the Nigerian government.

It would be recalled that NESREA had on several occasions detained some vessels that had brought in e-waste into the country.

Some vessels detained before now were MV Maersk Nashville and M.V. Gumel.
Head of NESREA at the port, Mrs. Miranda Amachree, told Vanguard when M.V Gumel was detained that they got intelligence report from their counterparts in Antwerp, Belgium, that the vessel was bringing used fridges, television sets, compressor pots and batteries.

Amachree explained that the report from Antwerp was a result of the agreement entered into by Nigeria and European countries to do away with CFC, which were brought in by the vessel.



http://www.watchinglagos.com/2013/01/shipload-of-toxic-waste-at-lagos-port.html

Sam xiu lee: Ermmm why all the headache about watching lagos now?they said that they want to expose or praise public officials in directly in charge of various project in the state you guys are fuming about it,I understand your fear but I think we should give them a benefit of doubt,I don't even know the name of my local government chairman,I don't know how much they receive monthly,I don't know their budget,I don't know how many staffs is on their payroll,I was surprise to see the good work being done by the honorable rep of mushin local govt constituency 2,on ilupeju community paper,the good work the man is doing has to be praised to encourage him,there is nothing wrong in highlighting the good work of this people,and where ever they have shortcomings let's point it out.so please you guys should give them a chance.I love brf die even has a lere boy my self we are proud of him[b],but we need to know what the commissioners,lg chairmen,senators,and house of rep members are doing[/b].

Correct!!! Are there ongoing projects in your area or achievements by government you will to let us know, kindly mail pictures to us. Can be taken with you phone camera we don't mind. And if there areas that need government attention too, kindly let us know, also in pictures as pictures speak louder. Mail us at watchinglagos@gmail.com or tweet at us @watchinglagos and we will get your pictures posted. Thanks for your understanding.

Èko ò ni bàjẹ́

Gbawe: @OP

You want to help Lagos? Then start a campaign for it to gain special status alongside whatever 'watching' duty you have now ascribed to yourself. You cannot be blind to how development agencies worldwide ( like the UN) are more honest, forthright and supportive, where Lagos is concerned, than the Nigerian federal government.

Anyway, your blog is down again. Makes one wonder whether you are serious about running a blog or if you just have a mission annexed to Nairaland. You are conveniently here discussing but your blog is erratic and failing to provide a platform for discussion such as you enjoy here. While you seem to want to be based here, when your own blog is not working, you should remember Nairaland is a glorified blog also.

www.watchinglagos.com has never been down, it will only be down if google is down, reason why we hosted on blogger. Like I said earlier, we are not particularly watching Fashola or ACN. For example, the rot in Festac and other Federal estates can't be Fashola or ACN's fault, instead they will be given credit for fixing roads in those areas, especially Festac which we have seen. We will help Lagos by praising the works being done and draw attention to neglected areas by Federal, State and Local governments. I hope you understand my explanation Sir.

FreeGlobe: we must rally around and support this great project. Fashola is a fraudster. He needs to be watched. He was recently caught trying to take credit for a mechanic workshop belonging to cosharis, changing the name tactfully, we must watch Tinubu before he sells the whole of Lagos to himself. I endorse this project whole heartedly if its aimed at exposing the fraudulent elements holding Lagos state to ransom

I disagree with the bolded. We are watching the whole of Lagos, Federal, State and Local. We are NOT Anti-Fashola or Anti-ACN

naptu2: However, I have one reservation/concern (although, strictly speaking it's not about the rail project per se).

The government needs to inform people who live and work in the area whether the Badagry Expressway will be tolled or not.

I'm not against tolling, but I don't want the project to be bogged down with the same kind of problems that we witnessed on the Lekki Expressway and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge projects (I.e court cases and protest). The government should do an adequate public enlightenment and sensitisation campaign and seek the views of residents.

A part of the road will be tolled, the expressway. However, the service lane will not be tolled. This is from what I see around Alafia bus stop area of the already expanded portion carried out by Julius Berger.

