....Ambode urges Lagosians to vote for
continuity
Executive
Governor of Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has said that the states'
year2019 budget would be dedicated to the completion of ongoing infrastructural
projects and creation of more jobs.
The Governor, Ambode spoke separately at the
Christmas Eve Dance organized by Yoruba
Tennis Club and Island Club, two foremost social clubs in the country on Monday
evening.
He said the budget would also be dedicated to
supporting businesses to thrive, as well as strengthening the security
architecture of the State.
Ambode said while it was gratifying that a lot
of provisions had been made for capital projects in the 2019 federal budget,
the State Government would also concentrate on scaling up infrastructure, among
other programmes to enhance growth and development.
Alluding to the positive economic projections
for Nigeria in 2019 by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he said Lagos, on
a stand-alone basis in the year under reference, would achieve four percent
growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
And that the social intervention initiatives
of both the State and Federal Governments would also go a long way to
facilitate serious reduction in unemployment rate.
“The economic outlook for 2019 is quite
positive. A lot of provision has been made for capital projects in the 2019
Federal Budget, some of which will directly impact the economy of our State and
will support our growth plans. On our part, we will concentrate on completing
existing infrastructural projects, creating more jobs, supporting our
businesses to thrive and strengthening our security infrastructure.
“According to IMF, the Nigeria GDP will grow
from 1.9% in 2018 to 2.8% in 2019. Lagos on a stand-alone basis will achieve
over 4% growth in GDP and this could be more if the congestion at the port and
the negative effect this has on the economy is addressed.
"We expect that the high rate of
unemployment will reduce with various social intervention programmes of the
State and Federal governments geared towards financial inclusion and liquidity
support to micro, small and medium enterprises,” the Governor said. Recalling
the activities of his administration in the last three and half years, Ambode
said it was particularly fulfilling that the State had made tremendous progress
in all sectors of the economy and had become more globally competitive and
strategically positioned among the major City-States worldwide.
“Three and a half years down the line, our
State has progressed in all sectors of the economy. We have charted a clear
path to the destination we have all dreamt about and desired. Today, our Lagos
has become more globally competitive and strategically positioned among the
major City-States of the world. Our State has become a top destination for
business and tourism and it can only get better.
“One of the key promises I made at my
inauguration on May 29th, 2015 was to make our State work for all; to spread
development from the already congested City centre to other parts of the State
with massive infrastructural development. The thinking has been to make every
part of the State economically liveable.
“We have undertaken projects in all sectors of
the economy with the sole intention of making life better for our people. All
of these and similar initiatives were made possible by the personal taxes of
high net worth residents of our State represented at this gathering which
account for a significant percentage of our IGR and I want to use this
opportunity to thank you so much for providing the resources, which have
empowered us to make a positive difference in the lives of all citizens of our
State,” he said.
Besides,
the governor said it was obvious that the State could not afford a break in
trajectory of progressive governance at this point in time, and urged the
people to continue to support the ruling party in the State.
He
cited the recently launched Lagos Health Insurance Scheme designed to guarantee
access to quality healthcare delivery for all Lagosians, saying it was
instructive that the Bill for the scheme was signed into law by his
predecessor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, while the process for its implementation was
kick-started by his administration.
“This is the beauty in continuity and we have
the assurances of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governorship candidate of All
Progressives Congress (APC) in the State that the initiative will be sustained.
“Lagos State cannot afford the risk of a
break in the trajectory of progressive governance at this crucial stage of
development. The future is bright and assured. We must maintain continuity of
progress in the State,” he said.
Ambode
also commended the clubs for their immense contributions to the development of
the State, and charged them to continue to play key part in taking Lagos into a
brighter and more prosperous future.
In their respective addresses, Chairman of
Island Club, Mr. Olabanji Oladapo and his counterpart in Yoruba Tennis Club,
Professor Adetokunbo Fabamwo commended the governor for the various
infrastructural projects executed in the clubs, saying it was laudable that the
Governor kept his promise.
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