Ambode APC Lagos state gubernitorial canditate releases his manifesto

Election is now around the corner. Politicians releasing different stories plus the government. Anyway this is the manifesto of Akinwunmi Ambode, the Lagos state gubernatorial candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC)
Read below

PREAMBLE
My name is Akinwunmi Ambode and I am running for the Governorship of Lagos State in the elections slated for February 2015.  I am from Epe and of the Christian faith.  I served in the Lagos State Civil Service for 27 years and retired voluntarily in 2012 as the Permanent Secretary and Accountant General of Lagos State. I am driven by my passion for and commitment to good governance, better life and socio-political tolerance.

Throughout my educational pursuits and professional career I have held positions that demanded service to others and to the society at large. In all instances, I have always given my all and delivered to the best of my ability.
I declare my readiness to serve the State and its people as Governor, with courage, forthrightness, clarity of purpose, integrity and dedication.  I hope to continue in the great strides of our indelible compatriots, such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Mobolaji Johnson, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) whose courageous, visionary and remarkable leadership lay a solid foundation for Lagos State and continue to inspire us all to make even better.
In my desire to serve, I wish earnestly to further and consolidate the vision of our dear party, All Progressives Congress (APC), a party which:
Represents change and has brought remarkable changes to Lagos State including improved infrastructure, security and service;
Craves a new Nigeria, consolidating the credentials of Lagos State as the most populous, diverse, economically and socially thriving, and the most cosmopolitan State in the Country.
Continues to ensure that Lagos State is one of the most religiously tolerant, most welcoming States to foreign investors, and unarguably the most efficiently run State in Nigeria.
Has made Lagos State an example of responsible and responsive governance.

VISION
TO MAKE LAGOS A CLEAN, SECURE, MORE PROSPEROUS STATE WITH A ROBUST ECONOMY BUILT ON SERVICE, EQUITY AND JUSTICE.

MESSAGE
Our message to the people of our dear State is LEADERSHIP, ACCOUNTABILITY, GOVERNANCE, OPPORTUNITY AND SERVICE. (L.A.G.O.S).
Our administration will provide:
Leadership- Strive to provide authentic leadership to all arms of Government; we will run a government that is responsive and all-inclusive. Build a society where the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.

Accountability- Embrace the three tenets of Probity, Accountability, and Transparency (P.A.T).

Governance – Focus on delivering good governance to our people across all sectors of the economy and strata of the Society. Continue to build a better and just society, a society where hard work and honesty are rewarded, where equity and justice prevail; where the gap between the rich and the poor give way to the provision of equal opportunities to all, and where no segment of the society develops at the expense of others.

Opportunity – Provide opportunities and possibilities for all citizens irrespective of gender, ethnicity, educational background, religious affiliation, or physical conditions. Build a society where steady economic growth occurs, where the government and our academic institutions enter a new era of understanding and co-operation.
Service – Commit to selfless service in all spheres of life; in our offices, schools, hospitals, shops, malls, restaurants, hotels, roads etc. Offer services that meet the standards and expectations of today’s world; standards that will put Lagos in the league of effective and efficiently run megalopolises of the world, with a 24/7 economy.

MISSION
Develop tourism through the provision of the necessary infrastructure and facilities to make Lagos one of the most welcoming places to tourists and foreigners.
Prioritize economic growth and development for all; where everyone has equal access to jobs, regardless of sex, gender, religion, age or physical conditions.
Pursue increased community cohesion and civic identity through participation in social, political and cultural spheres.
Provide adequate safety and effective security of lives and property.
Focus on equitable distribution of wealth, benefits and reduction in poverty with the attendant incidence of slums.  Create a State that protects the rights of all.
Improve urban living, productivity, mobility and connectivity through the provision of adequate physical and social infrastructure.
Propagate human rights protection and sustainable development.
Create a Lagos of clean air and safe streets for leisure and business; to ensure a State of prosperity, equity, fairness, justice and the rule of law.

THEME: “MAKING LAGOS WORK FOR ALL”

With a total area of 3,577km sq, Lagos State remains the smallest State of the 36 States in Nigeria. One-Fifth (22%) of this area is covered by lagoons and creeks. Notwithstanding, Lagos State remains the commercial nerve center of Nigeria. With a population estimated at about 20million equivalent of 32 African Countries combined, Lagos State is the sixth largest economy in Africa.  However, with the rebased GDP of Nigeria put at N80tr, Lagos has a per capita income of $2,900.00 compared to the national average of $1,700.00. As such, our immediate and future task is to make Lagos work for everyone. This is a task that we have committed ourselves to attaining in the next four years by focusing on the following: Security, Economy, Infrastructure, Healthcare, Social Welfare and Good Governance.

1. ECONOMY
I Job Creation

Establish an Employment Trust Fund with a commitment of N25b in four years by the government one billion naira to be accessed by each of the five divisions in the State for the next four years); Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos and Epe Divisions
Establish Small Business Loan Guarantee Scheme, to be managed by reputable stakeholders from the private sector, civil society in conjunction with government;
Encourage Corporate Lagos to participate in the Employment Trust Fund and other areas of need that will help take our Youth off the streets.
II Corporate Lagos:
Provide adequate security for local and foreign businessmen and women to operate without fear of investment losses.
Address regulatory matters on a fast-track basis with the aid of effective e-governance solutions for businesses.
Promote good corporate governance and adherence to the principles of good-governance by the State Government and all Local Governments.
Promote people-friendly community relations with Corporate Lagos. Implement existing laws and make new ones that promote the interest of all stakeholders in the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility obligations to the extent that funds are channelled directly to Trust Funds established by Government, but co-managed by private sector and other relevant stakeholders for the benefit of all.
Adhere strictly to the rule of law and quick access to courts for dispute resolution and protection of investment rights and obligations on transactions.
Ensure the removal of all multiple taxes/fees from our tax codes as a matter of urgency.
Promote legislations that reinforce equal opportunities for all in the labour market irrespective of tribe, sex or religion.
Re-invent the ‘Middle Class’ by taking deliberate actions with commensurate political will to propel the middle class into the engine room of the economic prosperity of Lagos; and
Collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to establish a credit system that is a win-win for everyone to boost trade and commerce.

III Security, Law and Order
Commit to a safe and attractive community to all residents and visitors alike by undertaking to continue support and expansion of the role of the Security Trust Fund.
Pursue the residents’ identity scheme and improvement reviews to enable an integrated solution in keeping our streets and homes safe from criminals and terrorists.
Commit to the protection of the rights of every citizen and enforcement of all laws that allow peaceful co-existence of all persons in the State.
Undertake Security Sector Reform and Justice Sector reform in the State.
Read more at http://www.mustardpressng.com/blog/read-akinwunmi-ambodes-manifesto/