By Obinna Amaobi
Lagos State Energy and Mineral Resources Commissioner, Olalere Odusote, said on Friday, that the state had not received any derivation fund since it became an oil producing state in 2018.
Odusote made the disclosure during a question and answer segment of the 2020 Badagry Youth Oil and Gas Conference, organized by the ministry.
The theme of the conference is: “Youths Engagement in Oil and Gas Producing Area As a Panacea to Community Development”.
According to him, Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Co. started oil exploration in Badagry communities two years ago (2018) before the present administration.
“Up till now, nobody in Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has calculated the amount due as derivation fund to Lagos State,” he said.
“From 2018 till date, I can tell you categorically that Lagos State has not received a single dime from the fund.”
The commissioner promised report the issue of multiple check points along the Agbara-Seme expressway to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for necessary action.
He also assured Badagry youths that the state government would complete the Mile 2-Okokomaiko section of the expressway in the next two years.
He said: “We are going to do everything that we have promised so that Badagry will benefit from being a host community.
“Beyond that, we are going to see that Badagry gets what is due to it from the state. We expect the people to take advantage of the state’s skill acquisition programme to improve themselves and contribute to the economy.”
Odusote appealed to the youths to allow Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Co. execute its Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) programme, the Aje Micro Credit Scheme, which was established to grant soft loans for the people of Badagry.
“The company has set up the micro credit scheme to give out soft loans to the people of nine communities with zero interest. I don’t see any problem with the oil company. I think it has been a good citizen and I am sure it will fulfill these promises,” he said.
Meanwhile, the state government has announced its plans to close the Jonathan Coker axis of Ifako-Ijaiye, on Saturday, for installation of Level Crossing Rubber Panels by the contractor handling the Lagos-Ibadan rail project.
It added that the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) would also commence demolition of parts of the existing Costain bridge and hoist the beams of the new bridge.
Making the announcement, on Thursday, the state Ministry of Transportation said in a statement, that the road closure and bridge demolition would facilitate the completion of the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail line.
“In line with the Nigerian Railway Modernisation Project (Lagos-Ibadan section) with extension to Lagos port at Apapa, the Lagos State Government will be closing Jonathan Coker axis on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. the next day.
“This is to give room for the installation of Level Crossing Rubber Panels by the contractor handling the project.
“Alternative routes have been provided for road users to utilise during the construction.
“Motorists plying Jonathan Coker axis will be diverted to Ashade Underpass, Adejobi axis of Agege Motor Road and Toyin Crossing, to ensure motorists reach their various destinations with ease,” the statement said.
On the old Costain bridge demolition, it said motorists inbound Costain would be diverted temporarily to the new bridge on the left-hand side, to free the old bridge of traffic.
“Road users are advised to comply with traffic directions to minimise inconvenience in movement.
“The closure has been slated at this time to ensure there is a smooth and uninterrupted flow of work on the rail tracks.
“Lagos State Government is hereby appealing to residents of the state, especially motorists that ply these corridors to bear the pains,” it said
According to the statement, the project is aimed at achieving seamless multi-modal transport system that will meet the transportation needs of a larger population
