We’re bringing bold SHELTER plan to Lagosians – Agbaje
Barely three weeks to the April 11 Governorship election in Lagos State, the standard-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has said that he came up with his manifesto entitled: “Bold Ideas, New Opportunities,” in order to ensure Lagos is better managed, than it is currently done. Unveiling his manifesto recently, the PDP governorship candidate said that Lagos has been recognised by the vast number of residents to be in bad shape, thus his decision to embark on town hall meetings across the 20 local government areas of the state.
Agbaje explained that his decision to hold town hall meetings is to meet with artisans, market women, religious leaders, community leaders and the youths “so that we can sit down with and get their views on how to move this state forward.”
He has framed an eight point agenda towards realising his vision for a better Lagos framed as SHELTER.
The key elements of the SHELTER plan are S- Security, H- Health of the body and environment, E – Education and Youth empowerment, L – Leadership and Governance, T – Transportation, E – Economic empowerment and R – Residential Housing.
Flagship policies
Jimi Agbaje
For Agbaje, “the different aspects of the SHELTER framework work together to ensure that our vision is achieved. In every area of the framework, we have our flagship policies which we believe will be catalysts for the dynamic change that will enable Lagos leapfrog competitor cities in Nigeria and abroad.”
According to him, “the flagship policies will be delivered effectively through our policy themes. We intend to give the people value for money; build an efficient and dynamic economy for today and the future; do things differently and effectively and; develop a kinder more humane Lagos. These policies will have an effect on the key areas of the economy.”
Picking holes in the APC-led administration’s handling of the state, Agbaje noted the dismal performance of the state in the education, healthcare, housing, youth empowerment and the civil service sectors among others.
He also accused the Lagos State government of failing to improve the education sector saying “education is the key that provides access to opportunity – the evidence is irrefutable. Therefore I am alarmed that after a decade and a half of administration by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the overwhelming majority of our children still do not pass WAEC exams.”
He vowed to make corrections in that regard if voted into officer.
“Our Lagos will have the development of our children and youth – across all ages – at the forefront. Basic education will be free and of demonstrably high quality, matching the best standards in the world. We will also ensure that within these four years all our children attend and stay in school. They will achieve skills and knowledge driven by current and future needs and demands of industry and the economy,” he said.
A pharmacist, Agbaje says he is disturbed that Lagos still contends with inadequate health facilities.
In addition, he said “whilst we remain a commercial and industrial hub, there is little doubt that our economy can do a lot better. On-going expansion and upgrade of infrastructure must be accelerated to enhance the competitiveness of our economy and ultimately the creation of jobs for our people.
The water resources of our State must be harnessed to add the dimensions of an Ocean Economy to our current character.”
To further encourage investment in the state and create employment, he promised that “entrepreneurial governance will be the approach of the PDP Administration inaugurated in Lagos after the forthcoming elections.
Agbaje’s key policy themes
Citizens’ resources to be used efficiently and transparently with full accountability to the people
All projects must have clear, achievable goals and are monitored from inception to completion
Value for money, doing things differently and effectively
Build an efficient and dynamic economy for today and the future
A kinder, more humane Lagos
Sustainable development that focuses on the needs of Lagos as a megacity today and in the future
State policies that are people friendly and are always for the benefit of the people and the state.
Source: Vanguard
