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Lagos cracks down on illegal bus stops, seizes 84 vehicles

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The Lagos State Taskforce has vowed to clamp down on commercial bus drivers disposed to parking illegally along the roads of the Lagos metropolis.

The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, declared the resolve to sanitise the roads of Lagos, warning perpetrators of illegal parking to desist.

Akerele issued the warning on Friday during an enforcement-for-compliance exercise he led at Adeniji-Adele and adjoining routes to rid the axis of traffic gridlock and criminal activities caused by illegal operators of bus parks and bus stops along that axis.

Akerele who said that the ‘go-slow’ phenomenon (traffic jam) ‘is not natural’, stated that activities of commercial motor operators along that route had been going on for too long therefore it was time to put an end to it.

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The Taskforce Chairman described the activities of commercial bus drivers (Danfo) as worrisome due to long hours of traffic obstruction caused by their actions which has a devastating effect on motorists and Lagosians as a whole.

“Motorists do not have to spend longer travel time on this route due to the actions of a few. Occupying one or two lanes to create illegal bus parks is completely unacceptable and we are here to let these operators know that. If you want to pick up or drop off passengers, go to the designated bus parks,” a statement on Friday by the Director, Press and Public Affairs, Lagos State Taskforce, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem made available to our correspondent quoted Akerele.

The Chairman further disclosed that the enforcement exercises carried out are going to be continuous and more intense and will be carried out across various parts of the State.

He described his planned actions as people-oriented, meant to ensure that Lagosians are not deprived of their right to proper utilisation of public amenities.

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In a related development, the Lagos State Taskforce sanitized Awolowo Way and Ipodo Street close to Ikeja Under Bridge where the same practice of creating traffic bottle-necks through illegal Car Parks and Garages had been observed.

The operation recorded the removal of all vehicles parked illegally on the Highway and adjoining streets causing untold hardship.

Akerele said that 84 vehicles were confiscated during both operations and assured residents and commuters around the area that the days of commercial bus drivers dropping off and picking up passengers at unapproved locations are numbered.

“Go-slow is not natural, not created by God. It is caused by the activities of a few recalcitrant drivers. The obstruction being experienced during the rush hours results in spillovers being extended to the Third Mainland Bridge and Kodesoh Street respectively, thereby making those areas impassable to motorists,” he said.

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Operators of kiosks and make-shift stores on the kerbs and walkways on Adeniji Adele were also not spared as the officials of the Agency cleared the structures erected on the walkway meant for pedestrians.

Traders selling on the Street at Ipodo were warned to move their goods off the Road or risk having them confiscated by the Agency.

The operation, the Agency said, was to restore sanity, while Akerele promised to maintain the decorum and serenity attained during the weeklong exercise.

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Shettima becomes 1st VP to lead Nigeria’s delegation to UN Assembly in 25 yrs

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decided not to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York this year.

The president has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.

President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the United Kingdom, according to a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.

“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.”

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“The high-level General Debate, with the theme ‘Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,’ will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024,” the statement added.

Since return to democratic governance in 199, Shettima will be the first Vice President to Nigeria’s delegation to UNGA.

Only Goodluck Jonathan represented Nigeria as Acting president in September 2010 at the 65th UNGA, while late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua was away in Saudi Arabia due to his ill health.

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Plateau Assembly approves N5.8bn for LG election

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The Plateau State House of Assembly, on Thursday, approved N5.8bn for the conduct of the local government election in the state slated for October 9, 2024.

The approval by the House followed a communication from Governor Caleb Mutfwang, which was read at plenary by the Assembly Speaker, Gabriel Dewan.

The Speaker stated that the request was necessary as there was no budgetary allocation for the LG elections in the 2024 budget.

A member of the State Assembly, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak for the Assembly, confirmed the development to The PUNCH in Jos on Thursday.

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The lawmaker said, “Governor Mutfwang, at Tuesday’s plenary, sought the House’s approval for N5.7bn as the 2024 supplementary, which was increased after upward review by the legislators.”

He continued, “The House leader, Joseph Bukar, presented the bill during our plenary. While soliciting the support of members for speedy passage, he said PLASIEC was running out of time in preparation for the election.”

“In their individual contributions, Hon. Kalamu Dal suggested a downward review of the budget size, while Hon. Daniel Nanbol urged for a critical review and deliberations. Afterwards, members approved a revised sum of N5.8bn, as opposed to the N5.7bn requested.”

The increase, as explained by Bukar, was due to an increase in security allocation for the election, from N2.7m to N4.2m. “So, that is what happened, and that is where we are at the moment regarding the forthcoming LG election,” the lawmaker concluded.

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Enugu, Kwara tighten security ahead of LG polls

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Security measures have been intensified in Enugu and Kwara states ahead of their Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.

In Enugu State, the Police Command has pledged to ensure the safety of lives and properties during the elections.

However, the peace accord signing for the elections was marred by the absence of major parties like the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, and Labour Party.

Only representatives from the All Progressives Grand Alliance and Accord attended but chose not to sign the accord, citing the lack of participation from the leading parties.

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Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, said all wards and flashpoints had been identified, and security personnel would be on high alert to prevent any disruptions.

The Chairman of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Chris Ngwu, said the commission was fully prepared for the elections with the support of the state government in procuring necessary materials.

In Kwara State, security agencies have been actively coordinating to ensure a smooth electoral process.

Over 3,000 personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have been deployed across the state.

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The Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission has completed arrangements for a trouble-free election.

Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, reported that a strategic meeting with heads of various security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and others, had been held to ensure coordinated efforts for maintaining law and order.

The Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, guaranteed maximum security for the election period.

The NSCDC Commandant, Dr. Umar Mohammed, announced the deployment of 3,000 personnel to various polling units and emphasised their role in preventing violence, ballot snatching, and other disruptions.

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Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, Telumun Tombowua, announced on Thursday that eight political parties will participate in the upcoming LG elections in the state, scheduled for October 5, 2024.

Addressing journalists in Makurdi, Tombowua said the election would be conducted fairly and transparently.

He emphasised that the law establishing the BSIEC does not permit the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation Machines for this election.

Regarding the APC, Tombowua confirmed that the National Working Committee of the party had requested the commission to work with the seven-man caretaker committee appointed to oversee party affairs in the state.

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He noted that while 14 parties had initially shown interest, only eight completed the necessary processes and submitted their candidates.

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