ECOWAS Leaders Approve $50m For Six-Lane Lagos-Abidjan Highway

Heads of states belonging to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) yesterday approved  $50 million for feasibility studies and design of the six-lane  trans-West African highway project from Lagos to Abidjan.

The Lagos-Abidjan road when completed, will link Ghana, Benin Republic and Togo.

This came following a meeting held  with ECOWAS Ministers of Works and Infrastructure, which was chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The meeting was on the sidelines of the ongoing 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Chairman of the Ministerial Project Steering Committee and Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, said the $50 million, which is a contribution by the ECOWAS states, would hasten  the road project that is expected to begin in the first quarter of this year.

Onolememen said $16 million of the money will come from African Development Bank (ADB).

“The feasibility studies are going to be far in excess of $50 million, so the AfDB offered that they have this money, that is the remaining 16 million US dollars to contribute towards raising the total money for the design.

“Now for the full design to be paid for, we actually look forward to getting additional funds from development partners and multinational agencies. But to show commitment from member-states, that is why we are requesting the seed money of $50 million,” Onolememen said.

When completed, Onolememen stressed that the road would ensure proper regional integration in West Africa and also open up the sub-region for commerce.

“For instance, you can imagine what a six-lane dual carriageway leading from Lagos to Abidjan and in future from Abidjan to Dakar will do to the economy of the sub-region. It will certainly transform the economy of the sub-region.

“Nigeria alone provides 50 per cent of the population of the sub-region. So that means manufacturers and businessmen in our country will now have unfettered access to the vast markets of ECOWAS and that is one of the major achievements this project will deliver in addition to bringing about better integration between nations and nationalities of member-states,” the minister added.

CSNAC Calls On EFCC To Prosecute Lagos State Council Chairman Tajudeen Ajide

Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the Surulere Local Government of Lagos State and to prosecute its chairman, Tajudeen Ajide, citing various newspaper reports as well as documentary evidence at the disposal of the Network.

In a petition dated December 17, CSNAC recalled that following the failure of Mr. Ajide to address several complaints by the legislative arm of the council bordering on corruption and abuse of office, the legislative council on 14 March 2013 resolved to commence suspension proceedings against him for misappropriation of public funds and contravention/disregard for the Public Finance Management Law of Lagos State.
The group noted that on the basis of the Legislative Council committee's findings and following its resolution dated 19th November 2012, a vote of no confidence was passed on Mr. Ajide and a number of allegations “overwhelmingly” sustained against him.
It listed them to include:
    •    Aiding and abetting through criminal conspiracy by awarding contracts to his allies and conies through which Local Government funds were siphoned;
    •    Collection of various sums of Money both in Naira and Foreign currencies in form of salaries and purchase of official car for office of the wife of chairman which does not exist.
    •    Obtaining Bank loans and overdrafts at various times between October 2012 and February 2013 without the knowledge and approval of the Legislative council;
    •     Award of over-inflated and questionable contracts; and
    •    Purchase of a N17m vehicle for the office of the Chairman without delivery of same to the Council.
“A petition, chronicling these atrocities, was addressed by the Council Legislative House to Lagos State House of Assembly, demanding an urgent intervention in the matter and appropriate sanction against Mr. Ajide,” CSNAC said.  “Though, Mr. Ajide was summoned by Clerk of the Assembly on the strength of the petition, in a curious twist, the indicted Council Chairman has continued in corruptly enriching himself and cronies at the expense of developing the council area. “Following these unresolved allegations against Mr. Ajide and failure of the Lagos State House of Assembly to discharge its constitutional duties on this matter, we here demanding an urgent investigation and necessary action of your Commission on this matter.”
Forward the relevant documents to the EFCC and citing the failure of the Lagos State House of Assembly to discharge its constitutional duties on the matter, CSNAC demanded urgent investigation and necessary action

Lagos Residents Must Stop Burying Corpses in Residential Areas – Government

Lagos State Government warned residents of the state to desist from burying their dead in their compounds and comply with laws prohibiting burial of family members on private property located within their community.

The government made this call on December 9, 2013, Monday, stated such practice poses a major challenge for the authorities to relocate such corpses in the course of future road expansion and reconstruction projects in such areas.

At the same time, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has disclosed that over 200 roads had been constructed across the state within the last one year.

Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, gave the warning on burial to residents at Mushin Local Government Area of the state, shortly before Governor Babatunde Fashola, finally, handed over 16 completed networks of roads in the council totalling 10.127 kilometres.

Gov. Fashola in his remarks, appealed to residents to shun the culture of trading on roads and walk ways and other forms of activities that constitute nuisance on the roads. 

A Chance to Meet Beyoncé & Watch her Perform LIVE at “The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour” in New York

Will you like to win a chance to see Beyoncé Live in New York? Then get dancing.

Aside from the pop superstar’s dancers, her close friends and family as well as Jay Z of course, not many people get the chance to buy tickets to her show – The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour, not to talk of seeing her LIVE.

Pepsi has decided to change all that. Eight (8) lucky people stand the chance to win an all expense paid trip to see Beyoncé live in New York.

To win;

1. Like their Facebook page - www.facebook.com/PepsiNigeria
2. Watch the video below
   
3. Learn the moves
4. Make your own 60 seconds dance video inspired by Beyoncé

And WIN! You will meet the Queen Bey just before the concert and then watch her perform her greatest hits.

For a complete list of rules and more information on how to #DoItLikeBeyonce, log on towww.facebook.com/PepsiNigeria