Agbaje: I will retain 37 LCDAs in Lagos

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje, on Sunday, said that he would retain the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) created by the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu administration, if elected.
He told Lagosians that he would grant greater autonomy to the LCDAs and the original 20 Local Government Areas.
This is because the LCDAs have been recognised by political parties.
Agbaje said the Governor Babatunde Fashola administration had good policies, made achievements in some areas, but recorded poor implementation of many policies due to “vested interest”.
“ Vested interest is negatively affecting the socio-economic and political life of the state. Vested interest will prefer building commercial houses to constructing low cost houses. You cannot have any project in Lagos unless you consider vested interests. It is bondage,’’ he said.
Agbaje said, if elected, his administration would construct low cost houses and offer free quality health care services through a health insurance model, in partnership with the private sector.
He said that the administration would avoid discriminating against non-indigenes and give all residents the opportunity to contribute to the state’s development.
“ PDP will do things differently. We will have the boldness to do it,’’ he said.
Agbaje also said his administration would allocate five per cent of the state procurement project for young entrepreneurs and graduates, adding that he would ensure transparent public procurement process.
The governorship candidate also said that the administration would exploit the aquatic nature of the state to develop its economy.
“ We have not tapped on the ocean resources. We will take advantage of our living in water and take what is there to build our economy.
“We will ensure that Epe and Ikorodu are national fisheries processing hubs and the focal points of the new ocean economy,’’ he said.
Agbaje said that his administration would ensure 100,000 vocational and internship places annually as well as local and international certification and standards for artisans and technicians.
He added that the administration would ensure that companies operating in the state employed a certain percentage of their workers from their host communities.
He said that the administration would avoid multiple taxes, cancel tollgates and expand the tax system by meeting the needs of the residents so that they would desire to pay tax.