Lagos enhances land administration process.

Lagos enhances land administration process.

As part of the strategy to enhance seamless and integrated land administration processes, the Lagos State Government has introduced the ‘Aumentum’ Land Administration – Automation process.

The Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr. Kamar Olowoshago, said this in a statement.

Olowoshago explained that the Aumentum Solution as a digitized process, allows government to automate Land record management and facilitates the registration of property transactions in a more chronological, controlled and transparent manner.

He pointed out that the digital invention simplifies the way the state government manages Land information and Property tax revenue.

According to the Permanent Secretary, “the State Government has joined the league of global pacesetters by complying with a technology- driven Land administration process.”

 He affirmed that by deploying the Aumentum Land Administration solution as a reliable tool to customize and streamline its business workflow process, the state is assured of higher productivity, enhanced revenue generation, security of documents, improved and smarter customer-service delivery.

Stating that the Bureau has entrenched a culture of excellence with prompt technology-driven and efficient customer-centric service delivery, the Permanent Secretary acknowledged that ‘Land Administration in Lagos State has transversed over several decades and stages in its journey towards integrating technology that is all encompassing and sustainable.”

He traced the trajectory from the implementation of the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) in 2013 to the electronic Certificate of occupancy in 2014 and then to the integrated Land Administration- Automation process introduced in 2019. He noted that land administration in the state has evolved to provide unsurmountable standard in land management across the nation.

He lauded the administration of Babajide Sanwo Olu for taking bold steps in this regard.

“ Thanks to Mr. Governor, our processes which were cumbersome and time consuming before the automation have now become more efficient and cost effective.

“Formerly, directorates operated in silos with operation of the open filling system which exposed documents to insecurity, forgery and other forms of mismanagement,” he said. 

Olowoshago further explained that the transformation involves the movement of files from the three main directorate repositories to the digitization project campus, preliminary sorting of files into government schemes and private properties, sorting of private property file into transaction files across 20 local government areas of the state, merging of ‘root title’ processing files with subsequent transaction as encumbered and unbinding of Titles and Deeds from registered volumes for chronological sorting.

Other aspects of the process, he said, includes merging of titles with subsequent Deeds and pre-requisite merged files, encapsulated into property folders as authenticated by the Registrar of Titles, dispatch of authenticated property folders to Technical partners for Digitization and automation; and receipt of digitized, concluded property folders for archival in designated locations.

He added that to speed up the digitisation process, the Bureau engaged about a hundred ad-hoc Staff to discharge the enormous assignment of transforming manual documents which initially existed in disjointed silos into digital forms.

 “These team of highly talented and skilled youths have over time also assisted in actualizing the hybrid GO-LIVE to meet the dire need of our esteemed customers on stipulated timelines,” he said .

Olowoshago said that the herculean transformation of manual paper documentation and archival of records has over the period under review transited and metamorphosed into a digital workflow machine, encapsulating and streamlining Property documents for improved customer-service delivery experience and enhanced revenue generation.

Appraising the relevance of adopting ‘Aumentum’ to Land Administration, the Permanent Secretary further said that the new automation system which provides a powerful solution that can be easily customized for any land- related business process has simultaneously transformed over 250 parcels of land in Lagos Metropolis with historical transactional records from paper forms through an herculean manual process to digital form, adding that the transaction turn-around time was shortened thereby reducing operational costs.

Pointing out some key features of the Automated business process, Olowoshago stated that the service which can be accessed via: landonline.lagos.gov.ng is designed to provide a secure shopping cart experience with data analysis that will give customers opportunity to track application progress, make comments and receive immediate feedbacks on complaints.

“The introduction of the digital automated process has also encouraged collaboration and content- sharing within Government Agencies by the creation of a One-Stop-Shop enquiry to facilitate unhindered access and an end-to-end- Land Administration platform that is sustainable and productive thereby reducing the silos of information existing across Ministries, Departments and Agencies,” he said.

While confirming that the technological leap is in compliance with Government’s Agenda of “Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy” the Permanent Secretary, emphasized that the new system will support the compartmentalisation of the Bureau business processes and reduce human interface.

Ogun partners UK govt on public transportation.

Ogun partners UK govt on public transportation.

Ogun State Government and the United Kingdom government have partnered to develop public transportation infrastructure in the state.

Representing the Ogun is the Ministry of Transportation while the United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (UKFCDO) and the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF) are counterpart partners.

They met at the Ministry of Transportation head office in Abeokuta, with representatives present virtually and physically.

