Gbajabiamila empowers 5,000 Surulere residents, says Tinubu feels Nigerians’ pain

The Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has empowered 5,000 residents of Surulere Federal Constituency, Lagos, with vehicles, motorcycles, tricycles and financial support for small businesses.

Gbajabiamila, who spoke at a one-day empowerment programme held at the National Stadium, Surulere, said the initiative was aimed at creating economic opportunities and reducing the burden on residents, particularly through improved transportation and support for small businesses.

He said President Tinubu was aware of the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians and was working to improve living conditions, especially at the grassroots.

The event was attended by the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as well as traditional rulers, Igbo chiefs, political leaders and other stakeholders.

Among the items distributed, according to Gbajabiamila, were 30 buses, 25 tricycles and 160 motorcycles, as well as electric vehicles for e-hailing services, cash support for small businesses, security patrol vehicles, Toyota Hiace buses, Toyota Highlander and Corolla cars, minibuses and ambulances.

Gbajabiamila said the intervention was also designed to strengthen transportation and support livelihoods in the constituency.

He highlighted the Federal Government’s drive towards cleaner transportation, saying policies on compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles were intended to reduce the impact of fuel-price volatility and promote cleaner mobility.

According to him, the increasing assembly of CNG- and electric-powered vehicles by local automobile companies could create jobs, reduce transportation costs and improve air quality.

Gbajabiamila also defended the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration, including the removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange reforms, saying they were intended to address longstanding structural challenges.

He cited reforms in taxation, electricity and infrastructure as part of the administration’s efforts to stimulate economic growth.

On taxation, he said the government had enacted tax reform legislation aimed at addressing multiple taxation, while electricity-sector reforms would give states greater roles in power generation and distribution.

He also listed ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Badagry-Sokoto corridor and the remodelling of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, as examples of government interventions.

Gbajabiamila urged residents to remain hopeful, saying the government’s policies were being implemented gradually.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu feels your pains and is working tirelessly to make life better for people at the grassroots,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Wemimo Odumosu, Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) in Ward 21, Surulere, described the programme as unprecedented.

According to Odumosu, the empowerment initiative had provided support to thousands of residents and community groups across Surulere.

“It is unprecedented. It has never happened before whereby 5,000 people were empowered,” he said, adding that the latest intervention had also provided transportation support to communities.

He said the introduction of electric vehicles was particularly significant, noting that charging points were planned for various locations across Surulere.

“Surulere is the first that we are receiving electric vehicles, and there is already a plan to have charging points in various locations in Surulere,” Odumosu said.

He expressed appreciation to Gbajabiamila for the intervention and prayed for continued success for the Chief of Staff.

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