News

Elulade Promises Engaging Stakeholders Conference, Says LASIMRA’s Operations, Processes Will Henceforth Be Automated

Published

4 years ago

January 8, 2020

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The General Manager, Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA), Engr, Funsho Elulade, has said that henceforth all operations and processes of the agency will be automated, and activities carried out more online than across the counter.

Elulade made the remarks when he addressed the press at the agency’s complex in Ikeja on the agenda of his administration and the direction of the forthcoming stakeholders conference billed to take place on January 14, 2020 at the Muson Centre, Lagos Island.

In his speech, the General Manager, who was flanked by the Deputy General Manager, Engr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote, and the Head, Administration and Human Resources, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Oladeji, said his mandate is in line with the vision of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who in his wisdom realised that LASIMRA has the capacity to generate revenue to the tune of what is obtainable with the Lagos Internal Revenue Service to create a Lagos of everyone’s dreams. And as a result, he ‘deemed it fit to put a formidable team together to realise that agenda’.

Appointed in November 2019 to propel LASIMRA to another level of achievement, Elulade, who has performed creditably in his previous assignments, is calling a stakeholders conference to among other things, carry the people along in all his endeavours.

He said: “This is the major reason for holding the stakeholders conference. We found out that changing our processes, increasing or upgrading and decreasing tariffs, we need to carry people along; we need to get the public buying and we need to get our stakeholders’ buying. So the first thing we believe is necessary is to undertake a stakeholders conference and of course that is where we will lay down the new rules and regulations in line with Lagos State government agenda.”

He noted as well that his mission will include correcting all the anomalies in carrying out the activities of the agencies as regards the rules and regulations guiding LASIMRA.

“It will interest you to know that LASIMRA was established in 2004, and its establishment was in line with what existed during that time. So some of the regulations were not really captured. I’ve undertaken all the processes,” he said.

Mr. Elulade itemised some of his visions in the coming days as follows:

“Firstly, we are increasing all the tariffs in line with what is obtainable in all the other states. Lagos is interestingly one of the states in Nigeria that doesn’t undertake site assessment report. We will introduce that, Again, we will automate all our processes as stakeholders can do whatever it takes to obtain permits without coming to the office. Everything will be done online. And they will be able to track the books of their submission. In addition to that, the only way they will have their contract renewed is when they submit their technical report. It is imperative that our in house engineers do site inspections to ensure everything is in order.

“Again, I will sensitise our stakeholders that LASIMRA’s law covers everything in comparison to others. We need to further inform that this new management will undertake full operationalistion of LASIMRA law. Everything will be used to regulate utility infrastructure.”

For those who believe that LASIMRA is just all about regulating telecommunication companies and internet services providers, Elulade informed.

“A lot of people think LASIMRA only regulate telecom companies and internet service providers, no. It involves anything infrastructure; telecommunication, IPS, power, water, gas, roads – anything underground, on ground and in the air, according to the law,” he said.

He further stated that the safety of Lagosians was of paramount importance to the agency, even much more than revenue generation, and so will ensure maximum compliance from operators and owners of Telecom companies using the instrumentality of the law.

“We will use the law to make sure Lagosians are safe. The operators and owners of telecom will no longer be permitted to indiscriminately cause congestion on the roads by digging to mount their equipment. We will come up with comprehensive traffic management that will not further prolong congestion in Lagos. We will scrutinise their designs of towers to prevent collapsing and killing Lagosians.

In his conclusion, Elulade exposed that going forward, the agency will operate three satelite offices in Ikorodu, Epe and Badagry to achieve LASIMRA’s goal and in turn achieve Lagos State’s goal.

News

Ex-Gov Bello Stripped of Security Details, Placed on Watchlist

Published

16 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Eric

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has placed Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, on a watchlist, just as the police headquarters in Abuja “ordered the withdrawal of all men attached to his excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former executive governor of Kogi state”.

Bello was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 18 after his absence from the federal high court in Abuja “stalled his arraignment”.

The anti-graft agency alleges that Bello, alongside Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, diverted about N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

In a statement signed by DS Umar, assistant comptroller of immigration, on behalf of Kemi Nandap, comptroller-general of the NIS, the agency said “the above named person has been placed on watch list”.

“The subject is being prosecuted for breach of trust and money laundering. If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation for further action,” the statement reads.

On April 17, the EFCC ended its siege on Bello’s residence in Abuja after Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at the house and was later seen leaving with his predecessor.

News

N80.2b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex- Gov Bello Wanted

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, wanted. Yahaya Bello was declared wanted for offences bordering on economic and financial crimes, with special emphasis to an alleged N82.2 billion fraud.

This was contained in a press statement made available to news men on Thursday.

The statement signed by Commission’s management reads as follows:

“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCCfor offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 bn.

“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station.”

News

EFCC Seeks Military’s Help to Arrest Fleeing Ex-Gov Bello

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned to April 23, the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello.

The adjournment is for substituted service and possible arraignment of Bello for alleged N84billion money laundering.

At the sitting, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the court that Bello was absent from court for his arraignment because he was being protected by someone with immunity.

Phinro complained that the former governor was whisked out of his Abuja residence by the same person with immunity.

Phinro said the anti-graft agency might seek the help of the military to fish him out to come face his arraignment.

Responding to this submission, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad, told the court that there is an order of the court restraining the EFCC from arresting or arraigning him.

Muhammad said a Kogi State High Court had on February 9, 2024 restrained the EFCC from arresting or arraigning the former governor.

He added that the EFCC has appealed the ruling and the Court of Appeal was yet to decide on the matter.

He pointed out that the action of the EFCC was unconstitutional and the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain any charge from the EFCC.

Counsel for the EFCC, however, disagreed with the submission of the counsel to Bello.

The EFCC counsel held that the ruling in the substantive matter on the suit was delivered on March 17, 2024 by the Kogi State High Court.

He cleared the air that the court in its ruling held that for the former governor to be arrested or arraigned, the EFCC must first seek leave from the court to do so.

He said it was in line with that judgment that the EFCC, through an exparte application, filed for the order seeking the arrest of the former governor which was granted by the court.

Counsel for Yahaya Bello, however, insisted before the court that the order for the ex-governor’s arrest was made out of jurisdiction. He said the former governor is not a fugitive, but relying on the order of the Kogi State High Court to take protection.

On Wednesday, EFCC operatives stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and spent most part of the day attempting to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor.

The EFCC subsequently warned members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

The Commission’s spokesperson said that 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.

According to him, culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

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

“Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.

“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions,” the statement added.