Tag: Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has terminated the appointment of the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Bolaji Oreagba.

The dismissal of Oreagba was made known by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Olawale Musa, in a statement on Thursday.

He disclosed that Governor Sanwo-Olu has appointed Bakare-Oki Olalekan as the acting general manager of LASTMA with immediate effect.

Musa noted that the appointment of Bakare-Oki “is for better performance, eradicating incidences of misdemeanours among staffs and continued efficient/effective traffic management on Lagos roads.”

He said Bakare-Oki joined the Lagos State Public Service on April 25, 2000, and rose to the post of Deputy Director, Logistics and Engineering Department of LASTMA before his new appointment as acting general manager.

According to the statement, Bakare-Oki holds a masters degree in Transportation Planning and Management from the University of Lagos and has attended several capacity-building programmes on inter-modal traffic management systems locally and internationally.

The permanent secretary urged him “to justify Governor Sanwo-Olu’s confidence in his appointment by rising up to the occasion while bringing his wealth of experience to take the Agency to greater heights.”

Musa also conveyed the appreciation and gratitude of “Mr. Governor to the outgoing General Manager, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, for his commitment, dedication and meritorious service to the state.”

Thirty-four corporate organisations have been shut down by the Lagos State government for failing to remit Personal Income Taxes of their employees as well as non-remittance of Consumption Taxes, amounting to N356.12 million by operators in the hospitality sector, to the State government.

According to the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), some of these companies include: NTS Nigeria Ltd., Med-In Hospital & Pharma Services Ltd., Danvic Petroleum Int’l Ltd., Business Intelligence Technology, Avaya Nigeria Ltd., Gladstone Tech Ltd., Courier Plus Services Ltd., Kurioucity Ltd., Medilag Ventures Ltd., Future Oilfields, and Seven Six & Ten Limited.

Also, 23 hotels, restaurants, and event facilities were also closed for failure to deduct and remit Consumption taxes. These businesses include; Blitz Suites & Hotel, Offshoroomz Hotel, God’s Grace Hotel, De Orange Place Ltd., De Santos Hotel, Kentade Hotel Limited, Chamcee, Chelsea Suites, Falode Hotels, High Climax Hotel, Chez Moi Apartment, Excellence Hotel, Bereans Venture (Tantalizer Ebute Metta), La Avril Hotel & Suites, De Orange Place Ltd., Milaco Guest House, New World Inn, Model Motels Ltd, Rely Maritime Ltd, 4 Seasons Hotel, Dream Land Hotel, 343 North Restaurant and Lounge, and Jade Palace Chinese Restaurant.

The LIRS director of Legal Services, Mr. Seyi Alade, during  a state-wide tax law enforcement exercise conducted by the Service in Lagos on Monday, said that the tax liabilities of these companies and hotels amounted to more than N356.12 million, saying, their actions have caused the State government loss of revenue.

He explained that the agency had previously reduced its enforcement activities to promote voluntary compliance by taxpayers. However, he said, certain companies and hotels chose to engage in tax evasion, adding that the renewed enforcement activities of the Service are targeted at such companies, restaurants, hotels, and event centres.

Alade said that, “these companies deduct Personal Income taxes from their employees’ salaries at the end of each month, and charge consumption taxes on goods and services purchased by customers.

“Unfortunately, some unpatriotic firms choose to withhold these payments, illegally converting the funds for their own use.”

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State Governor, has opened the GAC Car Assembly Plant in Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu revealed that this partnership is a step towards greater industrialisation, more jobs, and technical training for the people of the state.

He wrote: “This partnership, born in the challenging days of the pandemic, has flourished, not only giving birth to the GAC Motor Nigeria CKD factory but also aiding the growth and expansion of our LAGRIDE project. These initiatives signify our commitment to progress, innovation, and the betterment of Lagos State. 

“The opening of this Vehicle Assembly Plant is a glowing emblem of our state’s openness to investments that foster job creation, skill development, wealth creation, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

“The ripple effect of this investment extends far beyond the automotive sector. It has ushered in a new dawn of employment, providing our industrious youths with well-deserved jobs, thereby significantly reducing unemployment in Lagos.”