Lagos State All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, counterpart, Jimi Agbaje, on Friday expressed divergent views on how best to develop the state.
Both spoke at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Private Sector Interactive Forum with governorship candidates in Lagos.
Kicking off the conversation, Sanwo-Olu noted that government being a continuum, he would continue all projects started by his predecessor for the benefit of citizens.
According to him, he has a holistic plan for traffic, from road repairs and construction to opening up more means of transportation through waterways and rail, to training and empowerment of traffic officials.
He said the PDP Government at the centre had in the past denied the state access to the existing railway corridor, leading to the creation of Blue line railway from Okokomaiko to CMS.
“For years during the PDP rule, we asked the Federal Government for access to the existing railway corridor, but it was denied. This led us to create the Blue line railway from Okokomaiko to CMS.
“We need to complete the track because Lagos needs a transportation system outside roads that can move thousands of people daily,” he said.
On the issue of healthcare, the APC candidate insisted that the Lagos Health Insurance Scheme would ensure access to affordable healthcare for all and help build a health care structure to be proud of.
On what he will do about the perennial power problem, Sanwo-Olu promised to take the state away from the national grid, pledging that within six months of his assuming office, he would deliver about 1000 Megawatts of power supply to the State.
According to him, with about 2000 Megawatt of consistent power supply, the power needs of Lagosians would be solved.
He also assured that prepaid meters would be provided to residents to ensure accountability and transparency even as he promised that he would partner with distribution companies to ensure they increase their power supply to the state.
Sanwo Olu, arguing that a well thought out regulatory and legal framework is strategic to drive Public Private Partnership (PPP) operations in the State, said when elected, he would deploy global best practices in the engagement of the OPS.
Speaking further, he said that his administration would be innovative about Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, in a way that would not put much pressure on the citizens.
Noting that the private sector remained the engine of economic growth, he pledged to continue in creating an environment for the private sector to thrive in the state, saying: “As a former Commissioner for Commerce & Industry in Lagos, I know that proper collaboration with the private sector leads to more job creation, improved industrial harmony and boosts investment.”
Responding, the PDP candidate, Agbaje, noted that 20 years of APC governance in the state, has only left residents with horrific traffic congestion; especially with trailers parked on bridges along Costain to Apapa.
He proposed multi tiered roads pointing out that the Lagos railproject has been on for too long.
“Lagos is one of the two mega-cities of the world that does not have a multi-modal transportation system. It is time we start thinking of multi tiered roads; the world is moving, we cannot afford to be different.
“The rail project has been on for too long. We need to have big ideas to address problems that are peculiar to Lagos.
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“The way things are presently is not sustainable and it has failed to deliver the sort of impact in the lives of ordinary citizens that should be expected from an economy of Lagos’ magnitude,” he said.
Agbaje said that the sort of development that Lagos requires should be anchored on improving liveability, expanding the economy and retooling it for the 21st century.
On power, Agbaje promised to improve power by 1000 megawatts within his first 18 months, and encourage investment in embedded power projects toward enhancing power supply.
Agbaje took a swipe at the present Health Insurance Scheme run by the state saying that making it mandatory was another form of taxation that has been making life difficult for the masses.
He said his administration would have significant developments in health, waste management, education, transportation management and in making use of technology to solve problems.
Agbaje promised to develop “an ocean economy” and a knowledge driven economy” to enhance the economic well-being of the state and its citizens.
President of LCCI, Babatunde Ruwase, in his remarks said that engaging the candidates would guide the private sector’s electoral choice as quality of political governance has serious implications for investment environment.
