THIRD MAINLAND BRIDGE MAY OPEN AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

The third mainland bridge may be opened earlier than announced, this was made known on Friday by the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen after he inspected work going on currently on the bridge's expansion joints. according to him ''the replacement of the eight expansion joints on the Third mainland bridge may be completed ahead of the November 7 deadline due to the level of work currently going on''
According to the Minister there has been a gain of approximately one week on the timetable of the repair works on the bridge. ''this means that if we suatain the momentum we will be able to deliver the project ahead of the scheduled delivery date of Novemeber 7, 2012. The contract for the replacement joints was awarded to Messrs Boroni Prono and Company ltd in 2011 at a cost of over N1billion.
The Minister added that as part of the Federal Government's investment in road infrastructure in the Nation's former capital, Lagos, the Federal executive council had approved the transaction advisory consultancy services for the expansion and modernization of the Muritala Muhammed International Airport approach road to give a befitting approach to visitors coming to the country for the first time.

GOVERNOR FASHOLA SIGNS ROAD TRAFFIC BILL INTO LAW

Governor Fashola of Lagos state signed the new road traffic bill into law in on Thursday. The Governor reiterated that the new law is a holistic review of the state's 2003 traffic law which was designed to ensure safety on the roads. The high rate of traffic accidents and fatalities on Lagos roads necessitated the drastic road law. The governor said the laws were not to
imprison people but to guard against unneccessary fatalities on the roads.
Driving on a one way road attracts a three year prison sentence without the option of a fine
One way driving for motor cyclists attracts a fine of N20,000 for a first time offender and N30,000 subsequently.
Driving a vehicle while smoking attracts a N20,000 fine.
Failure to give way to the vehicle on your left at a roundabout is a N20,000 offence
Disobeying traffic controllers attracts a N20,000 fine.
Riding a motorcycle without a crash helmet for rider and passenger attracts a penalty charge of N20,000 or 3 years imprisonment.
Driving without a valid drivers licence will get your car impounded.
Driving a vehicle with a fake number plate attracts a N20,000 fine, 6 months imprisonment (or both)
All trailers except fuel tankers and long passenger vehicles are prohibited from entering into or driving within the metropolis from 6am to 9pm. Violators risk their vehicle being impounded, a 50,000 Naira fine or 6 months imprisonment.
Eating while driving, counting money, making phone calls and engaging in other dangerous activities while driving will attract a fine of 30,000 Naira.
Commercial bus drivers and their conductors are to wear identification tags.
Property owners are to report cases of abandoned vehicles in their vicinity or risk punishment
Commercial motorcycles and tricycles are banned from operating on major bridges, Ikorodu road, Funsho Williams avenue(western avenue), Apapa-Oshodi expressway, Lagos-Badagry expressway and Lekki - Epe expressway.
LASTMA officials are empowered to administer breath tests using breathealisers to detect drunk drivers
Owners of commercial vehicles must obtain operating licences from government.
Na wa o, the fear of LASTMA is the beginning of wisdom in Lagos.

NIGERIA'S GOT TALENT

Yes we do!!! The Rockview hotel in Abuja played host to thousands of hopefuls vyeing for a spot in the semi-finals of the Nigeria's got talent contest. There were fire eaters, acrobats, magicians and many others all seeking a chance to be Naija's ultimate talent. The winner at the Grand finale will walk away with the hefty grand prize of N10 million.
Debbie Schulman, the producer of the show hopes to give viewers of the show something spectacular to look forward to. The auditions head to Universal Hotels, Enugu then Monty Suites ,Calabar on August 7th, Beverly hills hotel, Port-harcourt on August 9th, BB Hotel, Warri on August 11th, Excalibur Hotel, Benin city on August 13th, Premiere Hotel, Ibadan on August 16th and the Grand finale at the Box studios, Bamako road,Ojodu, Lagos on the 18th and 19th of August.
The got talent franchise is one of the most successful reality franchises in the world and has produced many winning acts notable among them Susan Boyle who won Britain's got talent in 2009 and went on to release the fastest selling debut album ever in the UK and sold over 3 million copies in the US.
Register for the show at www.gottalentnigeria.com. The show is sponsored by telecommunication giant Airtel, cool FM, wazobia FM and information Nigeria.

EDITOR OF THE SUN NEWSPAPER SHOT IN LAGOS

The editor of the Daily Sun Steve Nwosu was shot by unknown gunmen in Maza maza today. He was shot on his way to work, sources at the Sun said he was shot in the head. He survived the attack and is recuperating in an undisclosed hospital.

ARMY COLONEL, STAFF SERGEANT TO PAY N25,000 FINE FOR USING BRT LANE

Army Colonel Kayode Yussuf who had the Honor of being personally apprehended by the Governor of Lagos, Babatunde Raji Fashola for using the BRT lane unlawfully on July 17th has been fined N25,000 by the  Nigerian army. The GOC 81 Division Major General Kenneth Minimah gave the order at  the court martial of Col. Yussuf , Staff Seargent Aliu Adeomi and eleven others.

LAGOS SURPASSES CAIRO AS AFRICA'S BIGGEST CITY

According to the Newyork times, Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria is now the largest city in Africa in terms of population. Cairo had formerly held that honour but has been surpassed by the exponential growth of Lagos's population from the 11.2 million estimated by the U.N in 2009 to 21 million in 2012.
Lagos is a city in transition, due to the efforts of the present government in the provision of necessary infrastructure, the beautification of the environment, investments in tourism, the development of the metro rail,  introduction of the BRT and many other initiatives by the government, Lagos is gradually morphing into a modern city. Eko o ni baje o

REPAIR OF 3RD MAINLAND BRIDGE POSTPONED INDEFINITELY

Hurrraaaaaay! the proposed repair of 3rd mainland bridge by the Federal road maintenance agency (FERMA) has been post-poned indefinitely. i can hear the sighs of relief from where I sit. The last repair exercise was one of the most hellish experience Lagosians have ever been put through.

ANOTHER RAINY DAY IN LAGOS

We woke up to rain again this morning! wahala, everywhere is flooded, this looks like the 7- day rain that was predicted. I'm not going anywhere today, just chilling at home with a hot cup of cocoa. I can authoritatively predict that there will be a boom of little babies exactly nine months from now. The weather is just perfect for that type of productive activity. ha ha ha.