2015 LAGOS GUBER: OBAFEMI HAMZAT OUTLINES PLANS TO PARTY MEMBERS, OTHER STAKEHOLDERS

Obafemi Hamzat

Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure and a Gubernatorial aspirant for the All Progressives Congress, APC ticket in Lagos has outlined his vision for the state in a letter to party leaders and delegates. It was gathered that the letter was hand delivered by Hamzat to major stakeholders within the All Progressive Congress.  Apparently, the letter outlines his passion for Lagos and his family heritage across the state. It also provided an overview of his credentials for the position and priorities and focus areas should he be elected to contest the election on behalf of APC.
Outlining how he came to the decision to seek the APC Gubernatorial ticket, Dr Hamzat says: “Too often we ask what we can get from Nigeria; we make demands from our government rather than seeking to understand how we can add value to our society. I have asked myself what can I do for Nigeria? More importantly, what can I do for my State, Lagos? The decision to take on this responsibility comes from a deep analysis of the steps we need to take to further progress the development of our great State. How do we as a people continue to sustain the progress that Lagos is currently undergoing? I have asked myself whether I can captain a team that will deepen the achievements of the past 15 years and build a lasting legacy in a State that our children and grandchildren will be proud to call home.
I have one clear goal – sustain the development of Lagos so as to transform Lagos into Africa’s undisputed commercial capital – a State that is safe and secure, that will serve as home, workplace and a source of inspiration and enrichment for all of our residents. Lagos can be in the 2000’s what New York City represented in the 1900’s, London was in the 1800’s and Constantinople was in the 1500’s.”
He then continues by outlining the things that he believes qualify him for the position of Governor, saying: “I can point to a number of large scale and life transforming projects delivered - on time and on budget - by our government through the ministries I was fortunate enough to lead. This includes; a) The automation of government processes, which improved the way our government was able to serve the citizens and allowed public servants to efficiently carry out their operations in the State. b) The 2006 census collation, which provided the base level information necessary to implement data led solutions for many government processes. c) The introduction of our Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which has reduced journey times and increased the quality of life for millions of Lagosians; d) The ongoing Adiyan water works – the largest water works in West Africa - which will make clean water supply for a significant number of Lagosians a reality in just 6 years; and e) The Lagos blue line light rail system, a 27km rail project that will, when completed transform our state………
He concludes by outlining his priorities for governance saying; “I will, upon election, focus my energies on four main areas over the next four years. 1. ​First, service delivery: freeing up more money for services and maintaining the biggest infrastructure investment programme in West Africa, with continuing focus on rail, roads and water transportation to link our suburbs and decongest our streets. 2. Second, job creation: policies to fast track the creation of jobs for all levels of workers and support for our brightest entrepreneurs. 3. Third, knowledge and skills:  building a workforce and an economy that will enable Lagos to compete in an increasingly competitive international marketplace. 4. Fourth, health and well-being: ensuring that our people have access to basic health services and can live in a safe environment, reassured by a security system that works.
My fellow Party members, the choice before us is straightforward; we can continue the great work being done in Lagos, seize the future that we have all dreamt of, or we can risk everything we have achieved. 2015 is a crucial year for our State and our nation and the stakes are high……..”
Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has emerged as one of the frontrunners for the APC ticket in Lagos, running on his record as a member of the Lagos State Government Executive in the last nine years, where he has served under both Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Raji Fashola. He is believed to enjoy a wide base of support across both grass roots and within the existing administration, which is keen to ensure the continued implementation of its highly successful reform and development agenda.