LIVE UPDATES
The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has launched a program aimed at providing free transportation to school and back home for both secondary and primary school students, as well as senior citizens aged 65 and above in Surulere Local Government Area, through the GbajaRide initiative which was introduced on Saturday.
During the event, 33 mini and medium-sized buses were presented to facilitate the project.
Gbajabiamila expressed his continued dedication to serving the residents of Surulere, describing it as a fulfilling challenge.
He emphasized that the government's role is to empower individuals to chase and fulfill their God-given aspirations.
He revealed that the GbajaRide initiative is a component of President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
He expressed confidence that the free transportation for students could significantly impact their academic success, likening its importance to that of providing essential support for a sick patient.
He explained that while the initiative primarily focuses on transporting students, the buses would also be available for residents of Surulere to use at a 25 percent discounted fare when not in school service.
Gbajabiamila stressed that transportation is crucial for the success of any economy, highlighting this understanding as a reason for establishing the GbajaRide, in addition to being a social benefit for the community.
He mentioned that priority would be given to the elderly, persons with disabilities, and mothers with young children.
He noted that the program has directly created employment for 100 people. Furthermore, he indicated that the project is designed to be self-sufficient, stating that he would cover operational costs like salaries, fuel, insurance, and maintenance for the first three months before the initiative becomes self-sustaining.
During his welcome speech, Surulere Local Council Chairman, Sulaimon Bamidele-Yussuf, commended Gbajabiamila for his unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of Surulere's residents.
He reflected on the past two decades of persistent programs initiated by Gbajabiamila for the benefit of the community, indicating that his contribution continues to foster progress.
Yussuf added that in addition to schoolchildren and the elderly, children will be able to ride the buses for free.
The Chairman of the GbajaRide Committee, Sherrif Balogun, remarked that the initiative marks another significant achievement for the people of Surulere and Lagos. He expressed gratitude to Tinubu for supporting Gbajabiamila.
Balogun explained that the GbajaRide program focuses on social services, providing students with free bus rides in the mornings and after school, while the buses will also operate commercially at a subsidized rate during the rest of the day.
He noted that dedicated Cowry Cards for the project would be issued, and the initiative is being executed in collaboration with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
According to him, Gbajabiamila is dedicated to the people within the council, and the GbajaRide initiative embodies this commitment. Fuad Laguda, the House of Representatives member for Surulere 1, affirmed that residents and businesses in Surulere are grateful to Gbajabiamila for his efforts.
Project Advisor, Kayode Opeifa, highlighted that this unique scheme would serve as a model for others, describing it as a legacy for future politicians to follow.
He stated that the initiative will help reduce the costs parents incur for their children's daily transportation, forecasting that parents whose children attend one of the 80 public schools in Surulere could save up to N20,000 each month.
Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, noted that the program would contribute to alleviating educational poverty by facilitating better access to schooling, thus reducing instances of late arrivals and absenteeism. This will lessen the financial burden on parents concerning transport expenses for their children.
LAMATA's Managing Director was represented by Dr. Olukemi Amure, who expressed that LAMATA is pleased to participate in the project, as it aligns with the agency's mission of providing safe, efficient, and dignified transport services to the people of Surulere.
