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100 Days: Economist lauds Sanwo-Olu’s achievements

Published

8 months ago

September 8, 2023

An economist, Prof. Akpan Ekpo, has commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on some of his achievements and initiatives, resulting to positive economic implications on residents.

Ekpo gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos while reacting on Sanwo-Olu’s 100 days in office for second term.

Recall that the Lagos State governor was reelected for a second term in office on March 18.

According to him, one notable accomplishment is the progress made on the Lagos Blue Line Rail project expected to significantly ease transportation and help mitigate the impact of the oil subsidy removal.

Ekpo, Chairman of the Foundation of Economic Research and Training (FERT), noted that the project remained a major milestone in assisting workers in coping with the economic hardships resulting from the subsidy removal.

The economist expressed appreciation for the 50 per cent fare reduction on all transportation means owned and operated by the government.

He maintained that the reduction would provide relief to commuters and further support residents to navigate the economic challenges brought about by the removal of the petrol subsidy.

According to him, it is noteworthy that Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s administration has initiated the implementation of the Lagos State 30-year development plan within his first 100 days back in the office

Ekpo commended the governor for progressing with this plan and advised him to continue to do so in the future.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that construction of the 13-kilometer blue line rail began in 2009 and was inaugurated by Gov. Sanwo-Olu on Sept. 4.

The project faced delays, due to funding constraints, but it is now completed.

Once fully operational, the blue line rail is expected to transport an estimated 150,000 passengers daily, with each trip accommodating up to 1,200 passengers.

This will significantly reduce travel time from Mile 2 to Marina, cutting it down from three hours to just 25 minutes.

Related Topics:Babajide Sanwo-Olu Lagos State

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Fagbemi warns against obstructing EFCC from performing its lawful duty

Published

6 days ago

April 18, 2024

Fellow Press

The Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN has warned against obstructing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from carrying out its lawful duty .

Fagbemi’s warning is contained in a statement in Abuja.

“This is a matter of very grave concern, it is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigations into any matter, regardless of status.

“Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of EFCC, but to honourably answer their invitation.

“A situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is to say the least, insufferably disquieting’’.

He added that running away from the law will not resolve issues at stake but only exacerbate them.

“Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone who follows the rule of law in seeking protection.

“I therefore encourage anyone who has been invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by honouring such invitation instead of embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism.

“This can only put our country in bad light before the rest of the world’’.

He said institutions of state should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently.

“I stand for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC, and indeed any other agency to order when there is an indication of any transgressions of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies’’.

NAN reports that the EFCC had on Wednesday warned members of the public that it was a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

Section 38(2)(a(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties. Culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

The warning , the EFCC said, became necessary against the background of the increasing tendency by persons and groups under investigation by the Commission to take the laws into their hands by recruiting thugs to obstruct lawful operations of the EFCC.

On several occasions, the anti graft agency said, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

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Unknown Gunmen Abduct Channelstv Reporter In Port-harcourt

Published

2 weeks ago

April 12, 2024

Ifunaya Emeka

Some unknown gunmen have kidnapped Joshua Rogers, the ChannelsTV reporter in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Politics Nigeria learnt that Rogers was picked up close to his residence at Rumuosi in Port Harcourt and to an unknown destination by the gunmen around 9pm on Thursday, April 11.

The reporter was driving his official ChannelsTV branded car when the hoodlums accosted, pointed a gun at him and took him away in the same vehicle.

Rogers was said to be returning from his official assignment in Government House after a trip to Andoni for a government event when the incident happened.

Already, the gunmen were said to have contacted his wife and demanded a N30million ransom for bis release.

His cameraman confirmed the incident and appealed to his abductors to set him free unconditionally.