Lagos State Government has disclosed plans to review laws on the ease of doing business.
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), who disclosed this, yesterday, during the pre-Justice sector reform summit briefing, said that the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration is focused on ensuring that investment-friendly laws are enacted.
He said the summit becomes necessary to have a justice system that works for all to suit the modern-day practice.
According to him, the summit aimed to address the challenges facing the justice system in the state.
He emphasised that having an efficient justice system would attract investors’ confidence and boost the economy of the state.
To tackle these issues, the Lagos State government, through the Ministry of Justice, is organising a Justice Reform Summit with the theme: “Enhancing the Administration of Justice for Economic Growth, Investment Protection, and Security in Lagos State on May 27 and 28, 2024.
Also, in her address, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Titilayo Shitta-Bey, urged all stakeholders to participate and contribute their quota during the summit to enable the justice sector to address various challenges hindering effective justice system in the state.
Meanwhile, the state government, yesterday, said that 82 lives were lost and property worth N25.37 billion got damaged during fire incidents in the state last year.
The state’s Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Olugbenga Oyerinde, gave the hint during the ongoing yearly media briefing to mark the first year of second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in office.
Oyerinde said that 2,537 emergency calls were received, including 1,627 fire calls, 191 rescue calls, 93 salvage calls, and four explosions, alongside 607 false alarms.
He said: “This highlighted the critical need for increased awareness of fire safety measures to combat the impact of negligence and non-compliance with safety codes.”
“Despite the challenges, the agency successfully rescued 376 victims, preserving an estimated property worth of N152.22 billion, albeit with a regrettable loss of 82 casualties and N25.37 billion property damage.
“Non-emergency activities conducted during the year included the inspection of 7,819 facilities, issuance of fire safety compliance certificates to 5,220 facilities, issuance of 92 fire reports upon request, and a total of 364 advocacy initiatives, among other endeavours.
“In line with efforts to bolster infrastructure, three new fire stations are nearing completion in Ijegun-Egba, Satellite Town, and Ijede, while an ultramodern workshop at the Alausa headquarters is almost completed to cater for the agency’s fleet maintenance needs.
“Additionally, land spaces have been identified for the development of additional fire stations in Ibeji-Lekki and Ifako-Ijaiye.”
Similarly, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor, Dr Afolabi Tajudeen, said that about N1 billion was disbursed to 1,681 vulnerable residents that asked for financial assistance under the Sanwo-Olu Listens programme.
Tajudeen added that his agency would partner with the state’s lawmakers at the Senate and House of Representatives to ensure the Lagos Special Status Bill is passed and the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) are officially approved as local councils.
