December 16, 2014 – Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola today made a definite statement that come May, 2015, the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC),Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode will step into his shoes when he handed over the Lagos State 13 year development plan to him.
He said he handed over the development plan to Ambode hoping that he will succeed him.
Akinwunmi did not make any statement at the ceremony neither did he grant journalists any interview.
Fashola who said he learnt a lot from what he saw when he assumed office said he knew everybody from director to permanent secretary because he was part of the system adding that it worked well for him in terms overcoming bottlenecks in administration.
Fashola also maintained that the economy of the state will not collapse due to fall in the price oil in the international market.
Fashola who was speaking at the presentation of the thirteen year plan which covers 2012-2025 said the economy has been diversified such that any fall in the price of oil will not affect the economy.
He explained that the development is premised on four key pillars of economic development, infrastructural renewal, social development and sustainable environment.
He explained that the presentation is in line with its vision of becoming Africa’s model megacity.
A synopsis of the Lagos state Development Plan, LSDP, shows that it is aimed at providing an overall strategic frame work and direction for achieving the lofty vision of being a safe, secure and productive global economic and financial hub.
According to the state’s helmsman, Mr Babatunde Fashola, the foundation for the plan has already been laid in development projects in sectors including housing, agriculture, transportation, and other infrastructural renewal.
Fashola who explained that Lagos has what it takes to put Nigeria among leading economies in the world adding that residents have a role to play in the successful implementation of the LSDP.
Buttressing this, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ben Akabueze stated that the LSDP is a plan for the people based on a framework through which all sectors of the economy would contribute to improve quality of life.
Akabueze said every ministry, departments and agencies would be compelled to produce a performance management report.
In a remark, the Mr Shina Fagbenro-Byron of the UK Department for International Development, DFID, described the plan as a legacy of the Fashola administration and urged the government to focus on four key areas of coordination, communication, monitoring and evaluation of the plan with the cooperation of all stakeholders.
Speaking in the same vein, a representative of the World Bank country Director, Priya Hoffman noted that declining oil prices and reduced allocation from the federal purse would be a challenge to the implementation of the plan.
Representatives of other International agencies at the occasion were unanimous in the submission that the Lagos State Development Plan is a symbolic step, which will enable the state to maintain its vital role as Nigeria and Africa’s economic hub.