Ogun Commissioner for Transportation Gbenga Dairo, an engineer, said: “Our state is under pressure from rapid urbanization, particularly in the South, where unplanned urban development is being experienced due to the spill-over of the Lagos Mega City. The greater part of our urban population is now concentrated in this region, leading to a decrease in service provision, and infrastructure, and a lack of efficient transportation systems for the sprawling and scattered population. These issues are particularly evident along the Lagos-Ibadan corridor, resulting in inefficient, low-quality strip development alongside main arterial routes, including the A5 Lagos – Abeokuta Expressway, E1 Lagos – Ibadan Expressway, and A1 Ikorodu – Sagamu Road. contributing to increased congestion along these routes, ever-increasing journey times, and environmental degradation. From the onset of the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun, public transportation has received the necessary critical evaluation to seek sustainable solutions and with this partnership, we are set to correct the errors of the past”.

The partnership will see the FCDO and UKNIAF providing necessary advisory to the MoT especially in the conceptualization, design, and execution of environment-friendly, sustainable modern transportation infrastructure to meet the rapidly growing needs of the population. This will involve introducing Bus Mass Transit equipment, operations, and infrastructure along the identified routes and corridors. These discussions, ongoing since 2020 were partly responsible for Ogun State being the first state in Nigeria to acquire and deploy converted CNG mass transit buses that were launched on Monday 30th October by Governor Dapo Abiodun.

The state government had adopted alternative energy means of public transport as a critical component of the transport strategy well before the crises created by the removal of petrol subsidy by the federal government in May this year.

Lead consultant to UKFCDO/UKNIAF, Mr. Kayode Khalidson revealed that as part of the working agreement, four highly skilled, locally sourced consultants will be embedded in the MoT to work with the ministry’s technocrats in a collaboration that is expected to ensure the achievement of set goals and objectives.

This collaboration will eventually also lead to the establishment of a full-fledged Transport Authority that will oversee the implementation of the government’s transportation imperatives for Ogun State.

President Tinubu orders massive rehabilitation of roads.

President Tinubu orders massive rehabilitation of roads.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a massive rehabilitation of dilapidated roads across the country, it emerged on Monday.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi said President Tinubu is aware of the state of the Nigerian road infrastructure which he inherited on May 29, 2023, saying that he has directed that rehabilitation work commence immediately on the roads for easier and smoother movement of men and goods to save quality man hour lost to the poor state of the roads.

Some of the roads include the Makurdi-Nsukka 9th Mile Road, East West Road, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Benin bypass road, collapsed bridges of Enugu- Port Harcourt road, collapsed bridges of Shandam-Plateau State, Abuja-Kaduna- Zaria-Kano road and Gombe- Bauchi among several others. 

Umahi, in a statement on Monday noted that despite inheriting N6 trillion deficit in road infrastructure, President Tinubu is not complaining but rather determined to confront the challenge headlong.

He said besides practical steps taken since assumption of office in May, President Tinubu has approved a 2023 Supplementary budget of ₦300b for the Ministry of Works comprising ₦100b for immediate palliative works in 36 States and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and ₦200b for continuation of most of the inherited ongoing projects and very few new but critical road projects.

According to him, the President has not only given specific directives to the Ministry on how to accomplish the execution of the project within the given time frame, but he has also encouraged the public to perform their civic responsibility by following their money through supervision of the projects with appropriate feedback to the government.

He said: “Without prejudice to all the good efforts of the past administration on road infrastructure development which they tackled within the limit of their resources, the work to be done to change the ugly state of our roads is quite enormous.

“Mr. President is not complaining of the challenges he inherited in nearly all sectors of the economy, especially as it concerns our road infrastructure, but he is quite courageous as he had promised to tackle the problems head-on which he has started to do not minding the debt burden inherited especially the funding gap of over ₦6 trillion from most of the inherited on-going road projects.

“Mr. President has since reeled out plans of commitment, consistence, and innovations towards actualizing a sustainable road infrastructure development throughout the country. 

“He has just approved a 2023 Supplementary budget of ₦300B for the Ministry of Works comprising of ₦100B for immediate palliative works in 36 States and FCT and ₦200B for the continuation of most of the inherited ongoing projects and very few new but critical road projects.

“Mr. President has directed that works in those palliative projects must commence before 1st December 2023, while observing all due process. 

“On the sections being frequently complained of by the public in all regions of the North and South of the country, Mr. President has equally isolated them and directed immediate actions on them and indeed work has started on all such roads”. 

Ushering in a new era of innovative road construction, Umahi is enlisting the public’s help, urging Nigerians to actively participate in supervising projects and providing constructive feedback, saying, “The public can crosscheck our claims and report back to us

“The engagements of the Federal Ministry of Works will not be limited to these isolatedly reported cases but shall be holistic in our approach through these approved palliative measures and the interventions of FERMA in all the 36 States and FCT also.

