A vision for a greater Lagos, are you in?
Welcome I would say
to the newly sworn in duo of Gov. Jide Sanwo-Olu & his deputy, Mr. Femi
Hamzat.
Lagosians, all hands
must now be on deck to work with this administration to make the next 4 years
count for greatness. Remember you queuing under the sun, for hours to vote in early
February 2019? That was your investment, your franchise. Well then, this is
a tenable social contract and becoming active, law abiding, tax paying citizens
is the only fulfilling reward –Let’s be at alert, speak out, act right, visibly
joining ourselves to the business of governance from day one, it takes two, the
Government and the citizenry.
One quick win so far by Governor Sanwo-Olu at just a day in office, is the signing of the Executive Order increasing the working hours of LASTMA to 11pm by introducing a shift system, with a long term plan of incorporating new technology. Surely enforcement perhaps will be easier. But the very crucial aspect to the success of the vision for a greater Lagos which Gov. Sanwo-Olu knows all too well is crucially “Behavioral change via sensitization and enforcement of laws and policies". This is will be tough love but much needed stance for our own good.
Lagosians do your part, be informed and aware, and for example get to understand T.H.E.M.Es, the 6 Pillars of the development agenda of the new administration. Ignorance is no excuse, it’s a higher price to pay, so get acquainted with it and how it affects you, or the opportunities thereof.
Lagos T.H.E.M.E.S aligns with the global 17 sustainable development goals that bothers on the 5 Pillars of - People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership, Lagos understands global partnership and complying with global policies such as the sustainable development goals gives a light bulb moment in the minds of potential future investors worth their salt, both locally and internationally, as the issue of sustainability can no longer be ignored and in fact T.H.E.M.E.S core are GOALS 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11. For measurable indices of growth, T.H.E.M.E.S goals with targets and indicators for each pillar should guide/inform the ministerial work plan stated as line item budgets in the 2019 /20 Budget of the state, for a quick reminder of what they are Governor Sanwo-Olu’s manifesto during his campaign is a good reference point, culled below.
I look forward to the administration's robust mechanisms on citizens monitoring of implementations and evaluations across the state–that is, ongoing multi stakeholder’s engagement for timely feedback in the system- so that regularly we can take stock as its crucial partners and " in 4 years can we measure the impact made on the lives of Lagosians as tax paying financiers and custodians of the "vision for a greater Lagos”.
Remember you and I, we are Lagos.
The Lagos State Development Pillars T.H.E.M.E.S.
1. T- Traffic Management &Transportation: SDGs goals 9 &11.
·
Resolve identified gridlock points within 9 months and
strengthen state road and traffic agencies
·
2. Implement the planned integrated multi-modal
transport system to ensure all modes of transportation
·
3. Complete Phase 1 of the Blue Rail line
(from Mile 2 to Marina) by 2021 and complete the Red line, in partnership with
the Federal Government, by 2022
·
4. Expand Lagos’ major water transport routes
from six to 10 by 2021.
·
Develop Quality Bus Corridors on 10 major existing bus routes
and extend the BRT network to include areas and increase bus fleet from 800 to
2000.
2. H-Health- SDGs
goal 3.
·
Increase health spending from 8.86% to 15% of budget in line
with the Abuja Declaration
·
Ensure all 37 non-functional PHCs in the state are refurbished
and adequately equipped
·
Support LASUTH to become a medical Centre of Excellence in at
least 2 specialties
·
Reform the sanitation inspectorate to ensure clean, healthy
environment
·
Increase Lagos’ water capacity to the needed 550 million gallons
per day
·
Optimize waste management by empowering LAWMA to effectively collect
and recycle waste; increase the adoption of waste sorting practices to promote
recycling; and drive waste-to-energy initiatives in partnership with the
private sector.
3. E-Education and Technology- SDGs goal
4.
·
12. Increase budgetary allocation for
education from 12.07% to 18% during the tenure of the administration.
·
13. Scale up school rehabilitation programme
to renovate dilapidated schools and provide adequate furniture and tools for
every child in public schools in Lagos.
·
14. Leverage technology platforms to teach,
assess, test and reinforce learning by establishing 300 fully equipped and
functional computer labs in secondary schools to complement the existing 12.
·
15. Facilitate creation of ICT hubs across all
the LGAs/LCDAs within first two years
4. Making Lagos a 21st Century economy SDGs goals 1 to 17.
·
Create a conducive business environment to attract investments
and industries encouraging citizen participation and inclusion in governance,
·
Empowering the workforce and local talent to drive job and
wealth creation, especially opportunities for the youth and re positioning Lagos
as the ultimate investment destination for foreign businesses
5. Entertainment &Tourism-SDGs goals 1, 8, 9.
·
Restore all historic sites in Lagos; rebrand cultural events
like Fanti Carnival, Eyo Festival, Boat
Regatta etc. to international standards.
·
Create up to a million jobs in the creative sector; establish
the Lagos Film City in partnership with stakeholders.
6. S- Sports, Security & Governance-goal 11.
· Introduce a new sports policy for Lagos to make the sector a
viable economic platform
·
Galvanize grassroots participation in sports and revive periodic
community sports competition
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are:
1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health &Well Being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable &Clean Energy
8. Decent work & Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation
and Infrastructure.
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption &Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace Justice & Strong Institutions.
17. Partnerships for the Goals.
Abimbola Junaid is a strategist, researcher, trainer and communicator. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Policy and Administration from the University of Nottingham UK. A development practitioner with over 15 years’ experience in African Governance, Development, Parliamentary and Citizens Engagement.
Her twitter handle
is @a4arise.
Email- thinkingbee@gmail.com.
References:
Ayo Adebusoye- whaatsup account
References:
Ayo Adebusoye- whaatsup account
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