Muheez Bello, a lawyer by training, a former Special Adviser on Students’ Affairs to the Lagos State Governor, and currently works for a multinational oil company as a public affairs and government advisor, is one of the increasing numbers of names from the private sector seeking to make a difference in this year’s election.
Muheez, who is eyeing the chairmanship position of Epe Local Government, said he came into politics because he believe the country need a change and that some people just have to take the responsibility of doing so; rather than be complaining and wishing things to happen.
“Have decided to get involved in politics as a means of bringing the change we have talked about for so long into reality by starting at a humble level. Epe is a very unique and strategic local government because its stands right at the tale between Lagos and every other parts of the south west-leading up to the south south, and to the south east and the place is surrounded by water”, he says, adding that he plans to turn the local government’s strategic advantage into financial gains for the benefits of its people.
Speaking on his vision for the local government, he said will run a government that will support the growth and development of small businesses, boasting that there are so many smart people in the country, particularly with technology and internet age, where software applications are driving a lot of activities.
“You find a lot of young people in Nigeria doing the same thing, getting very smart and there are no funds to support these businesses to grow. Imagine if for instance, you empower two or three entrepreneurs to set up businesses, at least, they will probably employ a minimum of two or three people; that is six or nine people off unemployment index. You can imagine if you then empower more people. I am off for supporting the growth of small businesses and unleashing the entrepreneurship potential of this country as a way to quickly get our people out of poverty. In essence, government must fund a policy that supports the growth of small businesses; granting loans, giving guarantees, providing capacity building and different kinds of ways that government can come into that area and help the economic to grow”, he told BD SUNDAY.
According to him, one of the numerous reasons the local government authorities in the country are not able to generate funds for themselves, was that they have been generally relegated in the scheme of things, a situation he describes as ‘unfortunate’.
“Local governments are the closet arm of government to the people. For that reason, I will think they require for more focus and attention. My plan is to run some sort of Public Private Partnership (PPP) that will encourage a lot of private sector participation and support in some strategic areas. I know some companies in Nigeria support education while some focus on other areas. I, having been in the private sector, I think I am sufficiently empowered to achieve some of these partnerships in terms of improving social infrastructure. Additionally, as a local government chairman, it is important for you to ensure that certain state government’s projects are implemented in your area. For instance, there is a death of infrastructure in Epe at the moment. Working with the Ministry of Works, we can get some funds allocated for that purpose.
“We also have to consider the local economic. Economic in Epe is built around the fishing market in Oluwo and this is particular to the women. If you go to Thailand, China, and North Korea for instance, you will find a lot of trolleys. So, we can invite those kinds of investments into Nigeria. If you fish in South Korea and you want to sell in Africa, you will have to ship all the way down here; but then, all those fishes are in Epe. So, we can bring our Asian friends to come in to Epe, invest in that market, and help to improve the infrastructure, train the local people and improve the economic benefits of the business. Government must have a dedicated deliberate policy in supporting small businesses because they have the potential for lifting a large percentage of the population out of poverty”, he said.
Speaking further, he said: “I have practice as a lawyer since 2003, I have work as a special assistant to the commissioner for sports in 2007, and I was an advisor to the governor on students’ affairs between 2007 and 2008; before I then moved to the multinational oil company that I currently work for. That tells you the level of experience that I have gathered over the last decade. I should have contest for House of Reps or a seat in the Senate, but I decided to come down here because it is a place you can showcase that you have what it takes to lead. And for me, it is a way of giving back to the community that I have loved so much”.
According to him, extending the construction of the Lekki-Epe toll road to Epe would fast track development of the town, saying that, he was confident that Akinwunmi Ambode, the party’s governorship flag bearer would influence its extension if elected since he is from Epe.
