The All Progressives Congress on Wednesday in Abuja unfolded its cardinal programme that would ensure that electricity generation hit 40,000 megawatts within four to eight years of its leadership. The party, in a 31-page manifesto to Nigerians also listed the other components of the cardinal programme as war against corruption, food security, integrated transport network and free education. Others are devolution of power, accelerated economic growth and affordable health care. “Our government shall vigorously pursue the expansion of electricity generation and distribution of up to 40,000 megawatts in four to eight years.” “The country can only succeed when all of us have equal rights, where no one is above the law; where the culture of impunity is abolished and where there is a level playing field.”
The party said the programme will transform Nigeria into a progressive state anchored on social democracy. SEE MORE AFTER CUT>>>>
Last week, the Presidential Task Force on Power put the nation’s power generation at 3,311.40MW. But the APC said it would also work at making power available from renewable energy sources such as coal, solar and wind.
It stated that it would “halt the dangerous drift of Nigeria into a failed state; with a conscious plan for a post-oil-economy.” The party stated that it would restructure the country and devolve powers to the units with the best practices of federalism.
It said that its government would muster the political will to wage a stringent war against corruption. The party warned that without successfully waging war against corruption, Nigeria’s post-oil-economy would be disastrous.
On its agenda on agriculture, the APC condemned a situation where by Nigeria, which used to be a leading exporter of agricultural produce, had become import dependent.
It stated, “APC will embark on a massive and progressive re-organisation and revolution of the agricultural industry.”
The party also stated that it would embark on a national infrastructural development programme through a private-public sector partnership. Through this, it would construct 4,000 kilometres of “supper highways.”
It said that it would revatilse the railway system through modernisation and rehabilitation of tracks. APC said it would build 200 kilometres of standard railway lines annually.
It would allocate up to 10 per cent of the country’s annual budget to the education sector. APC promised to re-introduce technical and vocational education and review the 6-3-3-4 system.
In the health sector, the APC said that it would work to reduce infant mortality rate by 2019 to three per cent and reduce maternal mortality by more than 70 per cent.
The APC said that it would make free ante-natal care for pregnant women and provide free health care for babies and children up to school going age.
According to the party, the aged and people living with HIV/AIDS would also enjoy free health care.
On industrialisation
The APC said that it would conduct a state by state census of ailing industries. This, it said, would enable it to establish an industrial resuscitation fund.
The party added that it would create new development banks that would make affordable credits available for industrial growth.
On job creation, the APC said that it would maintain “a sound macro-economic policy environment, run an efficient government and preserve the independence of the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
The party said that it would make the economy one of the fastest growing economies by achieving real GDP growth of 10 per cent annually.
The APC also promised to amend the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act “to create freehold/leasehold interest in land matching grants.”
“A large part of the APC’s agenda in particular will centre on the Nigerian youth,” said Bisi Akande.
EmoticonEmoticon