•APC candidate vows to remove duplicity in taxation
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has promised the business community and corporate sector a “24-hour economy”, if elected.
In a statement by his Director of Media and Communications, Steve Ayorinde, the APC candidate spoke of his vision for a “clean, secure and more prosperous Lagos”.
The former accountant- general, who is also a Fulbright scholar, spoke to some select business community gurus and entrepreneurs at the Civic Centre at an event tagged: ‘An Evening with Akin Ambode’.
The APC candidate said he was glad for the opportunities to interact and share ideas on how best to develop Lagos.
The University of Lagos alumnus said if given the opportunity to serve, “Lagos will be open for business 24 hours a day and seven days a week making it a true 24/7 economy.
“For a mega city to thrive, we must have a holistic plan to make the city attractive and investment-friendly both domestically and internationally.
“The importance of Lagos and how its resources are managed have national implications either positively or otherwise. Lagos is the most populous city in Nigeria and the seventh fastest growing city in the world.
“We are home to approximately 21 million people, and we are the economic heartbeat of this great nation and indeed West Africa.
“It is in the interest of this country that we all jointly and collectively play our part in ensuring that Lagos remains prosperous.
“I have spent a greater part of my life in government rendering public service and learning the rudiments of good governance. I derive joy in encouraging and seeing young people succeed and actualise their dreams. It inspires me, it energises me, and it gives me hope for the future.”
Ambode said the state’s GDP was estimated to be $91billion, which he added is higher than the GDP of 42 countries in Africa, including Kenya with $66 billion, Ghana with $61.7 billion and Tanzania with $58.44 billion.
“Infact Lagos’ GDP is equivalent to the GDP of 19 African countries added together. I dare say that Lagos’ GDP could double the estimated amount, as these figures do not take into account the informal sector, which is believed to be just as large, if not larger than the formal sector.
“Lagos remains the only state in the country that has remained intact and undivided by any state creation exercise from the original 12 of 1967.
“It has moved downwards from a position of a state that shared 1/12 to a state sharing 1/36 of national revenue with disproportionate increase in population.
“Under my watch, there will be continuity in the provision of adequate security in Lagos State and I want to thank you, the business community, for your contributions towards the Security Trust Fund.”
He added that the discouragement of criminal propensity through the continuous state-wide deployment of CCTV cameras and response teams to tackle criminal activities in the communities would continue in his administration.
On transportation, Ambode said stakeholders must join hands in finding a workable solution to the gridlock and reduce the travel times.
He assured that if elected, he would continue with State Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (LASEEDS), VISION 20:20 and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Ambode said his administration would promote good corporate governance and respect the constitutional rights of citizens.
“We will ensure strict adherence to the rule of law and quick access to courts for dispute resolution and protection of investment rights and obligations on transactions.
“I recognise that tax is a sore issue anywhere in the world from time immemorial. For SMEs , we would ensure the removal of duplicity in taxation. We shall continue to encourage digitalisation of tax collection.”
