THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY (SDP) VISION FOR LAGOS STATE.

Fellow Lagosians.

Greetings.

With the conclusion of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we are now positioned to prepare for the forthcoming gubernatorial and House of Assembly Elections in all the states that constitute the Federal Republic of Nigeria

The results and outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections in Lagos State (in particular) was a paradigm shift from the past elections, where the ruling party APC had through the years being dominant, having perfected the process of ensuring victory. The BIVAS technology introduced by INEC at the just concluded elections has glaringly shown that free, fair, and credible elections can take place in our city of excellence.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Lagos State has traversed the nooks and crannies of the state through door-to-door campaigns, Town Hall Meetings, publications, media parley, and participations in Debates shown a clear understanding of the myriad of problems bedevilling our State and proof that the present government in Lagos State doesn't possess the capacity and capabilities to give effective and functional good governance.

Therefore, it is our belief and promise that the Social Democratic Party, SDP, is a veritable option for progress, functional, and incorruptible government in our dearly beloved state.

OUR VISION

1. The Environment:

i). WASTE-TO-WEALTH and creating multiple jobs, especially for our budding youth population.
ii). Promote sustainable waste management through increased funding.
iii). To create a better living environment through the implementation of environmental, health, and safety policies.
iv). To create and implement policies that target zero waste through recycling streams.
v). To target and eliminate causes of perennial flooding.

2. FOOD SECURITY.
i). Provide the enabling environment for the private sector to drive agricultural production in partnership with the government.
ii). Emphasise food production to enhance food security and reduce price.
iii). Establish produce markets with processing and preservation facilities to reduce post harvest losses and ensure that all food produced by farmers is sold.
iv). Expand the scope of small-scale producers.
v). Reorganise the State's Inputs Agency to support agency rather than solely revenue generation.
vi). Improvements in farmers' education and training on food storage and preservation techniques, introduce technology solutions to farming practices, and create incentives to attract young people.
vii). Creation of farmers markets close to farm settlements with accessibility roads to major cities in the state.

3. INFRASTRUCTURE OBJECTIVES.
I). Create an enabling environment for Independent Power Plants (IPP) to ensure a constant supply of electricity.
ii). Renewal of urban areas and create affordable housing using public, private initiatives.
iii). Reorganisation of the integrated transportation system.
iv). Build new roads with access to the hinterlands and improve on maintenance of existing roads in the state

4. SECURITY.
i). Broaden the scope of operations of a Lagos State Security Trust Funds for contributions by multinationals, financial institutions, large corporate organisations towards improvement of the welfare, kitting, purchasing of necessary equipments for efficient security services in the entire state
ii). Expansion of the CCTV technologies in most major metropolis and crime prone areas in the state.
iii). Reapprise and reform the On-The-Spot fines by mobile courts in the state for antisocial behaviour with emphasis on community services.
iv). Establish an integrated criminal records database on NIN numbers for convicted offenders.
v). Overhaul the emergency lines and hire more operators to respond promptly to calls and information on fighting and prevention of crimes.

5. EDUCATION.
i). Establish special education training schools for teachers for UBE inclusive units centres across all local governments.
ii). Prioritise investment in technical and vocational education
iii). Invest massively in science technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) schools.
iv). Train and employ teachers in technological education and provide learning and teaching infrastructure.
v). Increase funding for tertiary education
vi). Massive investment in computer and technology based public libraries in all the local governments in the state.

6. HEALTH
i). Primary Health Care:
a. Improvement of the working conditions and welfare of health services workers.
b. Expand primary health care to make it more accessible
2. General & Teaching Hospitals
a). Improvement of response time and eliminated bureaucracy to health emergencies.
b). Improvement of staff renumeration, benefits, and general welfare.
c). Build more specialist hospitals in the state.
General Health Care Needs:
d). Provide and expand affordable health insurance policy.
e). Digitalise the healthcare ecosystem, including telehealth.

7. ECONOMY.
Review and reduce multiple taxation.
Improvement of quality of life and increased citizen spending power.
Reduce State Income Tax brackets.
Increase the productivity of the workforce.

Review of Finance / Debt Servicing Agreements:

Review Agreements with a view of getting a better deal.
Reduce the costs of debt servicing.
Transparency and accountability in governance.
Ensure good value for money.
Ensuring loans are utilised based on objectives of the debt.

Establishment of more Export Processing Zones.

Creating more business export zones to boost the economy and create job opportunities.

Economy Objectives:
1. Review multiple levels of taxation and levies on small and medium scale businesses in the state to make it easier to set up businesses and encourage expansion.
2. Create incentives for business, commerce, and agricultural business growth and development through government processes and review of taxes and levies.
3. Ensure transparency and accountability in government borrowing and spending.

These and many more constitute our vision of a better Lagos State that will, with time, fulfil the indices and become a Mega City.

It is our determination that commuting and movements in the State will no longer be the nightmare that it had become and we will put in place necessary bureaucratic checks and balances to ensure the safety and integrity of high-rise buildings in the State.

It is our determination that the SDP government in Lagos State will be Service oriented and impact positively on the lives of the citizenry.

A VOTE FOR THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN LAGOS IS "HOPE FOR A BETTER STATE AND BETTER LIVEABLE STATE."

Chief Taofeek Olakunle Uthman
[Social Democratic Party, SDP, Gubernatorial Candidate, Lagos State.]