News

Appoint Experts To Manage Lagos Data Protection Commission, Stakeholders task LASG

Published

3 years ago

November 18, 2021

Appoint Experts To Manage Lagos Data Protection Commission, Stakeholders task LASG IMG-20211118-WA0016 IMG-20211118-WA0015

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The preponderance of views of critical stakeholders in the digital economy sector in Lagos State, tilted towards imposition of heavy fines on private and public data handlers who compromised standards, while urging that experts be drafted to manage the proposed Lagos State Data Protection Commission.

The stakeholders took this stance at a public hearing organized by the Lagos State House of Assembly, to enact a law that would ensure the protection of personal information through data to guarantee their safety.

The proposed law titled, ‘A Bill for a Law to promote the protection of personal information processed by public and private bodies, establish minimum requirements for the processing and protection of personal information, establish the data protection commission and for Connected purposes.’

Almost all the stakeholders who spoke at the parley held in the Assembly’s pavilion urged the House to look into the provision for annual registration, saying that in the process of protecting data, ease of doing business should not be hampered.
Tojuola Yusuf opined that data protection expertise should be considered in the membership of the Board for the Commission.
Dr Rachel Akangbe said, clause 29 which deals with destruction of data should be reviewed, while opting for data disposal instead of data destruction.

She noted that appointment of experts with cognate experience as secretary and special adviser is of paramount importance.
They called for proper representation of the professional in the governing board of the data protection commission adding that registration should be done once and not reviewed yearly as stated in the proposed bill.
In what appears a rallying point participants suggested that the fines for data protection law defaulters be pegged at N2 million minimum and N10million maximum depending on the degree of breaches.
Barrister Olajide Omosanya advocates for increment in fine, saying “We need to have a slightly higher fine like N5million or N10 million or we have exemplary damages depending on the breaches.”

While giving the overview of the Bill, the Leader of the House, Hon Sanai Agunbiade said, the part of II of the Bill, “seeks to establish Lagos State Data Protection Commission, which has shall among other functions ensure that personal data is collected, held or processed in a manner as not to infringe on the privacy of a data subject.”
In the interpretation of the Bill, a data subject is any person who can be identified, directly or indirectly, by reference to an identification number or one or more factors specific to such person’s physical, physiological, mental, economic, cultural or social identity.
The Leader added, “In part III, clause 12, the Commission may by notice in writing served on any person such information as is necessary or expedient for the performance of its functions under this Law, in a form that is visible, legible and easy to move.
“In clause 5, “Any person who without reasonable excuse, fails or refuses to comply with a requirement specified in a notice, or who furnishes to the Commission an information known to be false or misleading in a material particular, commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N1,000,000 or to a term not exceeding two years or both.
“In clause 16(1), the Commission may apply to the Court for an order for the expeditious preservation of data, including traffic data, where it has reasonable grounds to believe that such data is vulnerable to loss or modification.
“In clause 20, an authorized officer may enter and search any premises for the purpose of discharging any function or exercising any powers under this Law.”
He explained that “It however provided a proviso that such authorized person shall not enter or search premises without providing to the owner, a warrant issued by a magistrate.
“Anyone who obstructs an officer to enter for or provide assistance for relevant information.or gives misleading information commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding N1,000,000 or term not exceeding two years or both.”
The Deputy Speaker, Hon Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, who spoke on behalf of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa said the proposed law would not run contrary to Act of national Assembly, citing that every law made at the federal level could be domesticated in the States.
The Deputy Speaker said one of such laws was the Child Right Act already domesticated in Lagos State, noting that “where we have legislative competence, the laws of the states will not run contrary to national Assembly Act.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman House Committee on Science and Technology, Hon Afinni Suleiman said the advent of social media has enabled information to be shared easily, saying however there are advantages and disadvantages associated with the trend.

He explained that one of the disadvantages of the information shared as to do with fake news and unpermitted use of private data.

Special Adviser on Science and Technology Olatunji Alake who muted the stakeholders forum idea said that professional bodies will be constituted to give more flesh to the bill.

News

IBEDC Celebrates Christmas, Urges Customers to Prioritize Safety and Energy Responsibility

Published

7 hours ago

December 24, 2024

august24admin

IBEDC Celebrates Christmas, Urges Customers to Prioritize Safety and Energy
Responsibility.

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Plc extends heartfelt Christmas greetings to all Christians, esteemed customers, and Nigerians at large.

In a statement, the Managing Director, Engr. Francis Agoha highlighted that the birth of Jesus Christ symbolizes sacrificial love—a virtue that humanity should strive to embody.

Engr. Agoha assured customers that IBEDC has implemented measures to ensure network stability and smooth operations throughout the holiday season. “In anticipation of customer needs during the holidays, we are fully prepared to address faults quickly to minimize disruptions in power supply,” he stated.

He also called on customers to avoid energy theft, including tampering with meters or making illegal connections. “Energy theft is a criminal act that affects service quality for everyone and hampers our collective progress. I encourage customers to report any suspicious activities immediately,” he said.

Additionally, Engr. Agoha warned against tampering with electrical installations due to their severe safety risks, including the potential for injury or fatality. Customers are urged to report any faults, energy theft, or other issues to IBEDC offices or the Customer Care Line: 07001239999.
IBEDC also encourages customers to use its secure and convenient payment platforms to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply during the holidays.

