65 on trial for kidnapping

by NEXT

Police in the Niger Delta have charged 65 people with kidnapping, robbery and oil theft, some of them believed to have been behind the abduction of 19 oil and construction workers.

The hostages, including seven expatriates and 12 Nigerians working for U.S. energy giant Exxon Mobil, London-listed oil explorer Afren and local construction firm Julius Berger, were freed last month.

The armed forces arrested the gang leader responsible and more than 60 of his followers -- presumed members of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) militant group -- a few weeks later.

Rita Inoma-Abbey, police spokeswoman for Rivers, one of the three main states in the Niger Delta, said on Wednesday more than 100 suspects had been arrested in recent weeks in connection with various abductions and robberies in the region.

"We charged 65 of them to a magistrates court on Monday in Port Harcourt on 15-count charges of kidnapping, armed robbery and bunkering," she said. Bunkering refers to the organised theft of large quantities of crude oil.

"Some of the suspects were responsible for the abduction of the 19 oil workers rescued recently and of prominent citizens including a traditional ruler in the state," she said.

Resurgent unrest in the Niger Delta has risked undermining the credibility of President Goodluck Jonathan in the run-up to elections next April.

He is the first head of state from the Niger Delta and brokered an amnesty with militants last year, which saw thousands of gunmen lay down their weapons and brought more than a year without significant attacks on the oil industry.

MEND has warned of further strikes on oil installations since the freeing of the oil workers but the military appears to have made significant advances, taking over militant camps and detaining suspected gang members.

Nigeria Threatens to Report Iran to UN Over Arms Shipment

Nigerian officials say they will report Iran to the U.N. Security Council if they find evidence that an illegal arms shipment allegedly originating in Iran broke international law and U.N. sanctions.

Nigerian Foreign Minister Odein Ajumogobia issued the threat Friday.

He met in Abuja late Thursday with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki to discuss the arms shipment.

Ajumogobia said Mottaki authorized Nigerian officials to interview one of two Iranians implicated in the arms shipment.

The cache of weapons was seized by Nigeria's secret service two weeks ago in Lagos and found to contain rockets, rifle rounds, grenades and other explosives.

Israeli officials have said the weapons were bound for the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. A Hamas leader in Gaza denied the weapons were headed to Gaza.

Nigeria has been on alert since a bombing near an October 1 Independence Day celebration killed 12 people.

A Nigerian militant group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, claimed responsibility for the attack.

"I Beg My Husband For Sex" -Housewife

Story by Yisa Jamiu

A petty trader, Mrs. Kate Ude, has narrated to an Ojo Grade ‘A’ Customary Court, Ojo, Lagos, how she begs, cajoles and pleads with her husband to have sex with her.

The mother of two who revealed this in a divorce suit she filed against her husband in suit number OCCA/054/2010, added that all her pleas to enjoy her conjugal rights always fall on her husband’s deaf ears.

She said that instead, her husband would turn her into a punching bag at every slightest provocation, a situation she told the court she can no longer put up with.

“He denies me my conjugal rights with him. I have to beg, cajole and plead with him. Yet he would not let me enjoy the warmth of his strong areas around my cold body.

“He does not allow me access to our matrimonial bed any longer. I sleep in the sitting room with the kids while he enjoys the comfort of our bedroom all alone,” she lamented in court.

She said that lack of trust and understanding have destroyed their blissful marriage, while she further accused her husband of not providing for the upkeep of the family.

“My husband does not trust or understand me at all. He suspects every move I make both at home and in my shop. I was once a fashion designer gathering the little money I make to support him financially, but he callously packed my sewing machines and sent them to the village, leaving me empty handed.

“Yet, he would not provide money for me and our kids. I single handedly pay the children’s school fees and then sometimes pay the house rent. I was frustrated when he sent my sewing machines to the village. So, I managed to source for money to start selling foodstuff.

“After all my efforts, my ever jealous husband mistook my contribution as an avenue for me to make money and take over his authority as the head of the family and defy his order. His argument was that when women become richer than their husbands they would start disrespecting them,” she said.

She prays the court to grant her prayers for the dissolution of the marriage and grant her the custody of their two kids for proper motherly care.

In his reaction to all the allegations levelled against him, her husband, Stephen Ude, told the court that he has nothing to say but maintained that he still loves his wife dearly and wants her back by all means.

The court president, Alhaji T. A. Saeed, after listening to both parties, adjourned the matter till a later date for further hearing.