[quote author=Rhino.5dm]Look what the fool wrote here. I can dug out where Beaf made similar statements more than 10 times to avoid asking questions about what the silver back gorilla occupying Aso Rock is doing.



This quote above shrew your ugly mask and exposed you as the PDP paid mongrel you are. Quit trying hard. Go and come up with another user id like "Sincere Lagosian"[/quote]stop being abusive, you're obviously angry, for the right reason but at the wrong person. I won't explain anymore, watch out for my future threads (there's 1 on the homepage already).
Maybe you'll have the courage to tender an apology when the time comes.

Èko ò ni bàjẹ́
Good night

[quote author=Rhino.5dm]^
Discuss with who? You must think people visiting here are some jobless low lifers like you. As long as I can still drag air through my nose, you will never achieve you mission here.

Whatever you have to say, say it here.[/quote]I have said all that needs to be said but you still do not believe the motive behind. I requested for private convo so I can reveal my true identity but since you've turned it down know this fact, this project was borne out of the need to sensitise and demand better governance at all levels. We started this on the first year anniversary of occupy Nigeria.

I think I have said more than enough

[quote author=Rhino.5dm]Don't tell me you actually fell for this second grade scam? These mongrels are all out and probably won't rest. What will happen if the fool starts feeding you with the content mixed from wadata house? i.e. PDP secretariat?[/quote]you're still not getting me, I understand the pdp guys have created so much distrust already. Can we discuss via email?

emiye: Why not watchingnigeria?

because everyone is watching nigeria already and netlecting the states and local governments. Kindly read my previous explanations

gbadexy: The post sounds reasonable enough.
I don't see any cause to attack the poster rather we should support the concept.
I understand that the concept may be hijacked by mischief makers but then so can it be used by those in support of brf administration to showcase his achievements.
I think this concept is a double edged sword but it would keep the government on its toes.
Those accusing the poster can contribute by posting federal roads that are dilapidated so that they federal government would be exposed and brf's work would be made easier while regular concerned citizens can show the lapses of the state government to keep them on their toes.
I particularly like this concept because it would expose those local governments that aint doing nothing.
I think other states should emulate this project and we just may have started a revolution to force our leaders to act well.
Anybody that feels any particular tier of government is being unfairly maligned should post pictures showing the good works of such government.
I believe that at least a considerable amount of the members here are learned, only someone with inferiority complex would be scared and looking for hidden traps or threat in an open idea. We should be confident to partake in issues and give opponents fire for fire.

God bless you, you can join us to make this a reality. If you're in Lagos you can follow on twitter @watchinglagos, tweet us your picture(s) or email us at
watchinglagos@gmail.com.
Together we can demand accountable governance

TouchDown: Watchinglagos seems 'sincere' enough....

not like sincere9igerian though

grafikii: Is this how to fix roads, it's like putting lipstick on cake

that's why we are asking for the kind of work Julius Berger did on a portion of the road that included drainage. Patching won't work, trailers plying that route will damage it in no time

Here is Ilasa area of the road begging for serious attention, FG take note

Aftermath Of Fashola's Letter, FERMA Begins 'Patching' Apapa Oshodi Exp


After reports went round that Lagos state governor wrote President Jonathan over the Apapa - Oshodii expressway, men of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency were seen fixing a portion of the road along mile 2. Below is a picture taken from inside a moving bus.
Most part of the road remain in a deplorable state and patching won't help, instead rebuilding just like they done from Apapa to Sanya will work Magic.

http://www.watchinglagos.com/2013/01/aftermath-of-fasholas-letter-ferma.html

Train bridge

Lagos is setting the pace

we are watching lagos and not bringing down fashola. Lagos includes the federal, state and local governments. It includes the people of lagos, it includes the okada riders who ply restricted routes, it includes those who deliberately dump in drainages, it includes federal roads that have been left to rot etc. Gbawe and Rhino, pheesayor understands us, at least with his posts above, I want you all to understand too

It was a year ago that the cracks in the country were temporarily put aside in a united protest against the government. For once, Christians and Muslims across tribal lines stood as one against the administration’s 2012 New Year increase in the price of petrol.