“The public is hereby requested to assist the Federal Ministry of Works and FERMA by supervising the contractors that will be engaged in these palliative works and indeed all ongoing projects of the Federal Ministry of Works and FERMA. 

“It is the right of every Nigerian to have value for their money deployed to the road infrastructure sector and therefore must show both interest and passion in all the ongoing projects by the Federal Ministry of Works and FERMA, and indeed all projects of the Federal, State and Local governments. 

“All poorly constructed roads should be photographed and reported immediately to the following contacts: 08030986263, 08037086137, or 08106423197; showing the name of the contractor, the location and type of contract and defects observed. 

“The Federal Ministry of Works will document such reports, verify and take effective action to correct such infractions. 

“The Federal Ministry of Works shall also periodically recognize publicly those who made such reports that are genuine in a public engagement forum to be hosted quarterly by the Federal Ministry of Works and will sanction such erring contractors publicly too”.      

Saying that the Ministry is gearing up for a revolutionary change in project supervision, effective December 1, 2023, the Minister warned, “All concerned are HEREBY put on NOTICE as the Ministry will not spare anyone found culpable in his or her assignment. 

“The Director of Works of the 36 States and FCT and FERMA have been directed to audit all projects in their States and FCT especially equipment on and off sites with their pictures, personnel of contractors, status of all projects including financial status (contract sum, date of award, period of construction and time table, amount paid, challenges, % of work completion, augmentation of project if any, VOP claims etc). 

“This assignment must be completed before 30th November 2023. Note that this directive was given since the past two months”.

Umahi, commending President Tinubu’s purposeful leadership, assured Nigerians of the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to delivering on its mandate. “On the part of the staff of the Federal Ministry of Works, I pledge to strictly and Godly follow the divine Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President,” he added, promising continued support for the President’s efforts in road infrastructure development.

Appeal Court sacks Kaduna Speaker.

Appeal Court sacks Kaduna Speaker.

The Appeal Court Abuja Division has nullified the election of Kaduna Speaker Hon Yusuf Dahiru Liman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Makera Constituency.

The Court ordered a rerun in five polling units following the petition of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Hon Solomon Nuhu Katuka and the PDP.

The Kaduna Assembly Election Petition Tribunal on September 30 nullified the election of Liman, and ordered a rerun in 42 polling units, 37 in Makera ward, two in Barnawa ward, one in Kakuri Gwari ward, one in Television ward and one in Kakuri Hausa ward.

Dissatisfied with the ruling of the Tribunal, APC and Dahiru Liman filed an appeal against the judgement of the Tribunal while they also filed a cross appeal seeking for outright declaration.

The Appeal Court judgement delivered by Justice O. O Adejumo, Justice A .O Oyetula and Justice P. A Obiora on Friday dismissed the appeal filed by the APC and Liman, sacking the Speaker and ordered a rerun in five polling units of Barnawa wards PU 005 and PU 009, Kakuri Gwari ward PU 006, Television ward PU 022 and Kakuri Hausa ward PU 045. 

The votes as they stand were APC 17,470 and PDP 17,088 votes.

The election was nullified on the margin of lead, 382 which was less than the number of PVC collected in the above polling units

Ekiti Knowledge Zone Gets AFDB’s $80 million Investment Loan.

Ekiti Knowledge Zone Gets AFDB’s $80 million Investment Loan.

With $80M in AfDB financing, Ekiti Knowledge Zone will attract private investment into the digital and knowledge economy sectors of Nigeria’s Ekiti state and its neighbours

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved an $80 million loan to finance the Ekiti Knowledge Zone project in Nigeria. The Zone seeks to promote digital innovation and entrepreneurship, generate 26,000 jobs, and contribute some $14 million annually in net economic benefits.

The Ekiti Knowledge Zone is a federal government-backed and state-led Special Economic Zone with fiscal incentives to attract private sector investment in the digital technology and knowledge economy value chains.

The project will attract technology firms and investors, including anchor investors from the private sector, to form part of a Special Purpose Vehicle that allows multiple investors to pool financing. This structure will enable investors to manage the operations of the Zone.

The project also aims to attract businesses, including tech start-ups, business process outsourcing firms, fabrication and production companies, research institutes and corporate back-office operations, to locate in the Zone.

The Ekiti Knowledge Zone’s incubator programme will support promising start-ups with pre-seed and seed funding. It will also offer skills-enhancement training in information and communication technology targeting the youth in Ekiti and neighbouring states.