80 PERCENT OF ZIMBABWEAN PROSTITUTES TEST HIV POSITIVE

Eighty percent of prostitutes who have gone for HIV testing in the past five years in Zimbabwe have been found positive, the state media has reported.

50 INJURED AS PARTY SUPPORTERS CLASH

BY Ubong George/Makurdi

At least fifty persons were injured when supporters loyal to Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State clashed with loyalists of the suspended Chairman of Gboko Local Government Area , Hon Simon Abua.

aprokonews gathered that the violence started after a High Court presided over by Justice Kpam Baaki adjourned a case filed by the suspended chairman, alleging that he was wrongful suspended by the State House of Assembly.

According to him, some persons said to have spotted the Governor’s campaign T-shirts soon started singing victory songs thereby infuriating supporters of the suspended Chairman and a bloody clash occurred. Several persons including two councilors were thoroughly beaten.

The clash continued unabated for more than an hour after the court adjourned its sitting even as fighting spread to other parts of the metropolis.

Lawyers as well as journalists took to their heels to save their lives.

It, however, took the intervention of operatives of the Joint Military/Police Security outfit code named ‘Operation Zenda’ from neighboring towns and other security agencies in quelling the crisis and avoiding further bloodshed.

aprokonews also learnt from a cross-section of people in Gboko that the crisis between Mr Simon Abua, susupended council chairman of Gboko local government area and Governor Gabriel Suswam is seen as an extension of the wrangling between immediate past governor, Senator George Akume and Suswam.

Abua is well-known as Akume’s closest associate and confidant, who had refused to be disloyal to Senator Akume and his paying the price for unrepentant loyalty.

At the recent swearing-in of the acting chairman of Gboko LGA, Mr. Joseph Kutu, Governor Suswam charged him to take control of the security situation in the local government area to avoid any break down of law and order.

SUPERSPORTS WINS PREMIER LEAGUE RIGHTS FOR NIGERIA

Reports reaching www.aprokonews.blogspot.com say DStv’s SuperSport has acquired the Nigerian rights to the Barclays Premier League for the next three seasons 2010/11 to 2012/13.

The report, which stated that SuperSport’s arrangement includes 380 Barclays Premier League, EPL matches, plus the Premier League’s 24-hour content service in high definition, throws Nigerian viewing public in the dark over the fate of Hi Media, owners of HiTV Nigeria, who in 2009 won the exclusive rights to broadcast the EPL in the country for three seasons, after a highly competitive bid.

The Pay TV’s Chief Operating Officer, Olumide Amure, had said that HiTV’s rights covered the 2010/2011, 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 seasons, adding that unlike the 2009/2010 season where HiTV owned 80 per cent of the premier league rights, the company got 100 per cent broadcast rights.

However, it was gathered today that SuperSport now has the seven-day-a-week service to be launched on 13 August and will be broadcast across the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria.

“Nigeria will be one of the very first countries to receive the 24-hour content service,” said Imtiaz Patel, CEO of SuperSport.

“We are delighted to lead the way with our partners at the Premier League and associates in Nigeria.”

Commenting on the news, chairman of MultiChoice Nigeria, Adewunmi Ogunsanya, said: “We are happy to welcome back the English Premier League onto the DStv platform in Nigeria, to stand alongside the other exciting international soccer coverage we already provide to our subscribers here.

“However, our focus remains firmly on showcasing homegrown talent from the Nigerian Premier League and we will continue our investments in this regard.

“As a Nigerian business that is committed to providing our growing subscriber community across Nigeria with the world’s best channels and programming, we are pleased that SuperSport was able to take up the opportunity when it presented itself, to ensure that fans of this league will not miss any action from it.”

Premier League chief executive, Richard Scudamore, added: “We are pleased to extend our partnership with SuperSport into Nigeria and are confident they will continue to deliver a premium product that will showcase the Barclays Premier League to our many fans in the territory.”

The Premier League has traditionally enjoyed outstanding viewership ratings on SuperSport and this commercial arrangement is expected to amplify the league’s popularity. The Barclays Premier League is the biggest continuous annual sporting event in the world, followed by more than 2.5 billion fans and broadcast to more than 500 million homes.

With the latest development the future of the pay television station, HiTV with regard to the broadcast of the Premier League remains unknown.

www.aprokonews.blogspot.com attempt to get the reaction of the Managing Director of HiTV, Toyin Subair proved abortive as he neither picked our call nor replied our text messages as at press time.

