Lagos guber: Agbaje, Sanwo-Olu others speak of their plans for a better Lagos at debate
As the Lagos State governorship elections continue to gather momentum, candidates of some political parties in the state, Sunday came together in a debate in their efforts to convince the people that they have what it takes to move the state forward.
The debate which was organised by the Platform, a religious and political organization, featured four of the gubernatorial candidates including
Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Owolabi Salis of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Babatunde Badamosi of the Action Democratic Party (ADP).
The candidates spoke and on wide range of issues from the traffic gridlocks in the Lagos metropolis, to power, educational sector and health.
They, however, differed on the methods and strategy to take Lagos State to the next level, while agreeing that technology was crucial to the advancement of the state and its infrastructures. Candidate of the ADP, Babatunde Badamosi, opined that the traffic nightmare that Lagosians have contended with for years can be solved by focusing on rail transport, use of barges and devolution of powers. “There are a number of ways to tackle this problem. The most obvious one is rail. Barges to lift containers from wharfs and take them to lighter terminals all around Lagos, thirdly, devolution of powers. It’s time we started this discussion about the devolution of power.” On his part, the PDP candidate, Agbaje promised to empower the local government areas and develop the grassroots, which according to him was the key in transforming the state. “We have to get the local governments working again because the grassroots play a great role in making state function optimally,” Agbaje said.
Agbaje further stressed that planning was crucial if Lagos State must overcome its problem of traffic gridlock. According to him, the idea is to have even development across Lagos State so that you are having less of movement from one end of Lagos to the other,” the pharmacist turned politician said. Sanwo-Olu of the APC on his part promised to tackle the problem of traffic gridlock if elected into office.
The APC candidate vowed to make the gridlock in the Apapa axis of the state a thing of the past in less than four months. Sanwo-Olu further promised to revolutionise education in the state and provide infrastructures and manpower across hospitals in the state.
Also speaking on the traffic congestion in the state, Owolabi Salis, candidate of the AD, said he will revive the rail transport which had been abandoned and effectively manage the resources of Lagos State. “If am elected governor I will change the transport system in the state and the government is not paying enough attention to that sector,” Salis said. Patrick Okohue
They, however, differed on the methods and strategy to take Lagos State to the next level, while agreeing that technology was crucial to the advancement of the state and its infrastructures. Candidate of the ADP, Babatunde Badamosi, opined that the traffic nightmare that Lagosians have contended with for years can be solved by focusing on rail transport, use of barges and devolution of powers. “There are a number of ways to tackle this problem. The most obvious one is rail. Barges to lift containers from wharfs and take them to lighter terminals all around Lagos, thirdly, devolution of powers. It’s time we started this discussion about the devolution of power.” On his part, the PDP candidate, Agbaje promised to empower the local government areas and develop the grassroots, which according to him was the key in transforming the state. “We have to get the local governments working again because the grassroots play a great role in making state function optimally,” Agbaje said.
Agbaje further stressed that planning was crucial if Lagos State must overcome its problem of traffic gridlock. According to him, the idea is to have even development across Lagos State so that you are having less of movement from one end of Lagos to the other,” the pharmacist turned politician said. Sanwo-Olu of the APC on his part promised to tackle the problem of traffic gridlock if elected into office.
The APC candidate vowed to make the gridlock in the Apapa axis of the state a thing of the past in less than four months. Sanwo-Olu further promised to revolutionise education in the state and provide infrastructures and manpower across hospitals in the state.
Also speaking on the traffic congestion in the state, Owolabi Salis, candidate of the AD, said he will revive the rail transport which had been abandoned and effectively manage the resources of Lagos State. “If am elected governor I will change the transport system in the state and the government is not paying enough attention to that sector,” Salis said. Patrick Okohue
