A Review of Tinubu Fountain Square - Photos

The last celebrated Democracy day was with a lot of mixed feelings. All work and no play, they say makes Jack a dull boy. Being a public holiday, AutoReportNG was on the Island and we decided to take a stroll through the Tinubu Square Fountain. Remember this fountain was refurbished and inaugurated by the former acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola on Jan 2017. 17 months down the lane, we decided to have a feel of the fountain as first-time users.

Introduction

Tinubu Square (formerly Independence Square), is an open space landmark located in Broad Street, Lagos Island, Lagos State, Nigeria. It used to be called Ita Tinubu in memory of Madam Efunroye Tinubu, a slave trader, and business magnate, before it was named Independence Square by leaders of the First Republic and subsequently Tinubu Square.

The square is iron-fenced with two flowing fountains, flowers and tropical trees in it. It also contains a life-size statue of Madam Tinubu on a cenotaph.

The Place is open to the public free of charge

Kudos must be given to the state government for making the place free of charge, unlike Freedom Park where you have to pay 200 naira before you can have access to the venue. Tinubu fountain Square used to be under lock and key, this place used to be opened for people who may have a photo shoot or an official programme and they have to use the square, this has since changed since it was refurbished as the gate is thrown open from 9am to 9pm, Monday through to Sunday.

Clean Environment

With the square being sited in a residential and business environment, one would expect that the place will be flooded with dirt, human waste, food remnants and other filthy items especially as authorities are still battling with keeping Lagos clean, but the reverse is the case as both inside and outside the square is clean even to the seats around.

No cover/shade for visitors

I think the LASG needs to consider building a shade or a hut beside the fountain, it was observed that virtually all the fun seekers sat in the sun as the only shade available was occupied by some set of people who were holding a meeting in that place. It will be great if we can have small huts and shades like the freedom park around some corners.

The management needs to be proactive

Despite their appreciated efforts in making sure the park meets the standard of the public, AutoReportNG believes the concerned authorities can do better especially in making sure the square is not only comfortable for visitors but also eco-friendly.

Some of our observations are- the grasses seem to be fading off, and also the paints on the wall and on the seats are peeling off as well and you wonder if there are no allocations for these little but important things, also there seems to be presence of algae in the water as the water in the pond looked greenish.

Nonetheless, Tinubu Fountain Square is still a fun place to relax within the Island.

Update from the Lagos-Ibadan Railway Project

Prior to the assurance by the minister of transportation that the project will be completed by 2019, The Federal Government and the CCeCC, the company in charge of the Lagos-Ibadan Railway project seem to be leaving no stone unturned as to meet the 2019 deadline set by the Federal Government. The first T-beam for this project was laid on at the Igbin River Bridge and they are moving with fast pace, but for so long? Time will tell.

 See more pictures below...

See The World's Cutest Bullet Train Unveiled in Japan

There are two things that will never get old in Japan. Hello Kitty -- Sanrio's adorable mouthless character -- and bullet trains. And now they're coming together.

Japan's Shinkansen train operator, West Japan Railway Co. Ltd announced it will launch a Hello Kitty-themed Shinkansen bullet train on June 30.

Aimed at revitalizing regional communities in western Japan, the trains will make stops at each station between Shin-Osaka and Hakata -- ward in Fukuoka city in western Japan's Fukuoka prefecture.

The company will revamp two 500 series Shinkansen bullet trains, coating them in Hello Kitty designs. The livery will be decorated in pink ribbons and Hello Kitty's signature bow -- a design meant to represent the campaign's goal of connecting travelers with destinations in the regions.

Two of the cars will be transformed into Hello Kitty worlds, featuring excessive and adorable kitty motifs.

The floor, windows, headrests and armrests of Car 2 -- named Kawaii! Room -- will be a passenger car covered in motifs from Hello Kitty and Friends. 

There will also be a photo booth -- featuring a Hello Kitty doll in Shinkansen uniform -- for all your Instagram needs.

Instead of the usual Shinkansen jingle, the train will ring the original Hello Kitty theme tune as it approaches the stations.

Lagos Unveils Three Road Printers, 42 Other Construction Equipment

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday commenced the urban regeneration of Ikoyi, Victoria Island, and Ikeja G.R.A, with the unveiling of 45 new road construction equipment and commissioning of newly interlocked road in Lekki.

The equipment, including three road printers and three giant wheel leaders, were unveiled after a public demonstration to the media and government functionaries to complete the construction of an interlocked road in Joseph Hotounu Street, Lekki.

Others are five driving rollers, 18 hand operating rollers, one excavator, one paver, six tractors, three wheel loaders, one chip sealer, one milling machine, one hiab, one sweeper machine and one synchronous chip sealer.

Task Force To Clamp Down On LG Officials Over Illegal Traffic Activities

The Lagos State Task Force said with effect from Monday, 28th May 2018, it would commence a total clampdown on illegal activities of local government traffic officials on all roads across the state.

SP Olayinka Egbeyemi, chairman, Lagos State Task Force disclosed this, saying that illegal activities of notorious traffic officials on the roads have become worrisome.

