Politics
Abiodun: Ogun, FG working to put infrastructure in Tongeji Island
Abiodun: Ogun, FG working to put infrastructure in Tongeji Island
…mulls establishment of Naval Base in Ogun
Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has disclosed the state was collaborating with the Federal Government put in place infrastructure in Tongegi Island in order to make the residents of the oil rich island feel development as Nigerians.
Abiodun disclosed this when he received the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Yakub Wambai, who paid him a courtesy call in his office at Oke-Mosan Abeokuta, on Wednesday.
The governor, while informing Wambai his desire to visit the Island to see things for himself, said that he had on several occasion discussed the issue of the island with the president and other relevant authorities on the need to make the people feel the presence of government in the area.
“I have discussed with Mr. President the condition of the people on the island when he came here to commission some of our projects. I have also discussed with the National Security Adviser and other relevant stakeholders on the need for Nigeria to make a strong presence in the island especially with the activities of our neighbouring country.
“Though the island can only be accessed through the water, I will visit the Island very soon to see things for myself and I would like you to make the trip with me”, Abiodun told the Naval Chief.
He, however, reiterated his request for the setting up of a Naval Base at the Olokola seaport, adding that the Nigerian Air force and the Customs Service have indicated interest to establish their presence at the state’s Cargo Airport, which according to him is undergoing construction with the first phase ready for commissioning on the second quarter of this year.
“Very soon, we will be announcing the commencement of our sea port, to that extent, you will be receiving a letter requesting for a full Naval Base in Ogun State and we will do everything to support the establishment of that base. Because if we are creating a port, it is also important for us to ensure that we have significant naval presence,” he noted
He explained that Ogun being the industrial hub of the country and the closest to Lagos, the nation’s economic capital, the state is poised to face security challenges.
He praised the inter-agency cooperation and collaboration with his administration which he said had engendered peace and security.
While pledging to give the Navy the necessary support, Abiodun said the reactivation of OP MESA, establishment of the Amotekun Corps, has assisted bringing about peace across the state.
According to him, operation of the OP MESA has been expanded to deal with ritual killings, cyber crimes, cultism, kidnapping and oil bunkering.
Earlier, Admiral Wambai said apart from assessing the condition of the Navy Secondary School in Abeokuta, his visit was to also look at ways security could be improved, taking into consideration recent happenings in the country.
The Flag Officer Commanding who had earlier inaugurated the observation post and embarked on familiarization tour of the school, disclosed that the visit was his first since he assumed duty.
“Nigerian Navy Secondary School Abeokuta has been very wonderful; it has produced a lot of talents for Nigeria and produced excellent results. We are here to make sure that the standard which they are known for is maintained or even taken to the next level.
“The school so far is doing very well, it has been able to leave up to its billing, the infrastructure I have seen can be compared to most other secondary schools, even better than some and we will continue to do the best we can. The Navy as it were, will continue to put in its utmost best to make sure that whatever school it has, will continue to maintain very high standard both in character and learning,” he said.
Wamabai, however, commended the management of the school led by Commander Jacinta Asetubo and charged the school’s Steel Band and other students to balance their character with learning.
He called for continued support from the state government, saying his officers and men stationed in the state were ever ready to contribute to the peace and security of the state.
Breaking: Speaker Obasa Debunks Allegation Of Spending N17b On Assembly Gate
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, on Thursday described the allegation that the House spent N17 billion on the fixing of a gate as spurious and funny.
A self-proclaimed group, Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, had accused the Assembly of spending the amount to construct a gate. The group also sought investigation of the claim.
Speaking at plenary, Dr. Obasa said the allegation stemmed from the fear of some people over 2027 which is still more than two years away.
Obasa further debunked the claim that the House spent N200 million on its recently organised 22nd thanksgiving service for staff.
“It is so funny. How much is the allocation of the Assembly in the whole year that we will decide to spend N17 billion on a gate? They even claimed that we expended 200 million on thanksgiving that did not hold.
“We are aware that at a period like this when we are approaching elections in 2027, we should expect such things. I think some people are scared and I don’t know why.
“This House did not and has not embarked on any such project. We are not that reckless. We had our thanksgiving last Friday and dignitaries from various parts of the State attended it,” the Speaker said.
Addressing further claims by the group about the alleged relationship between him and the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, the Speaker denied attending the latter’s screening and confirmation by the National Assembly.
“They said that I was at the National Assembly when they were confirming the EFCC chairman. I want to believe that there are CCTV cameras at the National Assembly to identify those who attended the event. The press must have written about it too. So the group should do more to confirm if I was there.
“This is just to deny the allegations in the interest of the public and not the writers because the writers are not those we should be joining words with,” the Speaker said.
Earlier, the House, through its spokesperson, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, had addressed the allegations noting that the Assembly bases its activities on integrity, transparency and accountability.
“It is ludicrous the claim about constituency intervention funds and constituency project funds and their handling by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko as claimed by the group.
“One would have expected a self-acclaimed anti-corruption crusading group to do its groundwork before jumping across the fence with conviction that it hit a jackpot to malign an institution of repute in the name of politics.
“Simply put, the Lagos State House of Assembly does not have any such funds. The Assembly does not embark on constituency projects. Instead, once every year, the House holds stakeholders’ meetings simultaneously across the state where constituents have the opportunity to tell the lawmakers their expectations and make requests for the betterment of the state.
“These requests and expectations are compiled and sent to the executive arm of government for consideration as inputs in subsequent budgets. If this is what the group takes as constituency intervention or project funds, we are sure this explanation has given the required education, moreover, it is common knowledge that it is the responsibility of the Executive arm to execute such projects,” the earlier statement by Ogundipe read.
Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
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