These platforms include the IBEDCPAY app (available on Android and iOS), Quickteller, Payarena, Jumia, Watu, Buypower, IRecharge, and ATMs. IBEDC offices will be open from 9 am to 3 pm during the holiday to report faults, make inquiries, bill payments, and vending services.
“We sincerely thank our customers for their continued support throughout the year and urge everyone to prioritize safety by avoiding hazardous practices, such as cooking under power lines, drunk driving, etc.,” added Engr. Agoha.

Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year filled with peace, joy, and progress.

News

Overriding Public Interest: Delta warns against impeding govt projects

Published

1 week ago

December 14, 2024

august24admin

Overriding Public Interest: Delta warns against impeding govt projects

DAN DENT (ASABA)

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Delta State Government has cautioned citizens against impeding projects meant to serve the general public, saying such actions were illegal and constituted an abuse of the law.

Commissioner for Works, Highways and Urban Roads, Comrade Reuben Izeze (middle) discussing with the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir. Festus Ahon (right) shortly after Inspecting the maintaininers of Uti Road on Wednesday, while the Project Manager Mr. Milad Boutros (left) look on. PIX: SAMUEL JIBUNOR.

The State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, gave the warning in Effurun on Wednesday during an inspection of the DSC Roundabout Link Road to PTI Junction.

According to him, “no citizen is bigger than the state; I learnt that a citizen has said a particular portion of the road that has been approved cannot be constructed because that is his private property.

“I want to sound it to our people as a note of warning, that, to impede government project in the name of private property is an abuse of the law.

“If your property is on the right of way and we know it is not a road, this administration has made it a point of duty to pay compensation for the use of such properties in the overriding public interest.

“This project has an overriding public interest; if your property is in the right of way and your property has approval, the best we can do, as we have always done, is to give you compensation.

“But to say you stop government officials from doing their job because you feel you are bigger than the government or you are bigger than the law is absolutely unacceptable.”

Commissioner for Works, Highways and Urban Roads, Comrade Reuben Izeze (right) taking the measurements of the Rod while the zonal Chief Engineer Uvwie and Opke local government Area, Engr. Kporon Ennah (left) look on. PIX: SAMUELm JIBUNOR.

Speaking further, he said; “so, we are constructing a drainage that would discharge all the water on this road. If you look at this place, it was originally a swamp.

“Meanwhile, this place had all along been intended to be a road that should take traffic from the East-West Road to reduce the volume of traffic on DSC Roundabout and PTI Junction straight to the Eku highway.

“We have come to see what the contractors are doing and I must express my displeasure at the poor quality of engineering work that I have observed here in this drainage.

“In fact, as things stand, considering the volume of water that will be coming from the Julius Berger projects, the existing volume of water from the swamp.

“What is being done here, therefore, necessitates that this drain be done according to the engineering specifications because the volume of water we will be dealing with is enormous.

“However, on getting down here and measuring the distance between the reinforcements, we discovered that the contractor apparently did not pay attention to details.

“So, I have instructed them to remove everything, start afresh and we will come back. They should not put the reinforcement until I have come to inspect what they have done to be sure that they have complied with the spacing as provided for in the Bills of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation.”

News

Brutality Victim: Anambra State Executive Council Approves Medical Expenses of Victim

Published

1 week ago

December 14, 2024

august24admin

Brutality Victim: Anambra State Executive Council Approves Medical Expenses of Victim

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo undertakes the medical expenses of a victim of brutality by some contractors of the Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA), Mr. Okechukwu Akaneme.

The governor took this humanitarian decision to relieve the victim while strongly denouncing such despicable conduct. In addition to the governor’s gesture, the contractor has been relieved of his engagement with the state agency (ASWAMA) immediately, to serve as a deterrent to others.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, the victim who was assaulted is being hospitalised.

The Council has resolved to pick up his medical overheads, while sympathising with Akaneme ‘s family and prays for his quick recovery.

This profound empathy reflects Soludo’s sincere dedication to offering not just solutions but also a genuine commitment to providing helping hands, support, and hope to the people whenever and wherever required in the state.

END

Press Release

Anambra State Executive Council Awards More Road Contracts

The 37th Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) has awarded the contracts for the construction of new roads in the state in preparation for the yuletide season.

This is aimed at ensuring a memorable Christmas for Ndi Anambra, who will be celebrating the season in the state, from across the country and other parts of the globe.

In a release by the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, ANSEC at its 37th Meeting, approved the construction of the 3.75 km Igwe Orizu Road, in Nnewi, to New Idea Construction Company Ltd, and to be completed within six months.

The 10.8 km Nkwor Nnewi to Nkwor Oraifite was awarded to Infratech Construction Ltd at N7.2 billion, with a 12-month completion timeline, while the Oraukwu-Abatete-Nimo bypass in Idemili North measuring 4.922km was awarded to GMG Global Construction and Development Company Ltd, with a delivery date of six months.

At the meeting, the Council observed that many roads awarded at the last executive council meeting, including the New Tarzan Road and the three roads whose contracts were revoked and re-awarded, have not been reported.

Recently, Governor Soludo kept his promise with the completion of the 12.5km Ezira-Umuomaku-Enugu Umuonyia-Achina Road, linking several communities, and the 11.9km Mmiata-Anam-Nzam road, linking the headquarters of Anambra West Local Government Area (LGA).

With the ongoing and completed road projects in the state, Governor Soludo has literally turned Anambra into a construction site in his pursuit of transforming the state into a country-wide destination brand.