Peter Obi, the Labor Party (LP) presidential candidate, has unveiled his long-awaited manifesto.
The 72-page manifestotitled “It’s Possible: Our Compact with Nigerians”, was released on Sunday.
The manifesto listed seven priority areas that Obi’s administration would focus on if elected president.
Here are some of the highlights from the manifesto.
FROM CONSUMPTION TO PRODUCTION
One of the manifesto’s priorities is to shift the focus from production to consumption by creating a production-centric economy, driven by an agrarian revolution and export-oriented industrialization.
The former governor of Anambra promised to “aggressively” pursue policies and programs that will improve the productivity of all sectors of the Nigerian economy.
He added that his administration would create programs for young people to achieve greater synergy between their skills and talents.
On diversifying the economy, Obi said his administration will increase the export potential of the country’s agriculture and natural resources value chain.
“We will achieve this through targeted export incentives and deliberate actions in: a. Intensify the development of manufacturing and processing technology capabilities in primary commodity value chains where we have a comparative advantage,” the manifesto states.
“b. A controlled program of targeted funding for entrepreneurs leveraging capacity development as outlined above.
“c. A radical reform of our logistics and distribution systems, including ports, customs and trade facilitation instruments to increase the competitiveness of our products and the ease of doing business and reduce the high trade costs that have hampered our non-oil export competitiveness.
PERMANENT END OF BANDITRATION AND INSECURITY
The LP presidential candidate reiterated his commitment to bringing a “definitive end” to the relentless banditry, insurgency, kidnappings and cross-border terrorism.
He promised to increase the numbers of the armed forces, the police and other security agencies, and to finance them adequately in order to strengthen their capacities to respond to security threats.
“Undertake institutional reforms to secure Nigerians, which consist of four initiatives carried out simultaneously; reform the security sector, with particular emphasis on refocusing the military on external threats and border protection, and the police on internal security threats and law enforcement,” says part of the manifesto.
“Quick, firm and fair prosecution of criminals, bandits and terrorists to end impunity; better coordination between security agencies to improve operational efficiency; a fair and transparent administration of justice based on the rule of law.
Speaking on his quest to unite the country, Obi said he will ensure that the policies and conduct of his administration reflect the firm commitment to fostering a united Nigeria.
He said he would make deliberate efforts to “re-create a sense of patriotism, shared ownership and responsibility for nation building, integration and cohesion” among Nigerians.
INTRODUCE THE MINIMUM HOURLY WAGE
Obi promised to scrap the current national minimum wage wage structure in which workers are paid on a monthly basis and replace it with a “productivity-based national hourly minimum rate”.
The LP presidential candidate said private and public sector employers would pay their workers based on their actual productivity.
The manifesto promises to “solve the problem of the national minimum wage by removing the existing wage structure and introducing a national minimum rate based on hourly productivity, whereby public and private sector employers should pay employees according to their actual productivity. “.
“We will drive legislation to retain a national minimum wage with binding effect and enforcement in all state and local governments in Nigeria,” he added.
“This includes the criminalization of non-payment of wages, salaries, pensions, rights, benefits and violation of collective agreements.
“This will reduce poverty and inequality and strengthen the social solidarity necessary for a development market.”
RESTRUCTURING THROUGH LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
In the 72-page manifesto, Obi said his administration will “critically review” the 68 items on the exclusive list and move the agreed-upon items to the concurrent list.
He promised that in the first year of his administration he would start with the immediate implementation of the Stephen Oronsaye report, which recommended the merger of some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“Review all regulatory agencies in Nigeria with a plan to gradually move away from a bureaucratic approach to incentive regulation based on cost-benefit analysis,” the manifesto reads.
“In this regard, we will establish the Regulatory Review Office within the Executive Office of the President to review and harmonize proposed regulations to ensure that they pass cost-benefit analysis and improve economic efficiency and social justice before their enactment.
“To further pursue the inclusion of our customary laws (norms and values – with respect to their compatibility with our constitution) in the content of our formal law and in the administration of justice.
“For example, reforms will be pursued so that our traditional laws/rulers are properly integrated into the formal/legal/governance system.”
WORLD CLASS INFRASTRUCTURE FOR POWER, RAIL AND ROAD
The former governor promised to “build extensive and world-class infrastructure for efficient power supply, rail, road and air transport and a network of pipelines, through integrated public-private partnerships and entrepreneurial governance of the sector. audience”.
He said his administration will provide adequate and accessible electricity to all Nigerians to improve their livelihoods.
Obi promised to launch a solar energy revolution in the north of the country to achieve uninterrupted power supply in the region by the end of 2024.
SCHOLARSHIPS, RESEARCH, QUALITY HEALTH AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION
The LP presidential candidate said his administration would introduce a “No Child Left Behind” education policy.
He added that he will address legislation guiding how to access funding from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), in order to remove bottlenecks. current strangulation.
On health policy, he pledged to provide health insurance coverage to “133 million of the poorest Nigerians including pregnant women, children, the elderly and the disabled”.
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