The Ekiti Knowledge Zone was conferred “a free zone” status by the Federal Government under the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority Act in April 2023. It will thus offer various incentives for private investors, including: free repatriation of capital, profits and dividends by foreign investors, rent-free land during the construction phase, tax holidays, waivers on import and export duties, and expatriate quotas for companies operating in the Zone.

 

The total project cost is estimated at $94.8 million; the Ekiti State government is providing $14.8 million in counterpart funding. The Bank’s financing will leverage other development partners’ programmes in the state.

Lamin Barrow, Bank Group Director General of the Nigeria Country Department, said: “The Ekiti Knowledge Zone Project design responds to the requirements of technology firms and prospective investors as indicated during the preparation phase, lessons learnt from similar Bank-financed projects such as the Cabo Verde and Senegal technology parks, and drew insights from good practices of similar initiatives in the continent and globally.”

The Bank’s financing will support the development of world-class infrastructure, including a 20-hectare green technology park and such services infrastructure as roads, electricity, water supply and wastewater treatment facilities. The project will provide information and communication technology training to youth, nurture innovation and enhance entrepreneurial skills.

The project also advances government-enabling policies and establishment of the Ekiti State Innovation Fund to provide pre-seed and early growth stage funding to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment. The Fund is expected to mobilize investments into more than 50 seed and early growth start-ups.

The Ekiti Knowledge Zone targets more than 19,000 youth and seeks to attract investment commitments from at least fifteen firms with the potential to generate revenues of about $10.8 million.

The African Development Bank’s active portfolio in Nigeria comprises 48 operations valued at $4.4 billion. These include 24 public sector projects amounting to $2.5 billion and 24 private sector operations valued at $1.9 billion.

Court jails 33 internet fraudsters in Oyo, Ogun.

Court jails 33 internet fraudsters in Oyo, Ogun.

The Ibadan zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentencing of 33 internet fraudsters to various jail terms.

The convicts were jailed by Justices Ladiran Akintola, Adebukola Olajide, and M.O. Ishola of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan; Justice B.B. Adebowale of the Ogun State High Court sitting in Abeokuta and Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo state.

They were arraigned on one-count separate charges bordering on cybercrimes.

They are: Amos Temitope Taiwo, Fatai Habeeb Mayowa, Lateef Aremu, Abiona Itunuoluwa Solomon, Olamijulo Abiodun Kayode, Abulele Endurance Ogbemudia, Owolade Shamsudeen Ayoola, Odesanya Micheal Adedimeji, Oyedele Isreal Sunday, John Timileyin Olasupo, Toriola Yusuf Alabi, Nafiu Wariz Ayomide, Adewale Adeyemi Fasasi Mumeen, Azeez Faruk Olanrewaju, Olamilekan Samuel Olonitola, Okeke Hycent Obinna, Quzeem Opeyemi Tajudeen, Theophilus Iroboudu Onoapor and Olanrewaju Muhammed Opeyemi.

Others are: Oladokun Abeeb Olaide, Precious Akinwale Balogun, Adebari Sodiq Wemimo, Ogunleye Ridwan Babatunde, Akinrinola Emmanuel Pelumi, Odigwe Victory Okwise, Seyitan David Ojo, Oyinwola Micheal Olakunle, Adewale Ibrahim Adegoke, Odunton Durojaiye Oluwaseyi, Opaleye Ramadan Olanrewaju, Tolulope Adedoyin Asekoni, Oyewole Gideon David and Asogbon Emmanuel Tobiloba.

The lone-count separate charge reads: “That you, Opaleye Ramadan Olanrewaju ‘M’ on or about 4th February 2020, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud one Micheal via your Instagram account Catherine falsely represented yourself as Catherine a white woman from the United States of America which representation you knew to be false, thereby committed the offence of Personation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”

The commission’s head of media and publicity, Dele Oyewale in a statement said all the suspects pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to them.

Consequently, prosecution counsel tendered facts of the cases and indicting documents before the courts. They also prayed the courts to convict and sentence the defendants as charged.

He added that the Justices, having listened to the prayers of both parties, convicted and sentenced the defendants accordingly.

Taiwo was sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment, Olasupo and Babatunde to a one-year jail term each. Also, Aremu, Solomon, Adedimeji, Sunday, Alabi, Ayomide, Mumeen, Olanrewaju, Olonitola, Obinna, Tajudeen, Onoapor, Opeyemi, Wemimo, Pelumi, Okwise, Olakunle, Adegoke, Oluwaseyi, Olanrewaju, Asekoni, David and Tobiloba bagged six months community service each.

