centre for Rights and Grassroots Initiatives
Tuesday 22 April 2014
centre for Rights and Grassroots Initiatives: ROAD CONSTRUCTION, TRAFFIC AND SAFETY CONCERNS ON ...
centre for Rights and Grassroots Initiatives: ROAD CONSTRUCTION, TRAFFIC AND SAFETY CONCERNS ON ...: ROAD CONSTRUCTION, TRAFFIC AND SAFETY CONCERNS ON NIGERIAN ROADS Traffic Gridlock on the Lagos Ibadan Expressway The economic, soci...
ROAD CONSTRUCTION, TRAFFIC AND SAFETY CONCERNS ON NIGERIAN ROADS
ROAD CONSTRUCTION, TRAFFIC AND SAFETY CONCERNS ON NIGERIAN ROADS
Traffic Gridlock on the Lagos Ibadan Expressway |
The economic, social and
political importance of roads to the commerce and well being of a society
cannot be over-emphasized and this informs why governments at various levels
must make it a priority in order to ameliorate the human condition.
However, one disturbing and
negative trend that one has discovered about road construction in Nigeria is
that there is little or no consideration for the health and safety of road
users. By this I mean that, when governments are carrying out this societal and
constitutional responsibility, the primary focus seems to be on the road while
neglecting the convenience of the users which should not be the case.
Although, one’s observation on
this matter can still be subjected to further analysis and debate, but from the
way and manner construction companies conduct their affairs when undertaking
repairs of our roads, it doesn’t seem as if they have any consideration for the
economy and health of road users as their management of the roads has caused negligence
or is it oversight that has resulted in avoidable accidents which have claimed
lives, damaged limbs and destroyed properties inestimable in value.
What one observed is that the perennial
gridlock on this road just like others undergoing reconstruction which is
economically threatening and health damaging are in most cases caused by the
measures of the construction company barricading the roads at the wrong points,
stopping vehicles indiscriminately on the road for construction vehicles to
move materials from one location to another and dangerous u turn points
created. The questions that came to one’s mind were, is there no traffic and
safety concerns on a road being reconstructed? In whose interest are the roads
being reconstructed, is It for man or vice versa?
A recent instance that informed
this write up was my experience on the Lagos Ibadan expressway which is undergoing
reconstruction when I travelled out of Lagos. Infact, the psychological trauma
one goes through when you think about the traffic gridlock that has become a
regular occurrence on the road is better imagined. A journey from Lagos to
Ibadan which normally takes 1 hour 30
minutes now extends to between 5 to 6 hours as a result of traffic gridlock caused
by lack of considerations for economic interest and health of the commuting public
and vehicles by the untrained “emergency” traffic officers of the construction
companies.
On about three occasions in the
last one month, just like some other persons, I have had to make my journeys
back into Lagos via the long distance and tortuous Sagamu Ikorodu road as a
result of the traffic gridlock on Lagos Ibadan expressway which one noticed
from the Sagamu interchange axis. Last week Thursday 17th April
2014, I made a trip out of Lagos and my experience on this road was anything
but harrowing both ways, I mean my going out of town and coming in. I spent
over 4 hours commuting between Redeemed Christian Church of God camp ground and
some 500 meters to Sagamu interchange as a result of the mismanagement and ignorance
about traffic and safety issues by road construction company’s “traffic”
workers.
It is in this vein that one would
like to advocate that a national policy be put in place whereby state safety
and traffic officers be assigned officially to road construction companies
undertaken repairs of our roads at the federal, state and local government
levels to take into consideration not only the road interest but also the
health and economy of the people and society in the long run.
One would also like to advocate
that this national policy should mandate road construction companies in Nigeria
to have functional and resourceful safety and traffic departments whose
personnel should be trained and updated regularly about modern traffic control
and safety methods by statutory state agencies.
Sunday 30 March 2014
centre for Rights and Grassroots Initiatives: THE FINANCIAL REPORTING COUNCIL OF NIGERIA (FRCN) ...
centre for Rights and Grassroots Initiatives: THE FINANCIAL REPORTING COUNCIL OF NIGERIA (FRCN) ...: 30 st March, 2014 THE FINANCIAL REPORTING COUNCIL OF NIGERIA (FRCN) INVESTIGATIVE PANEL SITTING AS A NEGATION OF THE PRINCIPLE O...
THE FINANCIAL REPORTING COUNCIL OF NIGERIA (FRCN) INVESTIGATIVE PANEL SITTING AS A NEGATION OF THE PRINCIPLE OF JUSTICE
30st
March, 2014
THE FINANCIAL
REPORTING COUNCIL OF NIGERIA (FRCN) INVESTIGATIVE PANEL SITTING AS A NEGATION
OF THE PRINCIPLE OF JUSTICE
Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (Ex CBN Governor) |
Recently
on February 21, 2014 to be precise, the Nigerian public space was jolted with
the sack from office of the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN) Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi by President Goodluck Jonathan following the
recommendations by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), which
accused the CBN, under his leadership, of financial recklessness.
The
recommendations followed the Council’s review of Mr. Sanusi’s response to its
report on the audited financial statement of the CBN for the year ended
December 2012 and other related issues, which it described as unsatisfactory
and ever since a lot of water has passed under the bridge ranging from
commendations, condemnations and even a law suit is pending in court on the
matter.
However
only last week, the public consciousness was aroused once again with
advertorials in some national dailies about (FRCN) investigative panel
invitations to Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and others to in their words, answer
questions on some aspects of his tenure between 2011 and 2012.
As
a firm believer in the much touted doctrine of respect for rule of law and due
process which is crucial for the sustenance of societal peace, stability and
progress but which has been observed more in speech than in actions by
successive governments, it behooves on us as stakeholders in the Nigeria
project to try and find out what the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria
(FRCN) stands for and its statutory functions due to the fact that some public
commentators have inundated us with the reality that the agency has gone
outside its statutory functions as authorized by law?