2011: IBB CAMPAIGN GROUP SWITCHES TO JONATHAN

Written by Ahuraka Yusuf Isah, Abuja

The Presidential ambition of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (retd) may face some huddles as all the state co-ordinators of Babangida Campaign Organisation in the 2007 general election on Friday switched camps to the President Goodluck Jonathan campaign organisation.

The group led by Prince Ernest Khuemen Okojie, described President Jonathan as the Joshua of our time whom God has ordained to lead the country to the promise land.

Okojie who spoke in Abuja at a meeting with other leaders of the Ijaw nation in Clark's residence said, “Dr. Jonathan Ebele Goodluck is the Joshua of our time who was destined to lead his people to cross over Jordan at the command of God Almighty. Jonathan should free this country from bad rulers to good governance where everyone will feel a sense of inclusiveness, be happy and proud.

“I, Prince E.K. Okojie, the Chairman and Natioanl Co-ordinator of the defunct IBB Presidential Campaign Organisation is here with 35 out of the 37 State Co-ordinators to join hands with all the all the progressives and, the hitherto marginalized people of this country both north and south to work hard to ensure President Goodluck Jonathan becomes President in 2011", he said.

Clark in his response said, “Today is one of the happiest day in my life. The IBB campaign group have resolved to work for Jonathan.. No section of this country is against Jonathan contesting the election. I am grateful to you for coming. I want us to work together to move the country forward.”

Clark who condemned the spate of kidnapping in the country said, “it is unfortunate that kidnapping has now spread to other parts of the country, especially, the east. Kidnapping is worse then armed robbery. I am happy that the government has taken a decision on the isuue. Th e actions of the kidnappers are wicked. Nigerians are unhappy with what is going on.”

WHY SOLUDO IS AFTER ME –Akunyili •ALLEGATIONS LAUGHABLE –Soludo

by Sam Nwaoko, Awka

The Minister of Information and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili (pictured above), has said her in-law and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Chukwuma Soludo (pictured down), is after her because he refused to be placated following his failure in the February governorship election in Anambra State.

Professor Akunyili, in a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune at the weekend, in reaction to a publication that she had a quarrel with the youth during the burial ceremony of her elder sister, alleged that the former CBN boss was not happy with her because “he singled me out as the source of his failure to win the election.”

During the funeral ceremony of Mrs Gloria Ezenwanne, Soludo’s mother in-law, at the weekend, in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, some youths dismantled the tents mounted by Professor Akunyili to entertain her guests, while her security aides allegedly manhandled some of the youth and arrested them for the act.

Following the misunderstanding, senior police officers in the state and the traditional ruler of Isuofia, Igwe Okpara Unegbu, intervened and the minister took her guests and visitors to her father’s compound in Nanka community, Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.

Professor Akunyili, while reacting to the incident, said Soludo “brought that anger, grudge and frustration to the burial of his mother in-law, who is also my elder sister.

“All arrangements made by me and other siblings were vandalised by Soludo’s thugs.”

According to her, “they followed this up with text messages of blackmail to my guests, friends and well-wishers. When the environment in Isuofia became too insecure, tense and hostile, I quietly relocated to my father’s compound at Nanka, which is a few kilometres away just to avoid trouble.”

Akunyili added that “all efforts to make him understand that I alone cannot make him governor have failed. So he brought that anger, grudge and frustration to the burial of his mother-in-law.”

Reacting, Professor Soludo, through his Media Assistant, Bonaventure Melah, denied the allegations, saying that “they are laughable,”

He added that all the funeral arrangements were taken care of by Soludo and his wife, in conjunction with the immediate family of the Ezenwanne without Professor Akunyili contributing anything to it.”

Melah, in a telephone interview with the Nigerian Tribune, said one of the attributes that marked Soludo out during the electioneering was his rejection and condemnation of all forms of thuggery and acts of violence.”

OUR CAPTORS TOOK N1.6m FROM US, NOT N3m –OBA

By Ekene Okoro, Reporter, Lagos

Chairman, Lagos Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Wahaab Oba (Pictured above in the middle of co-captives, on Yellow-Blue Striped shirt), has dismissed the report that N3 million was seized from them by the kidnappers, saying their captors only collected about N1.6 million.

Speaking at his residence Oba, before he was taken to the headquarters of the State Security Service (SSS) at Shangisha, on Monday evening, Oba expressed surprise at media reports on Monday to the effect that the kidnappers collected N3million from them.

“I was surprised when I saw the report today (Monday) that the sum of N3 million was seized from us by the kidnappers.

