Now That Ambode Has Come

By Tayo Ogunbiyi

“Ambo o, Ambo, Eko sese bere ni o Ambo o” (we are coming, we are coming, the goodness of Lagos has just begun, we are coming). The campaign signature tune of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the Governor of Lagos State, portrays the image of a man coming to the Ikeja House, Alausa, with a mission. It depicts a man on a journey who has his eyes clearly fixed on his destination. His campaign’s catch word, AMBO (we are coming), triggered widespread expectations among the people. They became expectant and were quite eager to see the man that is coming and what he would do when he comes.

AMBO means different things to diverse people. To those who had witnessed the eight years of transformational governance of Ambode’s illustrious predecessor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and its attendant positive impacts on the people, AMBO could mean you have not seen anything yet. It could mean a new era of transformation. Whatever it is that AMBO means to various people, the truth of the matter, however, is that Lagosians have waited long enough for the moment to come. And now that AMBO has finally come, the stakes are definitely high while expectations vary.

One critical sector where Ambode is expected to touch the people is  power. The centrality of power to the economy of Lagos State and, indeed, that of any state or country, cannot be over-emphasised. Being the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria and West Africa, Lagos requires stable power supply for rapid social-economic growth. The power situation in the country remains largely below what is required, despite billions of dollars spent by the Federal Government to improve the sector. In Lagos State, especially in the current democratic dispensation, the vision has always been to make Lagos Africa’s Model Megacity and Global Economic and Financial Hub. This can only become a reality if every minute of the 24 hours in a day is effectively utilized across all sectors in the state. For this to become a reality, power supply has to be stable.

The challenge before the Ambode Administration in this respect is how to sustain and improve on the power situation as bequeathed unto him by his predecessor.  The outgone government established Independent Power Plants, IPP, at key locations across the state to improve power. This is quite strategic as the power requirement of Lagos was estimated at about 10,000-12,000 MW, a sharp contrast to the less than 1,000MW available to Lagos state from the national grid. This situation has propelled many people to self-help, compelling them to be generators of their own electricity, resulting in emergence of all manner of domestic power generating sets. This has resulted in very high cost of electricity which unfortunately accounts for 30 per cent of operating costs of any business.

Currently, five IPPs have been established and commissioned for use at Ikorodu, Akute, Lagos Island, Lekki and Ikeja. As it is often the case with every people oriented programme, the provision of these power plants is already having a positive impact on the economy of the state. Some of the helpful spin-offs of this include the fact that essential services could now be accessed into the very deep hours of the night. Not only are night businesses now running and giving impetus for socio-economic growth, nite clubs, hotels, hospitality facilities have been given a new lease of life in the state. So, now that Ambode has come, it is expected that more IPPs would be established at vital locations in the state to accelerate socio-economic development. This is one of the ways the coming of Ambode could add value to the lives of the people.

Public security is the function of government that ensures the protection of citizens, organizations and institutions against threats to their well-being – and to the prosperity of their communities. Unfortunately, these are really not the best of times for our dear country in terms of public security and safety. The general feeling of safety among the populace is at its lowest ebb and the fear of bombs has become the beginning of wisdom as nobody knows when and where the next catastrophe will occur.

Nigeria is currently experiencing many security related issues. It is in order to ensure the security of life and properties that the previous administration created the Lagos State Security Trust fund, a Public-Private initiative, saddled with the responsibilities of providing the needed fund to equip and empower members of the state police command to tackle crime and insecurity. Now that Ambode has come, most Lagosians would want him to concentrate on the security of life and property across the state. Aside other creative measures that his administration might want to put in place for improved security in the state, it would not worthwhile for him to strengthen and enlarge the scope of operation of the Lagos Security Trust Fund.

Job and wealth creation is another means the coming of Ambode could excite the people, especially the youth. t Nigeria’s population is over 140 million. But then 50% of Nigerians are unemployed, or worse still, at least 71% of Nigerian youths are unemployed. This is particularly disturbing and counterproductive because at least 70% of the population of this country are youths. One can only conclude that unemployment poses a threat to the development, security and peaceful coexistence of the country. Consequently, many people would want the new Governor to focus on issues, policies, programmes and projects that would lead to the creation of more jobs for the teeming population of unemployed Nigerian youth, which grows by the day. Fortunately, Ambode has started off quite appreciably in this direction as he has announced the  creation of a Ministry of Wealth and Job Creation.

Now that Ambode has come, many wait on him to fulfil that promise.  One other area through which the coming of Ambode could help in creating more jobs is tourism development. Tourism is a veritable instrument for socio-economic development. It impacts directly on the economy through the provision of resources and income that could be deployed to enhance economic growth, accelerate development and reduce poverty. Similarly, it is a good public relations mechanism through which a city, state or country could attract needed foreign investment. Without doubt, Lagos offers a wide variety of tourist attractions in the country. These include its historical sites, extended and roomy river and ocean beaches ideal for relaxation and other water sports, rich and varied handicrafts and other vibrant products depicting or expounding of native arts and lifestyle.

However, many of these attractions are still mostly unexplored. It is, therefore, important that Ambode focuses on these unexplored potentials to better the lot of youth. But, perhaps, most importantly, now that Ambode has come, all hands must be on deck by all stakeholders in the Lagos Project to guarantee the progress of Lagos. Lagos is home to all. So, everyone, irrespective of tribal, ethnic, religious and social affiliations must unite and work together to ensure that the coming of Ambode profits all. This is the only way that the prosperity of Lagos can be guaranteed and preserved.

•Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.