On
18 May 2011, the Senate passed the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Bill,
which repealed the Nigerian Accounting Standards Board Act and replaced it with
a new set of rules. The Financial Reporting Council Bill was signed into law on
20 July 2011.
The
FRCN according to its Act No. 6, 2011 is responsible for, among other things,
developing and publishing accounting and financial reporting standards to be
observed in the preparation of financial statements of public entities in
Nigeria; and for related matters.
The
Council’s main objects, as defined in the FRC Act, are to:
protect
investors and other stakeholders interest
give
guidance on issues relating to financial reporting and corporate governance to
professional, institutional and regulatory bodies in Nigeria
ensure
good corporate governance practices in the public and private sectors of the
Nigerian economy
ensure
accuracy and reliability of financial reports and corporate disclosures,
pursuant to the various laws and regulations currently in existence in Nigeria
harmonise
activities of relevant professional and regulatory bodies as relating to
corporate governance and financial reporting.
promote
the highest standards among auditors and other professionals engaged in the
financial reporting process.
enhance
the credibility of financial reporting; and
improve
the quality of accountancy and audit services, actuarial, valuation and
corporate governance standards.
From
the statutory functions of the council itemized above after our search, one is
at a loss as to where the council derived the powers to investigate financial
recklessness in a public organization and so we wonder whose interest the
council is serving by allowing itself to be used to serve other purpose at the
expense of good corporate governance practices in the Nigerian economy and
justice?
For
the umpteenth time, it is important to emphasize that the major function of the
Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) among others is in developing and
publishing accounting and financial reporting standards to be observed in the
preparation of financial statements of public entities in Nigeria; and for
related matters. It is a standard setting and advisory body on observing
standards just like ICAN, COREN and other professional standard setting bodies.
Therefore
the present assignment being carried out by the Financial Reporting Council of
Nigeria (FRCN) in indicting a public entity of financial recklessness is
illegal, null and unconstitutional and it is high time Nigerians place public
institutions like this under close watch lest they be used to commit illegality
as in the present scenario.
The
power to investigate the financial records of public entities at all levels is
constitutionally outside the purview of the financial reporting council of
Nigeria and so we wonder whose agenda it is being used to prosecute? Definitely
not our national interest.
Again,
by inviting Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to appear before its investigative
panel to give account of his stewardship when the man in question has already
been sacked based on its recommendations is not only unconstitutional and a
negation of the principle of justice but is also an attempt to use back door tactics
to justify illegality, in other words, it is akin to putting the cart before
the horse and we all know the implication.
The
illegality and desperation of the FRCN to nail Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi at
all cost was even taken further to a ridiculous height when this same agency
invited persons who are standing trial in court of competent jurisdiction for
abuse of public trust but which it didn’t observe to implicate then if it were
a serious body to come and testify at its illegal sitting, oh, what an
absurdity and show of shame.
One
cannot but commend Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi for taking the courageous and
constitutional step of ignoring the illegal invitation by the FRCN
investigative panel, otherwise he would have given legitimacy to what is
nothing but a charade and a hatchet job by a misguided and an unserious agency
of the state which has lost focus of its constitutional duty.
One
would therefore like to use this medium to admonish the management of the
Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and its instigators to take heed and
retrace their unholy steps because the sine qua non for a peaceful, orderly and
good corporate governance practices in the Nigerian economy is justice and
whatever we do today or allow ourselves to be manipulated to do against our
conscience and constitutional functions becomes history tomorrow and posterity
will judge appropriately.
A
word is enough for the wise!
Friday 14 March 2014
centre for Rights and Grassroots Initiatives: LAGOS STATE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORTATION VISITS...
centre for Rights and Grassroots Initiatives: LAGOS STATE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORTATION VISITS...: LAGOS STATE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORTATION VISITS FESTAC TOWN BOAT TRAGEDY SITE: Images from Festac town boat tragedy site Informatio...
LAGOS STATE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORTATION VISITS FESTAC TOWN BOAT TRAGEDY SITE:
LAGOS STATE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORTATION VISITS FESTAC TOWN BOAT TRAGEDY SITE:
Information just coming in has it that the Lagos State Commissioner for transportation Comrade Kayode Opeifa, the Managing Director Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) Mr. Olayinka Marinho and the executive Chairman Amuwo Odofin Local government Comrade Ayodele Adewale will this morning Friday 14th March 2014 visit the site of the Festac town boat tragedy.
Here's wishing and praying that the soul of the departed rest in perfect peace and as well that the Almighty grant the families of the bereaved, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Please stay tuned as we will post pictures from the crash site.
Images from Festac town boat tragedy site |
Information just coming in has it that the Lagos State Commissioner for transportation Comrade Kayode Opeifa, the Managing Director Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) Mr. Olayinka Marinho and the executive Chairman Amuwo Odofin Local government Comrade Ayodele Adewale will this morning Friday 14th March 2014 visit the site of the Festac town boat tragedy.
Here's wishing and praying that the soul of the departed rest in perfect peace and as well that the Almighty grant the families of the bereaved, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Please stay tuned as we will post pictures from the crash site.
Wednesday 5 March 2014
centre for Rights and Grassroots Initiatives: NIGERIA, A COUNTRY IN PERPETUAL CRISIS
centre for Rights and Grassroots Initiatives: NIGERIA, A COUNTRY IN PERPETUAL CRISIS: NIGERIA, A COUNTRY IN PERPETUAL CRISIS Nigeria, a country in perpetual crisis Good day pals, I hope your day is going well? Just rumin...
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