Furthermore, Mayowa was sentenced to eight months of community service while Kayode, Ogbemudia, Olaide, Balogun, and Ojo bagged three months of community service each and Ayoola to two months of community service.

The courts ordered that the convicts restitute their various victims, and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria including eight exotic vehicles.

All 33 convicts started their journey to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested in various locations in Oyo and Ogun states by operatives of the EFCC.

Further investigations showed that they were involved in different cases of internet-related crimes. They were subsequently charged to court and convicted.

Tinubu will present 2024 budget to NASS in few days, says Speaker Abbas.

Tinubu will present 2024 budget to NASS in few days, says Speaker Abbas.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen on Monday, November 27, dropped a hint that the 2024 budget will be presented to a joint session of the National Assembly in the next few days.

Although he was not specific on when the budget will be presented, the Speaker told Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of standing committees of the House that they must consider and finalise the budget within two weeks without compromising the integrity of the process through or engaging in haphazard and superficial consideration.

Speaking at a one-day retreat for chairmen and deputy chairmen of standing committees of the House, the speaker reminded them that committees play a crucial role in the legislative process and have been called the ‘engine room’ of the parliament, adding that through committees, Members develop subject matter expertise and undertake more detailed review and scrutiny of Bills and other government policies.

He said the House will convene a budget town hall meeting to enable the Nigerian people to participate and make input into the 2024 budget, adding that it will be the first time such an engagement is planned at the national level.

He said further that the House was committed to greater and more transparent engagement with the public as a necessary step towards reducing suspicion, building trust, and generating support for the work of the National Assembly.

He reminded the Committee Chairmen and their deputies that the legislature was central to the nation’s democracy, stressing that a strong House was integral to ensuring that governance is conducted in an open, accountable, and representative manner.

He said: “As chairmen and deputy chairmen of various committees, we must ensure that the House delivers on its Legislative Agenda. All Committees should study the relevant sections of the Agenda and incorporate them into their work plans. You are encouraged to rely on the Agenda and generate Bills, Motions and other legislative interventions.

“The success of the Agenda hinges on the efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity of our committees. In order to encourage compliance, we established the Committee on Monitoring and Evaluation of Standing and Ad-hoc Committees for the first time in the history of the Nigerian legislature. Its mandate is to ensure that all Committees live up to their mandates and operate effectively.

“The Committee will submit regular reports to the House and Leadership on the activities of all committees. I wish to encourage Committees to operate as ‘teams, consisting of chairmen, deputies, and all their members, not just a few individuals. To be effective, Committees must hold regular meetings, develop and adhere to annual work plans, report regularly, and engage with the public. However, the general effectiveness of Committees is contingent on a clear understanding of your mandate and objectives.

He said the committees must avoid conflict as much as possible and promote synergy, adding that in the past, Committees have functioned in silos resulting in friction and general inefficiency. I call on all Chairmen and deputies to provide robust leadership and coordination.

According to him, this involves fostering teamwork, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring that all members contribute meaningfully to the committee’s work, adding that the House cannot afford individual Public Hearings on all Private Member Bills due to the increased number of committees.

He stressed the need for transparency and accountability which he said are fundamental principles that must underpin committee activities while embracing professionalism, diligence, and ethical conduct in discharging their responsibilities.

He told them that in interfacing with MDAs and conducting oversight, their actions should be guided by integrity, impartiality, and a commitment to serving the public good, by upholding these values, we can foster public confidence in the legislature.

He said further that committees have contributed in no small measure to improving accountability through its oversight function, adding that the National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives, has progressively exercised its powers to ensure that the executive is always answerable to the Nigerian people.

He lamented that despite the growing assertiveness of the Nigerian legislature and its centrality in promoting good governance, Committees face several challenges that impede their overall effectiveness, including the high turnover rate and its attendant effect on legislative expertise.

He said: “For instance, the 10th House of Representatives has recorded the highest attrition rate since the return to democracy in 1999. As a result, critical knowledge and expertise have been lost in the process.

“Other factors that limit the effectiveness of our Committees include insufficient resources, particularly inadequate funding, staffing, and resources, all of which limit their ability to conduct thorough analysis and research. Despite the widely held belief, the House and its Committees are grossly underfunded, making it nearly impossible for them to function optimally.

“Anyone familiar with the inner workings of the legislature knows the quantum of resources required to undertake robust oversight adequately, hire experts and consultants, undertake inspection visits, and draft quality legislations. Ironically, while Nigerians expect the best representation from the National Assembly and its Members, they do not always understand that this is only possible through adequate funding.”