Unarguably, one of its most infamous actions, the Goodluck Jonathan administration had on New Year day, 2012 announced the increase in petrol prices from N65 per litre to N141 per litre. The increase, the administration claimed, was in line with the deregulation policy that had for long been mouthed by several administrations since the Ibrahim Babangida regime in the 80′s.

It was an irony. Many iron fisted regimes before it, including the Sani Abacha junta, had shied away from implementing full deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector.

The Jonathan administration maybe out of sheer lack of political or management counsel, or maybe as an act of bravado, decided to tread where many angels had in the past dreaded.

The result was met with near universal disapproval.

It was especially painful for many Nigerians who had travelled prior to the Christmas holidays as they found themselves trapped where they travelled for holidays as a result of the more than 100percent increase in transport fares.

It was one notable action that many Nigerians saw as an act of bad faith from an administration that they had in the past supported.

Remarkably, one of the first groups to mobilise Nigerians against the increase was the Pastor Tunde Bakare, led Save Nigeria Group, SNG. Remarkably, the same group had just a year or so earlier championed the enthronement of Dr. Jonathan as Acting President in the face of the intrigues played by the Aso Rock cabal in the dying days of the Umaru Yar‘Adua administration.

A day after the increase, Nigerians inspired by the SNG started gathering at the Gani Fawehinmi Park at Ojota to denounce the increase. Their action was partly motivated by the gatherings in Tahir Square , Cairo , Egypt that led to the fall of the Hosni Mubarak regime.
Remarkably, the same protest was also at the same time replicated in some major towns across the country, notably in Kano, Abuja and Illorin.

In Lagos participants at the gatherings cut across social and economic classes who joined hands to denounce the increase.

Celebrities were not left out. Among those who thronged the Lagos gatherings were Banky W, Funmi Iyanda, Seun Kuti, Raskimono, 9ice Dede Mabiaku among several others.

Madam Ganiyatu Fawehinmi, widow of the late Fawehinmi carrying on with the social crusades of her late husband told the gathering at Ojota. The prices of everything will increase – transport, housing, school fees, food, etc. The common man will not be able to survive.
Leading Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC Vice-President, Comrade Issa Aremu in seeming echo of the frustration of many former supporters of the president said:

“Jonathan has shown that he cannot be trusted. He said he was engaging in dialogue and all of a sudden, he increased the price!”.

With civil society groups leading the charge, Nigerians anxiously waited for organised labour to take the lead and by January 5, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC gave a joint demand that the increase be reversed.

The nation was heading towards the precipice.

The two arms of the National Assembly were also in revolt. The House of Representatives in an unprecedented action sat on Sunday January 8 and passed a motion urging the executive to rescind the increase and at the same time urged Organised Labour to sheath its sword.

The presidency defied the House resolution and also the ultimatum from labour.

Given the political tide that swept away regimes in North Africa just before that time, it was not surprising that friends and foes of the administration in Nigeria took interest in the protest that came to be termed as Occupy Nigeria.

The centre of the protest in Lagos was the Gani Fawehinmi Park in the Ojota area of the metropolis.

In Kano protesters defied pleas by Governor Rabiu Kwankwanso not to join the protests as they converged on the Silver Square vowing not to leave the square until the increase was reversed.

The demonstrators also repeatedly denounced top government personalities with the president as the major hate figure and they repeatedly demanded his resignation.

As Muslims sat down to pray instead of going to the mosque, Christians formed a chain around them to protect them from the security forces in an action that put the protests beyond any religious colouration.

Following the intervention of anti-riot policemen who invaded the square to uproot them, the protesters in Kano relocated to Sabuwar Kofa where they continued the demonstrations against the fuel price hike.

