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Ambode Calls for Proper Legislation to Improve Nigeria Economy

By Kehinde Olatunji
27 April 2017   |   4:14 am
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state yesterday called on all the tiers of government in Nigeria to fast track people-driven laws and legislation to further get the country out of economic recession.

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state yesterday called on all the tiers of government in Nigeria to fast track people-driven laws and legislation to further get the country out of economic recession.

The governor who opined that since democracy is government of the people, added that legislation that will take the people out of poverty ought to be given prompt attention.

Ambode who said this during a courtesy by the Chairman Ad-Hoc Committee on economic recession, Dr. Olabode Ayorinde and his committee members, noted that a sense of purpose in the country’s physical and monetary policies will create a convergence to take the nation out of recession.

He admonished governments to engage in public spending, adding that such actions would be of huge benefits to the people especially the low income earners in the country who are mostly affected by the economy downturn.

He said: “In the last two years we have done so much to make sure that the impact of the economic recession is not really felt by the people of the state. We decided to intensify on our capital expenditure and instruments to reflate the economy. We believe that’s the right thing to do and that’s why we have made sure that throughout our budget last year, we expended over 60% of the budget to look after expenditure.

“In a recession, government have to keep doing public spending that public spending will sustain the people especially the majority and those of low income earners. It will keep them in Job because for every contract or construction that you see in the nooks and crannies of Lagos, there is a brick layer that is employed, there’s a driver that is driving the lorry load of sand, there is a food seller that is giving the workers food; a minimum of five thousand Naira is in the pocket of such household.
“We have not kept that development in one area of the city, we have it being replicated in all the Senatorial Zones so that those living in Badagary can earn income in Badagary and improve the economic of that axis. That’s what we think should be replicated by other states in this country and also at the national level.

“You need to spend yourselves out of recession and that’s why its appears there’s nothing like recession in the city of Lagos. We also believe strongly that we need to keep the City safe, its only fundamentaly that when you keep the City safe commerce can thrive and that’s why we keep spending on security, we believe strongly in the protection of lives and property and we also think that by doing so, other people will be able to use that peaceful atmosphere to carry out their commerce or businesses. You will also observe that the city is almost nearing the 24\7 economy, we lit up the whole city so that people can move around, such things enhances commerce and allows people to trade themselves out of recession.

“Our major advise is that there must be some sense of purpose in our physical and monetary policies in such a way that both can create a convergence to take us out of recession. Our own ploitics is politics of the people and that’s the same job u as honorable legistlature are also committed. We should be able to create legislation that will really take our people out of poverty. I want to enjoin the honorable members and the chairman, general legislative arm of the government that we fast track some of our laws or legislation that are people driven and also back us in terms of executive decisions that will take us out of the economic recession that this committee have been set up to look into”.

In his words Ayorinde, noted that the economic power of Lagos has dictated the pace of the economy in Lagos and call on other States to emulate the center of excellence.
“Some of the giant steps that Lagos state is taking now, states that have not been able to pay salary may not be able to take such steps. But we are looking at improving on the economy nationally. For instance if an industry is working in Lagos state and it is employing about five thousand, I am sure it is not only going to employ citizens of Lagos state, so it is to the benefit of Nigeria. And when our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increases, it is not going to be a factor of where it comes from. Wherever the economy have been improved it is for the good of the nation.” He said

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