Lagos PDP gov candidate promises power rebates, cheaper housing

Lagos' Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Deji Doherty, has announced his intention to provide electricity cost relief to residents and businesses and make housing more affordable if elected governor. Doherty outlined his 10-point manifesto during the Lagos Governorship Debate, emphasizing his plans to prioritize policies that benefit residents from his first day in office.

Doherty highlighted electricity costs as a significant challenge to industrial growth, stating that businesses struggle to remain profitable under the current tariff structure. He proposed implementing rebates on power, particularly electricity, to alleviate the burden on residents and businesses.

Regarding housing, Doherty questioned the feasibility of constructing 150,000 houses within four years due to the high cost of building materials and land in Lagos. Instead of making unfulfillable promises, his administration would create a research team to explore ways of reducing construction costs. Doherty assured that while he couldn't control material and land prices, his team would focus on lowering the cost of building a bungalow compared to larger houses.

Doherty also expressed concerns about the lack of basic infrastructure and social amenities in Lagos' communities, particularly in the state's riverine areas. He noted that the state comprises between 26 and 28 islands, many of which lack primary healthcare facilities and other essential services. Doherty pledged to address these issues as part of his 10-point agenda, which also includes education, transportation, and healthcare.