Protests were, however, almost non existent in most of the South-South and South-East geopolitical zones. In the South-East the view of many opinion leaders was that petrol had for long been selling for the new price announced by government and so it was for them no big deal.
Two weeks after the protests and with the country on a meltdown, the presidency after marathon negotiations with organised labour, announced a concession that saw the price reduced to N97 per litre. Labour agreed to call off the strike alas to the disappointment of many Nigerians who indeed wanted the strike to continue. Many who did not see the justification for the increase at all wanted the price restored to the original price of N65 or less.

The arguments for increase were seriously punctured by revelations at that time of wastages, and the question about benchmarking local production with international production. Especially worrisome was the administration’s inability to answer the question as to the cost of production for petrol made in Nigeria .

Also riveting is the administration’s failure to answer the question on how the subsidy on imported fuel skyrocketed to trillions.
Though later day revelations have helped to reveal the fraud inherent in the subsidy regime, a definitive explanation has yet to be given.
So, a year after and after billions of naira of lost productivity and 16 lives lost through the Occupy Nigeria protests, the question as to the benefit remains unanswered.

An administration sympathiser, Mr. Joe Ambakaderimo national coordinator of the South-South Elements Progressive Union, SSEPU who has in the past been defensive of the Jonathan administration, however, faulted the government’s action, describing as regrettable that the subsidy fraudsters are yet to be put in jail.

Asked if the Occupy Nigeria protests were successful, he said:
“Yes, the protest brought out the endemic corruption in the oil sector which the government have not been able to tackle over the years and it is still yet to be tackled. Inspite of the mind boggling revelations unearthed by investigative and probe reports those indicted are walking tall on our streets. Many Nigerians can now appreciate the level of corruption that has taken root in this country even if govt has deliberately refused to prosecute the so called subsidy thieves.

Yinka Odumakin, one of the leaders of the SNG concurs, albeit partially. He said:
I think the protests partially achieved its objectives in the sense that we know that the pact with labour to back down to N65 per litre was to move it back to N141 in April last year and that they could not increase it again shows that the protest created a fear in the minds of government and they didn’t know how the people would react it.”

That is a fact that Mr. Osita Okechukwu, the Secretary General of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP agrees with. According to him the protests would have taught President Jonathan the lesson of a social contract between him and Nigerians.
“the protest more than any other event reminded President Jonathan that there is a social contract between the leader and the led and most importantly that this is democracy not dictatorship,” Okechukwu said.

He asserted further that the protest also caged the administration from initiating other anti-people programmes. He, however, regrets that the administration did not do more to win approval for itself through good works.

“Without the protest we could have witnessed other arbitrary petroleum tax increase or electricity tarrif increase from a government preoccupied with taxation without service, a government which erroneously hangs on a nebulous economic concept that government has no business in business.”

Continuing, he said: “A patriotic government could have by now been constructing two or three refineries with the unprecedented oil revenue.”

Odumakin on his part despite the regrets counts the gains of the protest to include the exposure of corruption in high places.

“Don’t forget that it was that protest that gave rise to the Farouk Lawan Committee which exposed the fleece in the oil industry and also the Ribadu Committee that was set up by the government.”

“But the regret is that because the struggle was not taken to the logical conclusion the corrupt elite still retain power and they have been able to shield all the subsidy thieves and as you can see today most of them are still walking free.”

“They continue to hold the country to ransom and what they cannot get from us at the pump price they are getting from government. Don’t forget that few days to the end of last year that the presidency asked for N161 billion for subsidy.

“So the fact that corruption continues unabated in the country is a result of the fact that the struggle was not taken to its logical conclusion.

“But we believe that a template has been laid and that template would be useful for the fire next time.

Asked when the next fire is coming, he said:
I cannot be talking of date now, but I know that if the country continues the way it is that there is no way that Nigerians will not,we cannot continue this way and people will not say that enough is enough.