“I must have been misunderstood. What I meant was that the total value of what the kidnappers seized from us would amount to about N2.5 million or N3 million in total value.

“At least about N1.6 million in cash was seized from us instantly while other properties such as vehicle, a Serena Space bus, laptop, camera, recorder, personnel effects, wrist watches, among other valuables should worth about N2 million.

“We got N1 million from Governor of Akwa Ibom, Mr. Godswill Akpabio as a fulfillment of his promise to assist us for a project we are embarking on in Lagos, while other money collected from all of us should be about N600,000.

“It is most likely the kidnappers acted based on information because they were getting information on us minute by minute with a threat to kill us anytime,” Oba stated,

Oba, who was in high spirit, apparently elated, said they got more afraid of their lives when they kept on seeing corpses along the bushes and forest they were made to pass through.

“But at the end we thank God, because we came out alive, hale and hearty,” he stated.

However, men of the state SSS whisked Oba in an unmarked van to their Shangisha office at about 4.p.m apparently to ask him some information on the N3 million and other essential information concerning their ordeal.

At about 6.p.m when Daily Independent left Oba’s residence, he was yet to return to rejoin his family.

There was a mild drama as his son and daughter refused to go back into the house after their father was taken away.

They instead stuck to their words to remain outside until their father’s return.

WANDE COLE DENIES NUDE ONLINE PHOTOS, SAYS "IT WASN'T ME"

Multiple award winning artiste, Wande Coal, real name Ojosipe Oluwatobi Wande Jnr, has said he was not the person in the controversial nude pictures which appeared on social networking site, Twitter, which allegedly showed him lying naked on a bed.

He said there was no way the person in the picture could have been him, adding that whomever was responsible for spreading the lies must have used Photoshop to superimpose his head on another man’s naked body.

Coal said he and his attorneys were still investigating the matter and would proceed with legal actions once they identify those behind the circulation of the pictures.

Speaking in the same vein, D’banj, who said he was in the United States when he heard the news, lamented that people could descend so low to do things that were capable of extinguishing the glittering career of Wande Coal. He described Wande as a humble, talented young man who all members of the Mo’ Hits were proud of.

He, however, admitted that the controversy had catapulted Wande Coal to international stardom.

DAGRIN RESURRECTS...

Renowned Director, Lancelot Imasuen would be directing a memorial and biographical film on the late Olaitan ‘Da Grin’ Olanepekun. The film financed by Stingomania Entertainment is titled ‘Ghetto Dreams’ would tell the story of the late rap artiste. The film will chronicle the growing years of Dagrin, his struggles, his rise to fame and his death.

The choice of the respected film director has been hailed.

The movie is just one of the ways Stingomania Record would be immortalizing the legacy and memories of the late artiste.

The Dagrin Memorial Project, amongst other things will ensure that the family Dagrin left behind is catered for and the loss is made more bearable for his family in a tangible measurable manner. The memorial project will also provide a lasting structure and means to encourage upcoming, struggling and budding entertainment stars, while helping talented artistes deal with the different challenges and lack of resources limiting them from fulfilling their potential and set up a foundation to provide assistance for upcoming and struggling musicians with limited means and poor backgrounds to realize their ambition. The foundation will provide help for young musicians in areas of Finance, Training and Mentoring. All these were ideals the late musician stood for.

GENERAL PYPE STRIKES GOLD

Storm Records new sensation General Pype, has landed a mega deal with the continent’s sports channel, SuperSport. His massive hit song Champion is now the official theme song of the channel that prides itself as the channel of champions.

Though details of the deal remain sketchy, Showbiz Trends learnt that the deal has been described as the first of its kind done by a locally-based Nigerian artist for international release.

“We are proud to have concluded this deal for this record which has already become a massive street anthem for the youths across Africa and has now been recognised by SuperSport, the channel of Champions. General Pype was elated about this deal as it will promote his brand of music to an even larger audience,” said Obi Asika, CEO, Storm 360 Group.

General Pype is the emerging dancehall champion of the African Urban Scene and his song is now on rotation on BBC 1 Extra and has also been on heavy rotation all over Nigeria and Africa.

“We are using this medium to send a special message of thanks to all the DJs, VJs, radio and television stations and blogs, print media and most especially, the fans that support General Pype and also all the music and other releases from Storm,” Asika added.

General Pype’s previous single before Champion, Keep It Cool, was featured in Season 6 of the popular American television drama series, The Shield, which aired on Fox TV in May 2007 and licensed through his management company XXL Untertainment.

