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Lagos has created over 30,000 jobs through environment sector – Bello
- Over 30,000 residents given direct employment
By Dada Jackson
Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, says the present administration has stabilised and restored confidence to the environment sector.
Bello spoke at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, during the 2nd Year of Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu administration’s Ministerial Press Briefing by the Environment and Water Resources Ministry.
According to him, at the last count, over 30,000 direct new jobs have been created in the environment sector through the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) with several thousands of indirect jobs.
He said the period under review also saw the acquisition of 210 new compactors by the PSP operators who have also employed over 8,200 people with the number of the PSPs growing from 350 to 437.
The commissioner stressed that in line with the THEMES Agenda, waste generation and disposal processes had been reinvigorated through circular waste recycling.
He explained that the process would reduce the amount of waste generated and transported to the landfill sites, which were getting filled up already.
Bello said that the ministry had constructed a recycling bank within the Ministry of Environment complex and had been promoting the establishment of recycling banks in the government built estates across the state.
He noted that as part of climate change mitigation efforts of the present administration, many new parks and gardens had been created while landscaping and beautification of new sites have continued.
He added that LASPARK was partnering the private sector with its ‘adopt a park’ policy through which the OPS were encouraged to adopt and brand sites, parks and gardens.
Bello reiterated that the agency also commissioned a mini effluent treatment plant used to treat waste water and had recorded a remarkable achievement in the fight against noise pollution from social clubs and religious organizations.
He emphasised that Lagos had moved from the notoriety of a flood-ravaged coastal city to one with clean, dredged and free flowing drainage channels all year round.
He said contracts were awarded for construction of new drainage channels in 47 strategic locations in the state, with work at 12 locations 100 per cent completed, 17 at above 80 per cent and 18 at above 50 per cent completion.
Under the maintenance and dredging of Primary Channels Programme, a total of 42 primary channels cleaning and dredging contracts were awarded across the state, according to Bello.
The commissioner said another 192 secondary collectors drains spread across the 20 local government areas of the state had been cleaned up.
Bello informed that to promote safe and healthy living of the citizenry and with massive support from the World Bank, six air quality control monitoring stations were commissioned in six locations across the state.
“The EFAG Gang has carried out routine maintenance, cleaning and emergency deflooding interventions on approximately 307 km length of both Tertiary and Secondary Drains all over the State in the last one year,” he disclosed.
Bello said 1,663 contravening structures were identified in some local governments monitored for contravention of drainage alignments and setbacks while removal had commenced with about 84 per cent completion.
“The State Signage and Advertisement Agency launched the 2021 Mobile Advert Stickers to enhance a more effective regulatory process for mobile advertisements,” Bello said.
He said as part of Covid-19 containment measures, the ministry had intensified the disinfecting of schools, public institutions and highways regularly.
He said that the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) arrested 2,858 people comprising illegal traders, hawkers, highway crossing defaulters, environmental polluters and cart pushers out of which 294 persons were prosecuted according to the State Environmental Laws.
To improve on the supply of portable healthy water to the citizens, Bello informed that the state through the Lagos Water Corporation has recorded 85 per cent completion at the ongoing construction of 70MGD (Million Gallons per Day) Adiyan II water plant.
metro
Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo
Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of two soldiers and the theft of their weapons by operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
IPOB is a separatist group advocating for the creation of the Republic of Biafra, citing longstanding grievances over the marginalization of Nigeria’s South-East region since the Biafra-Nigeria civil war.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Nigerian Army explained that the incident occurred in Osina, Ideator North Local Government Area of Imo State, when troops from the 34 Artillery Brigade, returning from a routine patrol, responded to an emergency call about an attack on Osina Community by IPOB/ESN forces.
The statement revealed that upon arrival, the troops engaged the “terrorists” with overwhelming firepower, resulting in casualties among the attackers. However, the Army did not provide specific numbers, only noting that the “dissidents” eventually withdrew in disarray.
“Unfortunately, two security agents had been killed in action and one other missing in action, with their weapons—a AK-47 rifle and a tear gas launcher—being seized by the terrorists,” the statement said.