After the protest who is occupying Nigeria now, he was asked? [size=16pt]Corruption,he replied.
[/size]


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/01/one-year-after-fuel-subsidy-protests-who-is-occupying-nigeria-now/

[quote author=Rhino.5dm]Please I should read what? That some sad PDP paid ediots and settlers are populating internet with [size=16pt]lies to bring down BRF? [/size]

Some of the fools even come up with names like "sincere fool", thinking that would make their intention stealthily.Or do you think average member of this section are those 22 million ediots that voted for GEJ and not PDP?. If you like write all sort of balderdash as you want or dedicate more internet site to these lies, we the advocates of truth won't move a muscle for your nonsense.

Why don't you ediots start with Uduaghan the day light thief? or start with east-west road that is killing people on daily basis to expose the silver back gorilla occupying aso rock? Arrant nonsense!!![/quote]We are not going to bring down BRF, look at all I've posted, this might even swing in favour of Fashola, a golden fish has no hiding place. Fashola has worked, some LG chairmen are not working, how is that Fashola'a fault? The FG has dilapidated structures and estates in Lagos, how is that bringing Fashola down?
Whichever part of Lagos we highlight, we state which arm of government is responsible and we are focusing on Lagos because that is where we are based, others in other states can do the same.

Once again I restate: We are not here to bring down Fashola, read with an open mind and you'll understand. Don't let sincere9igerian laugh at you because by now you should have know if he's the one or one of the 40 laptop crew behind this.

koruji: So why not "Watching the States, Ranting Effectively"

would have been an appropriate caption but all states can't be watched at once that's why this was stated in the article.

Those in other states can also start something similar, watching their respective states or even LGA. Together we can demand responsible and accountable governance at various levels.

[quote author=Rhino.5dm]Another Lagos thread? funny, how these settlers keep crying more than the bereaved. smh![/quote]Please read through the article

NOTE: [size=16pt]This is not to run down the LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT but to monitor developments in Lagos generally (including local governments) and call attention of government to neglected areas,[/size] tackling the FG alone will make states lazy and unconcerned. Your comments and suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks

[size=14pt]NOTE: This is not to run down the LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT but to monitor developments in Lagos generally (including local governments) and call attention of government to neglected areas, tackling the FG alone will make states lazy and unconcerned. Your comments and suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks[/size]

It is past festive season and the holidays are over, work has resumed for some and those who travelled are gradually returning back. On social media, the ranting continues, about how government continues to take us for granted. We sit with our phones and PC and come online to complain about the government, some are even tired and have resigned to fate, why
Around the period of the 2011 polls, I heard a popular Nigerian say on TV that we can monitor elections (with our phone camera) and send information online to ensure credibility, I did the little I could.

The truth is almost everyone has a camera phone, many don’t know the camera is a very useful tool. You see a policeman/traffic warder receiving bribe, instead of coming to twitter to complain you make good use of your phone’s camera and post the pictures online, hereby exposing them. You drive through bad roads and complain about government’s inefficiency, you can a picture and post online just in case the person in charge of fixing that road has said the road is in good condition. Little things like blocked drainages needs to be exposed.

The truth is the Federal Government is getting majority of the attention and they feel it is by paid opposition because state and local governments also get money deliver dividends but they are not always monitored and criticized and this has rendered many of the lazy and corrupt. A particular local government chairman in Lagos went to press to claim he’s fixing all the roads in a particular town, he fixed the outer roads and left the inner roads. If he knew he was being watched he would be on his toes and execute that project effectively. Also the senators and house of representatives members regularly claim to carry out constituency projects which they actually receive money for, if there is any in your area you can let the world know, if there is none you can also let the world know. Let us point our searchlights towards other arms of governments who receive allocations and also generate their own revenue.

WatchingLagos is a platform with which you can expose or praise governance (good or bad) around you, there might be claims that roads around you were fixed whereas just a little portion was patched, take pictures and send to us for exposure or appraisal. Your mobile phone shouldn’t just be for facebook/twitter/browsing/BBM alone, you can take those pictures and send to us at watchinglagos@gmail.com or tweet at us @watchinglagos. Pictures will be posted on the website http://www.watchinglagos.com.
Those in other states can also start something similar, watching their respective states or even LGA. Together we can demand responsible and accountable governance at various levels.