News

Sanwo-Olu Calls for Synergy, Regulation As Lagos, Stakeholders Hold 2020 Water Conference

Published

4 years ago

February 13, 2020

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called for co-operation among all stakeholders in the water business to enable the state government provide healthy, available and affordable water for all purposes among the teeming populace.

Governor Sanwo-Olu made this call while delivering his address as the host of the 2020 Lagos Water Conference held at the Agip Recital Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos with the theme Re-positioning Water Governance and Regulatory Dispensation in Lagos State. Represented by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, the governor recalled his government’s commitment to create a safe, healthy and conducive environment for the good people of Lagos State, adding that the pledge is coming to life with the administration’s environmental regeneration programmes, one of which is the regime in the water water sector.

Unveiling the water book

“At the inception of this administration, we pledge to create a safe healthy and conducive environment for the good people of Lagos State, and we have continued to demonstrate our commitment to this pledge through our various environmental regeneration programmes, one of which is the enthronement of the regulatory regime in the water sector,” the governor informed

He noted further that:

“Environmental regeneration programmes in the water sector all over the world are regulatory based and Government cannot do it alone. This is why we have continued to call on major stakeholders in the water and wastewater service provisions and well meaning Nigerians to join hands with our administration in achieving this laudable objective.

“…let me use this opportunity to invite all and sundry to join this train of collective transformation of our state even as I assure all that our administration will continue to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the water sector.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, to ensure that the quality of services in the water sector are well maintained and sustained, adherence to the practice order documents is hereby recommended,” He said.

Mr Bello, on behalf of the governor unveiled the books on water resources management as well as the permit required for stakeholders to get involved in Lagos water business.

Anchored by veteran actor and broadcaster, Yemi Shodimu, the conference which drew together stakeholders in the water business, was an exercise on the reason behind government’s tendency to regularise the business of water in Lagos State as initiated by the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Water Regularisation Commission, Mrs. Funke Adepoju, who is also the convener of the conference.

In her welcome address, Mrs. Adepoju informed the stakeholders that it is basically ripe for the regularisation of the water business in Lagos State as it is no longer going to be an all comers affair. She appealed to stakeholders to see reason with the government and give their maximum cooperation.

Thereafter, speaker after speaker, applauded the government for the lofty decision to regularise water business, saying it was long overdue. Among the speakers were Julius Steyn of Osmotek, South Africa, who spoke on International Best Practice Standard for Water Governance and Regulatory Dispensations Including Examples of Similar Regions; Prof. Ayo Omotayo of the Centre for Planning, Lagos State University, who spoke on Sustainable Governance and Strengthening of Regulatory Framework on Surface and Groundwater Source/Supplies in Lagos State.

Other speakers were Mr. Rotimi Olarenwaju of the Department of Lagos, and Mr. Michael Ale. President, Association of Well Rig Owners and Practioners.

There were also goodwill messages from the Executive Director, Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission, Engr. Magashir Bashiru Umar; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mrs. Ronke Odeneye; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce Industry and Co-operative, Dr, (Mrs.) Bola Bola Balogun, and Engr. Lekan Shodeinde with the vote of thanks.

The conference promised the Lagos public of the best of water supply with the new regulatory templates agreed on.

News

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

Published

9 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.