THE governoship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has rolled out what he called, “a 24/7 economic agenda” that will transform Lagos to a mega city model.
Unveiling his plans to reporters, Ambode promised to set up a Lagos Employment Trust Fund (LETF) with N25 billion over the next four years, adding that this will enhance access to finance of a minimum of N1billion yearly across the five divisions in the state.
He said: “That will allow our youths and unemployed people have access to adequate finance for entrepreneurial ventures. We will protect the growth of our small and medium scale enterprises by providing tax incentives. We will implement government policies that will encourage the private sector to employ more citizens and foster economic development.”
To boost internally generated revenue (IGR) in the state, Ambode said the government will improve the collection mechanism through e-governance.
He also plans to pursue a fully integrated transport management system that combines roads, rail, water and walkways to ease the movement of residents in the city centres and the suburbs.
“We will introduce and establish officially designated bus stops/routes in Lagos. We will improve on traffic with the construction of new roads and maintenance of existing ones, as well as placing directional signs in strategic places. We will also increase the use of our waterways through channeling and dredging,” he said.
With the risingdemand for housing in the state, Ambode promised to create communities that are self-sustainable across the state. He also said his administration will improve on the current policy of home ownership through Lagos HOMS and provide ownership options, such as Rent to Own Programme (ROP).
“This will allow for easy access and reduce congestion at the city centres. We will provide affordable housing schemes by collaborating, through Public Private Partnerships (PPP), to increase the available housing stock. “Our government will also improve on the current policy of home ownership through Lagos HOMS and provide ownership options, such as Rent to Own Program (ROP),” he said
In the area of security, Ambode plans to increase funding to security in order to sustain the success recorded by the present administration.
He said: “We will boost the State Security Fund to scale up the successes recorded so far. We will continue with the city lighting project by expanding the Independent Power Project (IPP) to enhance the security of lives and property across the state. In addition, our government will embark on the acquisition of the latest advanced security communications technology that will track and monitor the daily activities of the state.”
Ambode also promised to encourage collaboration between the private sector and the government such that the partnership will help government identity areas of growth.
“We will encourage the creation of a Corporate Social Responsibility Trust Fund (CSR-TF) by the private sector, to be managed by a Board of Trustees charged with the responsibility of identifying growth opportunities yearly and financing such opportunities to further boost economic development across sectors and communities in the state,” he promised.
Top on his agenda too education. Ambode plans to provide free education up to the senior secondary school level to ensure that no child is denied the right to education. He also plans to provide one meal per day to students to guarantee a healthy learning environment.
He prmised to seek collaboration with the private sector to ensure the sustainability of the state bursary and scholarship initiatives for tertiary institutions, capacity development for the informal sector as well as skill acquisition through technical and vocational training for residents of the state.
“We will encourage the private sector to partner with government in this regard as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. We will also deepen skills,” he said.
He also said health sector will not be left unattended to since health is wealth.
To make this happen, he promised to introduce free medical care for children from birth to age six and pregnant women on both pre-natal and ante-natal care.
He said: “Our senior citizens will also enjoy free healthcare from 65 years onwards.We will improve on the quality of Primary Healthcare system and make it more accessible, thereby reducing the overdependence on our general hospitals. We will activate emergency services in all our hospitals.”
On agriculture, he said his government will build on current administration’s efforts by opening up the untapped aquatic and seafood resources in the state.
“We will provide incentives for agricultural processing companies, thereby providing employment for our bulging youth population,” he added.
While the current administration has changed the face of tourism, culture and sports, Ambode promised to increase the avenues to showcase the distinct and diverse culture of the state through the establishment of museums and heritage centers. He added that water parks for children and youths will be created in the state by utilising prominent natural resource in the state.
“To make our state a tourism destination in Africa, we will also develop our waterfront by providing recreational facilities and encourage investors to invest more in tourism infrastructure.
“Our unique cultural heritage will be promoted and enhanced to attract tourists globally. This will also create a secondary market for job creation. We will create community sport centers to encourage our youth development,” he said.
He also unveiled plans tolift the arts and entertainment sector (Nollywood) by providing grants to filsm producers in the movie and music industries to encourage growth in the sectors.
To acheive this, Ambode promised to revive the Lagos Film Office and encourage investors to build theatres, cinemas and art galleries across the state.
“We will partner with the entertainment industry to develop sustainable structures and frameworks to support interested and upcoming youths,” he promised.
