JAF, Workers Unions, Human Rights Groups Join Motorbike Operators to Protest Lagos Ban; JAF Advocates System Change

By SaharaReporters, New York

Pro-labour welfare movements, labour unions and civil society groups today expressed their solidarity with the motorbike operators’ union which is protesting the recent ban on them by the Lagos State government preventing operation on major streets of Lagos.

In a symposium organized by the Joint Action Front [JAF] at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Secretariat in Lagos, the NLC, Academic Staff Union of Universities [ASUU], Nigeria Union of Teachers [NUT], Nigeria Medical Association [NMA], Center for the Defense of Human Rights [CDHR] and United Action for Democracy [UAD] jointly condemned the implementation of what they called a cruel law.  

They criticized the government for implementing the new regulation without due consultation or provision of a social safety net before phasing out operators of commercial motorbikes in the State.

The counsel to the motorbike operators in a suit brought against the Lagos State Government for the ban, Barrister Bamidele Aturu, accused the government of trying to copy the advanced cities of the world at the expense of the poor people of Lagos State.

Evaluating the policies of the current Lagos State Government since inception, the civil society bodies and workers’ unions described the government as an anti-people administration.

Although the symposium was convened to assess the myriad problems confronting the nation including the recent flooding in some parts of the country which rendered many people homeless, the Lagos State ban on commercial motorbikes dominated the discussion. 

Moderated by Dr. Dipo Fashina, the meeting, which lasted more than four hours, resolved to protest the ban and resist further anti-people laws being promulgated by the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN] in the State.

JAF announced that it would mobilize the masses to protest the ban, and condemned the call by the Lagos State Governor on the military to deal ruthlessly with the poor motorbike operators wherever they are seen in the restricted areas.

JAF called for system change, accusing Governor Babatunde Fashola of militarizing the State and stressing that it took a lot of civil struggle to rid governance in Nigeria of the military.

Other civil society groups at the symposium include Community Network Alliance [COMNET], Moshood Abiola Vanguard for Democracy [MAVD] and Social Workers Link.

Saharareporters

Kaduna State Governor Dares Boko Haram, Says, “…I Will Not Resign”

Gov. Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State on Thursday reiterated his resolve to see through his tenure despite the spate of bombings by radical Islamist sect, Boko Haram in the state.

This was disclosed by the governor at the PDP National Headquarters in Abuja while fielding questions from newsmen.
The governor disclosed that the state government was on top of the situation, adding, “me say to you out rightly that I will not resign. There is absolutely no reason for me to resign.
“We are on top of the security challenges we are facing in Kaduna State,” he stressed.
He said that the state government was working with the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure the security of the state.
InformationNigeria.org

“They didn’t take the money, they wanted documents” – Dino Melaye speaks on burgled office

Former House of Reps member, Dino Melaye’s office in Abuja, has been burgled by unknown men. The Kogi-born lawmaker, is currently fighting the Ministry of the Niger Delta, over alleged fraud, and he was quick to point them out as suspects.
“Our office was burgled overnight. They were looking for documents. And I suspect it is those from the Ministry of the Niger Delta,” Melaye told DailyPost in an exclusive phone conversation.
“Sadly for them, we don’t keep documents in the office, so they did not steal anything. There were even money in the office, about one million naira, but we found it when we came in.”
Honourable Melaye also told us that he had reported the matter to the police, amidst threats.
“We have reported the matter to the police and we have also informed them about some text messages threatening to kill us. But we won’t back down. No retreat, no surrender,” he fired.

 DailyPost

2face Idibia acquires two Haven homes in Lagos

2face Idibia broke the news to fans on micro-blogging site Twitter with a photo of him signing some documents
‘Just bought me 2 HAVEN homes,‘ he tweeted.
His wife and mother of one Annie Macaulay-Idibia was obviously super excited as she also tweeted; ‘Thank U father……Awesome God ! We are gratefuL‘.
We can not immediately confirm the location of the homes and how much they cost.
E-mails sent to Idibia’s real estate consultants 3INVEST concerning the details of the house had not been replied as at the time of this report.
HAVEN Homes are ultra modern houses being built in different parts of Lagos: Magodo, Lekki and Banana Island.
They have different high tech features including automated light switches, central audio systems, open plan living spaces, walkways and more.
 DailyPost

