From
the beginning, Governor Babajide Olusola.Sanwo-Olu revealed his plans
to transform Lagos State with his T.H.E.M.E.S AGENDA, which is the
acronym for 6 pillars in activating outstanding growth and development
in the state for the benefits of the people.The Governor, through this
unique agenda, has demonstrated high level of purpose of achieving
greatness and depth of understanding towards good governance like his
predecessors, who have ruled the state in the past. For better
understanding of why Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu should be given a
chance to continue the good works he started in Lagos through
T.H.E.M.E,S here is an outline that explains the 6 pillars of creativity
and strategic deliverables attached to making Lagos a true Centre of
Excellence in Nigeria.
T- Traffic
Management and Transportation: The Lagos State government, under the
leadership of Governor Sanwo-Olu has integrated road, rail and water
transportation systems, and continuously rehabilitated the bad roads and
expanded the road infrastructures around all the 20 Local Government
Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.
There
has been tremendous improvement in navigation on the Lagos waterways to
facilitate water transportation, and efforts are being made to complete
the Blue Line rail and begin the Red Line rail immediately. The
administration has launched hundreds of Lagos Taxis Cars and Mini Buses
to support the masses with better and affordable means of
transportation.
Traffic
management is number one on the to-do list of the state government,
hence the government has a robust plan to alleviate the traffic
challenges in the state as a metropolitan city and an emerging megacity
with all the accompanying facilities found in most developed cities in
the world such as Dubai, New York, Paris, Amsterdam, London and others.
H-
Healthcare and Environment: The healthcare system in Lagos State has
been anchored on a comprehensive health insurance scheme for all
residents to make healthcare accessible and affordable. And the state
government has ensured that most healthcare institutions; primary,
secondary and tertiary are fully equipped, well managed and operational.
This is seen in prompt healthcare delivery now found in most government
hospitals all over the city.To keep our environment clean and
sustainable, the Lagos State Government has provided better waste
management and disposal facilities. The waste management system has
also intensified drive on waste disposal, where people who properly sort
their waste for collection are rewarded.
E-
Education and Technology: The Lagos State Government has planned to
increase access to public education in Lagos, especially primary and
secondary schools. The state government has embarked on immediate and
mass renovation of public schools in the state to make them conducive
for learning in all the Local Government Areas and Local Council
Development Areas (LCDAs).Teachers have been trained and retrained to
upskill them for modern teaching methodology. The government has also
engaged and encouraged tech start-ups to flourish and ensure that the
children are in tune with the technological advancements found in most
parts of the world.
M- Making
Lagos State a 21st Century Economy: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s
government has identified the private sector as the main driver for the
growth of the economy, so the government has helped tremendously in
boosting the private sector through the provision of an enabling
environment for business to thrive in Lagos State.
The
state government established the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund
(LSETF), which had created more than 400,000 new jobs and also added
150,000 new taxpayers to the tax bracket.
It had also supported about 200,000 businesses till date.
MSME
Loan Programmes: the fund aims to promote entrepreneurship in Lagos
State by improving access to finance and strengthening the institutional
capacity of MSMEs. The loan scheme, which attracts only 5% interest
rate per annum, is available to business owners who are registered
residents of Lagos State.
LSETF
Employability Support Project: The LSETF Employability Support Project,
is designed to help tackle the unemployment scourge among the youths by
helping them gain requisite knowledge and skill through vocational
trainings and subsequently helping them get job placements. It aims to
train 10,000 young people to gain skills in 6 sectors namely –
Manufacturing, Hospitality, Entertainment, Construction, Health and
Garment Making that will help place them in line for immediate
employment.
Lagos Innovates: Lagos
Innovates, is a series of programs designed for the benefit of
technology- and innovation-driven startups in Lagos State. By providing
access to high quality infrastructure, learning, capital and networks,
Lagos Innovates hopes to cement Lagos’ position as the leading
destination for startups in Africa
LSETF Achievements:
MSME Loan Programmes: 11,027 businesses have been funded to the tune of 7.20 billion naira.
LSETF Employability Support Project: Trained 5,403 beneficiaries and placed 2,587 in jobs.
Lagos
Innovates: Issued 97 workspace to startup businesses in the tech space,
created over 97,000 new jobs and added over 48,000 new taxpayers to the
bracket.
The government has also
simplified access to government services to make the sector thrive.
Power supply and Housing are issues that are already on the front burner
for the Lagos State government to deal with. These are being achieved
through strategic policies, proper planning and required efforts that
will manifest in the nearest future.
E-
Entertainment and Tourism: We all know that Lagos is the hub of culture
and entertainment. The state government has created a viable and
vibrant economy with tourism and entertainment. Over time, Lagos State
have organized Greater Lagos Fiesta, Lagos Digital Party, Lagos Comedy
Show and many more. The government has developed all tourism sites and
assets in Lagos state and created a tourism calendar around important
events such as the Eyo Festival, Lagos Global World Theatre Day, Eko
Film Festival and Lagos Fishing Festival and Lagos Cultural Day such
that it will attract local and international tourists.
The
state government is already working with the entertainment and fashion
industry; and also working with the private sector to have world class
production outfits in Lagos, where producers won't need to travel for
post- production works.
S-
Security and Governance: An integral part of the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda is
upholding of law and order which is captured under Security and
Governance. The Lagos State government has laid down solid plan to clamp
down on criminals, land grabbers and other trouble makers to reduce
crime and all form of security threat to the bearest minimum. No doubt,
Governor Sanwo-Olu administration has zero tolerance for criminals, and
it is poised to ensure that the poor and downtrodden in the society
have access to justice through good governance in the state.
More so,
looking at the successes of the current government, you would surely
agree with millions of Lagosians that governance is a continuum; and the
best way forward is to give Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu the deserved
chance to be re-elected as the Governor of Lagos State in 2023 as
T.H.E.M.E.S is the KEY progress drivers for desired growth and
development to make Lagos the 21st Century economy against all
odds.Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has proven to be a round peg in
a round hole.
He
is a compassionate leader, a man of his words; who has never left any
stone unturned in his determination to ensure that Lagos State maintains
its position as the centre of excellence, where things are happening
and the best place to be in Nigeria. Moving forward, Governor Sanwo-Olu
deserves a second term, not for self aggrandizement, but it is a way to
show that he can do it again bigger and better and that a winning team
should be encouraged to continue what they have started.
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