In the meantime, General Pype’s debut album has a tentative release date of 1 October. The track, Champion and the remix are available on iTunes, yahoo, amazon.com and all major media stores.

HESKEY QUITS INTERNATIONAL SCENE

By Rob Parrish

Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey has announced his retirement from international football.

The powerful forward, who won 62 caps but scored just seven goals during his England career, has decided to call time on his spell with the Three Lions following their miserable World Cup campaign.

Heskey started the first match against the USA in South Africa and made a dream start, setting up Steven Gerrard's early opener.

The 31-year-old was again selected by fabio Capello for the dismal goalless draw with Algeria, before being replaced by Jermain Defoe for the victory over Slovenia and 4-1 thrashing by Germany, coming on as a substitute in both games.

Pride

Heskey said: "I have enjoyed every moment of my England career and worn the shirt with pride every time I have been fortunate enough to have been selected.

"I would like to thank every manager I have played under, everyone at the FA and the fans for all their support over the years.

"I wish the management team and the playing squad all the best for the future."

Heskey was handed his England debut by Kevin Keegan when he came off the bench in the friendly against Hungary in Budapest in April 1999.

Future

The former Leicester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Wigan frontman was involved in the 2002 World Cup and the European Championships of 2000 and 2004.

A three-year spell away from the international scene was ended by Steve McClaren and he won his 50th cap away to Belarus in October 2008.

Heskey was not always the most popular selection among some England supporters, but successive international managers showed faith in his abilities, which were often regularly praised by his team-mates.

Capello must now look to the future as he aims to rebuild England's shattered confidence for the Euro 2012 qualification campaign without the services of the experienced forward.

POLICE ARREST 400 KIDNAPPERS

BY Ifedayo Adebayo and Femi Adebesin-Kuti

In its ongoing effort to end kidnapping menace in the country, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested over 400 kidnappers and rescued many victims from the clutches of criminals, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Emmanuel Ojukwu, said in Abuja, on Wednesday.

In a statement, Mr. Ojukwu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, said the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ogbonna Onovo, has described the payment of ransom to secure the release of kidnap victims as an encouragement of the vice.

The statement cited Mr. Onovo’s displeasure with payment of ransom to the kidnappers, saying that the IGP has warned that the police would take “serious action against persons who encourage the vice” by ensuring such payment.

It, however, urged that cases of abduction should be reported promptly to the police, saying that useful information has helped the police and “the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has over 400 kidnappers in its custody and had rescued many victims from the clutches of criminals,” the statement added.

Also at its secretariat yesterday, the Lagos State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has maintained that it was optimistic that the four kidnapped journalists and driver would soon regain their freedom.

“Government should, however, rise up to tackle the problem of kidnapping,” said Deji Elumoye, the council’s vice-chairman.

No freedom yet

Speaking while receiving the delegations on solidarity visits from the state government and the Council of Lagos State Indigenes, Mr. Elumoye said that the national secretariat of the NUJ had temporarily relocated to Umuahia to address the problem. He also narrated how the union’s national president, Garba Mohammed, had received a call at 9 a.m. today from the kidnappers and was allowed to speak with the chairman of the state council, Wahab Oba.

“They are taking good care of us, but nothing is as good as having our freedom”, the vice chairman quoted Mr. Oba as saying.

According to the Lagos State delegation, which was led by the commissioner for information, Opeyemi Bamidele, “there is no reason for anyone, either for physical gains or to heighten the tension in the country, to allow himself or herself to be driven into doing the obnoxious crime.”

According to him, the state government is working with the federal government and other security agencies to ensure the safe return of the NUJ leaders.

“Kidnapping for ransom, trying to endanger lives and property in any manner, is not capable of providing employment or putting money into the pockets of people”, Mr. Bamidele said.

The commissioner, on behalf of the state governor, Babatunde Fashola, expressed the state government’s solidarity with the NUJ.

The convener of the Council of Lagos State Indigenes, Sumbo Onitiri, also expressed shock at the incident and advised the National Assembly to hasten the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) and anti-terrorism bills.

He described the incident as a “national menace” and suggested the passage of other bills that could improve the welfare of Nigerians.

An assistant director (Information), Office of Lagos State deputy governor, and a former president of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Toro Oladapo, who accompanied the NUJ officials, consoled the wives of the kidnapped men, assuring them that their husbands would soon be released.