PHCN vs Wamakko: Sokoto to experience total blackout after ultimatum expires

The action of Governor Wamakko Magatakada against some staff of the Power Holding company of Nigeria, PHCN has since taken a different turn after the Electricity workers in the North-West Zone decided to issue a seven-day ultimatum to the Governor to redress his action through a public apology to the officials he  allegedly flogged while on duty.
Wamakko has been accused of  whipping Engr. Moses Osigwe, Business Manager of Gwiwa Business Unit of PHCN, and his fellow staff, Mallam Isyaku Daura, Officer II (Electrical) and Nuruddeen Mohammed, Staff l(Lines). The Governor was said to have taken the action because he believed they manipulated  the failure of two SMVA transformers that supply electricity to his home, Wamakko.
The electricity workers had written a letter entitled  ”Demand for Unreserved Apology and Payment of Compensation for Assault on Our Members” The letter which was  signed by the Assistant General Secretary of the electricity workers’ union in the zone, Mr. Moses Amedu, had accused  the Governor of beating their members blue and black, and at the same time ordering the officers attached to him to complete the torture.
The letter, with reference NUEE/AGS/NW/KD/201 2/120, dated October 31, 2012, said: “We are shocked beyond imagination to learn that on October 20, you invited the Business Manager and two Officers to your house, where you subjected them to inhuman treatment by personally whipping them mercilessly and then ordered their continuous flogging by the Mobile Policemen attached to your office.
“As the Chief Security Officer of the state, whom we are supposed to rely on for the security of the staff and equipment of PHCN in Sokoto State, you have betrayed our hope by this singular and unwarranted act.
“This action can be best described as a rampage and uncontrolled anger. Therefore, except you renew our hope and confidence and tender an unreserved public apology to the staff you have dehumanised, we can no longer guarantee the continuous service of our members in Sokoto State.
“You should also be prepared to pay compensation that will be sent to your office soon. Accordingly, one week is sufficient to do this.”
Unfortunately, the one-week ultimatum specified by the electricity  workers had passed yesterday with no apology and compensation from  Wamakko. This has aggravated the anger of  the union, directing its members within the state to embark on an indefinite strike should Wamakko continues to remain silent and adamant on the matter.
The union said: “We regret the inconveniences this unfortunate incident and subsequent action of the union may cause the good citizens of Sokoto State.”
They had reiterated that the Governor should be held responsible for the action they are about to take in Sokoto state.
Recall that Dailypost had written an editorial on this matter. If you missed it read here…
DailyPost

Seven Burnt To Death In Auto Crash

Seven persons were yesterday burnt to death in an auto crash along Agbor-Abavo-Asaba highway.
National president of Ijaw People Development Initiative, , IPDI, Comrade Austin Ozobo who witnessed the accident said the accident occurred at about 3.40 pm, adding that there were four survivors, who were rushed to an undisclosed hospital.
“A bus carrying about 11 passengers reportedly collided with a Peugeot J5 bus, which lost control.
“It is quite disturbing. I saw human beings burning alive and there was nothing anybody could do to stop the fire.
“Immediately it happened, there was an explosion and the bus caught fire. There was no fire service, even when the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC officials, came later, nobody could do anything. People were just watching until they were burnt. There were only four survivors,” he said.
InformationNigeria.org

Opinion: Fashola, why so deceitful?

inShare

by Olumide Makanjuola

 

If you know Lagos State very well, you will understand how ridiculous and insensitive the state government has made itself look with the ‘okada’ restriction law on 475 roads.

In the last few months, we have heard rumor about the Lagos State government banning motor cycle popularly call ‘okada’. For some reason, I thought this must be the most expensive joke of all time considering how the Lagos State governor used ‘okada’ rider for his election campaign last year.  Apparently, those days are gone and forgotten by the governor.
I have asked myself many times what could have lead to this ‘okada’ “restriction’’ now obviously ‘okada’ ban but I certainly can’t figure out any reasonable justification. If you talk of ’okada’ accident, it no big deal, buses do have accident across the state and am convinced we don’t have record of how many people who have lost their lives from bus accident. I would have expected the State government to carry out a survey to assess how convenient people find the public transportation especially mini buses and BRT within the state. With this, they will understand how crazy it gets trying to move from one location to another within the state using mini buses and the glorified molue, BRT. Also, I know some of you might want to argue without foundation on ’okada’ being the major transportation robber find very accessible for their operation but what happened to buses and cars? I will let you figure this out and I hope you will be sincere in your judgment.
If you know Lagos State very well, you will understand how ridiculous and insensitive the state government has made itself look with ’okada’ restriction on 475 roads. I always don’t think I need to say this but for those who might not be aware, Lagos State has the smallest landscape across the country and is the most populated in Nigeria and across the West Africa sub-region. The commercial buses in the state cannot provide for the entire populace except we want to deceive ourselves. I know some of you might want to argue this because you probably seat in your padded car with full air condition and have no idea what those who access public transportation go through. You also see ’okada’ rider as those you think constitute foolish driving who have potential of hitting your car or had done this before. But ask yourself this question; don’t private cars and public buses also drive irresponsibly?
I have carefully monitored how difficult it has been for people who find ’okada’ as other means of transporting for themselves across the state. I also looked at the frustration people are forced to deal with in the last few days and what I could  draw from this is how inconsiderate, heartless, and selfish our government both at the local council, state and federal level has become. I don’t know who advise the governor on transportation issue in the state but am confident the person is very disconnect from reality of situation on transportation across the state. This is the only country where we cut off amenities without providing option for users of such service. The government has refused to provide sufficient and accessible transportation system and yet we are’’ Restricting’’ citizen who have taken lead in this initiative and also find this as a means to survive with their families. The government says it only restricted ’okada’ on 475 roads in Lagos state but Police officer and other uniform officer has taken this beyond the 475 roads with baseless justification. ‘Okada’ riders now run even within street just because the hungry police officer has seen this as a mean of making more money daily
However, I would like the government to consider some steps towards addressing the frustration it has landed it citizen in the last few days from this unjustifiable decision on ’okada’ restriction.

1. Allow ’okada’ to run their business during the peak period (6am-10am and 4pm-9pm) when traffic is huge and buses are very limited especially Mondays to Fridays.
2. Create sensible traffic laws that will control and guide the usage of ‘okadas’ in the state.
3. Carry out a survey to appraise how accessible the populace find the public transportation system and what they think the options are.

If the Lagos government would consider these three steps, we might at some point arrive at a solution in addressing the transportation crisis in the state.
YNaija.com