According to him, cases of motorists being extorted with complaints from victims have inundated his office, and on daily basis.

The task force chief said he had been directed by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Edgal Imohimi to commence total clampdown on the recalcitrant officials.

He said the CP Imohimi was not comfortable with the rate of extortions suffered by motorists in the hands of the notorious traffic officials, who claim to be enforcing the Lagos State Road Traffic Law of 2012.

He explained that as a responsive and responsible government, rights of Lagosians including motorists are paramount to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

He reiterated that the ban of all local governments’ traffic officials from controlling or engaging in traffic duties by the state governor still stands.

SP Egbeyemi noted that motorists have severally complained that such officials on mufti harass them, collect illegal fees with fake local government tickets.

“Indeed there are traffic unit in all the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas. However, traffic management is not a responsibility for the third tier of government. We have reported instances of illegal arrests, extortions and general impunity on the part of the local government operatives.”

The Chairman quoted the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, saying “only Nigerian Police, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Taskforce and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) can perform traffic duties”

SP Egbeyemi urged motorists to always adhere strictly to traffic regulations and report to the nearest Police Station any illegal activities of traffic officials, adding that there had never been a time government considered ceding its traffic management responsibilities to any tier of government.

He, however, enjoined chairmen of local governments and local council development areas of the State to maintain zero tolerance for illegal traffic duties around their respective council as any traffic official caught by the Agency would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

20 years after, FG flags off N20bn Ikorodu-Sagamu road project

The Federal Government has commenced the rehabilitation of the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road.

The 30.4 kilometre road linking Lagos State to Sagamu town in Ogun State is a major access road for trucks and tankers evacuating petroleum products from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s depot in Mosimi.

The project was awarded to Arab Contractors and is expected to be completed in 36 months at the cost of N20bn.

According to the description of the project, there will be rigid pavement of 11.65km, flexible pavement of 18.75km and 25km of drainage.

The Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, stated at the inauguration of the project on Monday that it was in fulfilment of the Federal Government’s promise to improve road infrastructure in the country.

He said the road, which had outlived its service lifespan, was currently riddled with several failed sections and potholes, which would be filled for commuters to have easy movement during the period of construction.

The minister explained, “The road will serve as an alternative route during traffic congestion and relieve the ever busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

“It will also lead to reduction in vehicle operating costs, travel time, road accidents and loss of lives. There will be job opportunities and increase in commerce. The government has a strong policy on agriculture and industrialisation, and no road is as important to these as this road.”

Rivers Monorail: Is This The End of Africa's First Monorail?

Nigeria is blessed with people who can reason and also see into the future, despite our political difference, races, tribes, culture, we have managed to come together to form a coalition called Nigeria. Rivers state has come into political loggerhead and this is between the governor and his past predecessor, the war is so bad that it is depriving the state of some benefits and this includes what is supposed to be Africa's first monorail which is been suspended despite reaching some limestones completion. Talk of a project which has been under so much controversies then all fingers will point to this project.

The Rivers State Monorail, also known as Rivers Monorail and occasionally as Port Harcourt Monorail, is a proposed monorail urban transportation project in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

The project was announced in 2011 and construction commenced in 2012. As of September 2017 construction has only been partially completed despite $400 million having been spent and the project is at a standstill. Some reports say the project will never be completed.

The train is supposed to travel on a fully segregated, mostly elevated, right of way. The right of way will include two tracks, except for single-track sections at terminals and for one-directional loops. The initial route includes two segments - Phase 1A from Sharks Park to UTC Station, and Phase 1B further north to Waterlines. The overall distance from Sharks Park to Waterlines will be 5.4 km. Further extensions are in planning phases.

It is planned to use Intamin People Mover P30 monorail trains, an electric driven train especially designed and most suitable for commuter services in cities. It is the most recent model of its kind and characterized by modern design, spacious cabins, and wide doors for easy access for passengers with luggage.

The train runs on rubber wheels which are connected to bodies and is laterally guided by means of side guiding wheels. The rubber-steel interface between train and guideway will have a good friction coefficient, leading to decreased vibration transmission to the train from the track. These attributes lead to higher ride quality and passenger comfort.

One train will be in operation in Phase 1A, and six trains in Phase 1B. A train will consist of seven individual cars. Six cars will carry passengers, and the seventh car will house the motors and electrical equipment. Driver’s cabins will be situated at each end of the train.

Passenger cars will feature safety and comfort systems. The air conditioning system is designed to provide a comfortable train interior, even if the outside temperature reaches 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). Each train will be able to accommodate 172 passengers, with provision for 44 seated passengers included. One end car will have access for wheelchairs, and all cabin floors will be the same height as the station platforms to provide easy access for passengers with reduced mobility. Provision will be made for hand-held luggage only.

The design operating capacity for Phase 1A is 1,200 passengers per hour. With a maximum operating speed of 70km/h, the train will travel between end stations in about 8 minutes. Six trains will have a design operating capacity of 2,700 passengers per hour. Train travel time between end stations will be about 22 minutes. Passengers can expect a train to arrive every 8 minutes.

These are some of the pictures from the ground breaking, construction, test run and others.