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The Army confirmed that the bodies of the fallen soldiers had been recovered, and the troops pursued the fleeing militants.
“Contact was again made with the criminal IPOB/ESN elements at Nkwachi Community, and in the firefight that ensued, one of the dissidents was neutralized while others, unable to withstand the troop’s firepower, retreated into the nearby forest. One AK-47 rifle with a fully loaded magazine was recovered, ” the statement said, adding that the troops continued their pursuit into Umalouma forest, where another intense exchange of fire took place.
“The dissidents eventually abandoned their weapons due to the troops’ superior firepower and scattered into the dense forest with severe gunshot wounds. An additional four AK-47 rifles, one Fabrique Nationale rifle, and two magazines were recovered,” the statement added.
The Army assured the public that operations would continue, with efforts to track down and eliminate the remaining criminals. “Further exploitation is ongoing as troops continue to track down the injured terrorists and flush them out of their hideouts and treatment locations,” the statement stated. “We urge all IPOB/ESN elements and other criminals hiding in the bushes to surrender to the nearest troops or face defeat, as the Brigade will ensure that the people of Imo celebrate the Yuletide season in peace, free from fear or intimidation.”
The Nigerian Army also called on the people of Imo State to continue providing timely intelligence to assist in the fight against criminal elements and help rid the state of lawlessness.
Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo
metro
13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash
13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash
The Federal Road Safety Corps, Ondo State Sector Command, says no fewer than 13 people were burnt to death along Ikare-Akoko/ Owo Road on Saturday in the state.
Dr Samuel Ibitoye, FRSC State Sector Commander made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Akure.
“FRSC regrets to inform the public about a road traffic crash that occurred today 28 December, 2024 at Abule Panu before Ose Bridge, on Owo-Ikare highway, Ondo State.
“The fatal crash which occurred at about 10:14 AM claimed 13 lives of commuters in two buses.
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“A total of 14 people were involved, out of which 13 were burnt beyond recognition, while only one was rescued alive with serious injuries.
“Eyewitness account indicates that the bus coming from Ikare axis had a tyre burst which led to loss of control.
“This was resultant in a head-on collision with the bus loaded with fabric coming from Owo axis.
“Immediately after the collision, the two buses went up in flames. The men of FRSC, Police and Fire Service were swiftly at the crash scene for rescue,” he said.
The FRSC boss said that the injured victim was taken to Federal Medical Centre, Owo, while the deceased were deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.
He, therefore, advised drivers to exercise patience on the roads and passionately maintain their vehicles.
“Passengers are also encouraged to speak out against dangerous driving because road safety is a concern of all,” Ibitoye said.
13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash
NAN
metro
NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn
NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to galvanise the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) by releasing N30 billion counterpart fund for the development of young entrepreneurs.
The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku who disclosed this in Port Harcourt, restated the Commission’s commitment to empowering the people of the region through economic programmes.
He highlighted the NDCCITMA’s role in training youths, supporting SMEs, and designing industry-friendly skill development programmes.
He said, “We are providing N30 billion to fund projects and support businesses to ensure the sustainability of our youth development initiatives.
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“We will release the matching funds so the entrepreneurs can access them to boost their businesses. In our 2024 budget, we have provision for N30 billion which we are to use as matching funds for the chamber of commerce. We are working towards releasing this fund so that the chamber of commerce can start work in earnest.
“The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce will strengthen young entrepreneurs in the region. It is no longer acceptable for our youths to be contented with receiving stipends while at home doing nothing.
Ogbuku remarked that the Commission was collaborating with the Bank of Industry, BOI, to ensure the success of NDDC’s youth development programmes.
“The current NDDC Board and Management choose to look at sustainable options in designing youth programmes. In the past, we did a lot in supporting entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta but these activities were not properly documented and backed with verifiable data.
“Our new strategy is to support genuine entrepreneurs rather than people who are just portfolio entrepreneurs because we know that the government alone cannot employ everybody. Many university graduates are coming out, and the government cannot employ all of them. However, we can empower them by creating an environment where they can engage other persons to expand their businesses.”
NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn
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