MOTHER OF FORMER NFF CHAIRMAN, SANNI LULU KIDNAPPED

Hajia Lauba Abdullahi, mother of impeached President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Sani Lulu Abdullahi has been kidnapped.

Yesterday evening, less than 24 hours after the Chairman of the Lagos Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Wahab Alabi Oba was kidnapped along with three other executive members in Abia State, the mother of Alh. Lulu Abdullahi was also reportedly seized by unknown persons from her Idah home.

Although details of the kidnap of the aged woman remained hazy as at press time, the personal aide of Lulu, Tunde Aderibigbe, confirmed the incident.

“It is true that some unidentified persons have take custody of the mother of Alh Lulu Abdullahi. So far, we do not know their motives. Calls to the phone of Mama (Hajia Abdullahi) were picked but no one said anything,” observed the NFF personnel.

The kidnap, which happened yesterday evening, investigations say is already attracting the intervention of security agencies of the country. While those who kidnapped the NUJ boss are demanding N250m before they can release those in captive, there is no word yet on what Hajia Lauba will be demanding for her freedom.

FASHOLA BLAMES RAIN FOR BAD ROADS

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has blamed the rain for the bad roads in the state, begging Lagosians for understanding as the government will fix the roads after the rains are gone.

The governor said even in Europe, there are bad roads during the winter, saying that the situation was not peculiar to Lagos State alone.

“There was a bad winter in Europe. Immediately after it, almost all the roads were bad. They are now just fixing them,” he said.

According to Fashola, “in this period of increased rainfall, we want to say it once again that we are a coastal state which is very close to water and there is not much the state government can do until the rains are over.

“We have to stabilize and be prepared that immediately after the rains, we will intervene. That is why LASTMA men are there to help make the roads motorable. Even the process of producing bitumen is not sustainable in this wet weather.”

The governor spoke at a Retreat for cabinet members and the Permanent Secretaries in Lagos, Nigeria, saying that in the last three years, his administration had built more roads than even a country like Ghana had done.

He stressed the need for the existing roads to be maintained, adding that they had a lifespan which must be adhered to.

“Some are built to last between 15, 20 and 25 years, while some are feeder roads which are built on lower specifications and would need regular rehabilitation and maintenance.

“From the last quarter of last year till April this year, the state government carried out a lot of road repairs, patching and maintenance which the people did not complain about,” he stated, while appealing to the media to help in sharing information with the people on the need to understand that this was a rainy season.

He said it could only be left to the imagination what would have happened if Lagos goes without rains for eight months, adding that the people would not only complain but would also face the prospect of a dwindling source of water supply.

The governor sympathised with the people for the discomfort they were currently facing as a result of the heavy rains, saying that flooding normally occurs when there was tidal lock, depending on the area the people chose to live.

“You chose to live close to water. Those who chose to live in cold regions also live with the discomfort that snow and winter brings when they cannot go out or travel. It is only three months. The rains will subside and we will have our lives back,” Fashola said.

On the issue of flooding which had been reported in some areas in the state despite measures put in place, Fashola reiterated that one of the recent laws he had passed, the law on physical planning, would have huge impact on whether an area was flood prone or not and how it could be quickly drained.

He described the rainy season as a good season for farmers and fishermen who would not complain about this period, stressing that the season represents discomfort in the metropolis but a blessing in the rural areas.

“We also have ports in Lagos which we make profits from, but this comes with a cost. Lagos is two metres above the sea level and despite all the drainages that we have done, once the water level is higher than the drains, we will have the problem of floods. We have to be patient with nature to do its work.

“We should be thankful to God that no casualty or devastation has happened as we are seeing across the world. 19 people died in France last week from floods. Government continues to rise to those challenges. Those bad areas in Gbagada, Idi-Araba, ilasamaja we have conquered the flood problems in those areas and implemented solutions and we will continue to do our level best,” he stated.

Fashola also disclosed that the performance of the 2010 budget in the second quarter of the year was 80 percent, which is an improvement of the first quarter budget performance, which stood at 49 percent.

“We will continue to task ourselves to even do better by dedicating ourselves. We expect that if the revenue continues to perform, we will continue to use it to deliver services that will meet the hope and expectations of our people,” he said.

Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Ben Akabueze, said the state had done very well generally in terms of performance but was not fully on its target yet just as it had also done well with other sources of funding.

According to him, in the second quarter, the state took great advantage of the dry season to step up its project execution, stressing that this explained why its capital expenditure on performance grew and covered whatever shortfall it had in the first quarter.