THE LAGOS Mainland Local Government has presented sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to its nine councillors, attributing the funding to benefits from the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023.
Mr Jubril Emilagba, chairman of the council said this on Wednesday at the handover ceremony of the SUVs in Lagos.
The event also featured the flag-off of Phase 12 of the council’s food palliative programme, tagged ‘Ounje Èmí’, for artisans.
The beneficiaries of the SUVs are the Council Leader, Mr Azeez Oloto, representing Ward A; Mrs Modupe Olowonishaye, Ward B; and Mr Ibrahim Animashaun, Ward C.
Others are Mr Babatunde Otegbayo, Ward D; Mr Tajudeen Atanda, Ward E; Mr Yusuf Olanrewaju, Ward F; Mr Olamilekan Biliaminu, Ward G; Mr Oluwaseyi Adelakun, Ward H; and Mr Opeyemi Shofolahan, Ward I.
Emilagba said the vehicles would enhance the councillors’ mobility, improve supervision and strengthen service delivery at the grassroots.
He described the initiative as a strategic investment in the council’s legislative arm to enable the councillors to discharge their statutory responsibilities effectively.
“Today marks another significant milestone in our administration’s commitment to effective service delivery, improved governance and the welfare of our people.
“The council expects that these vehicles will enhance mobility, strengthen supervision and enable the councillors to discharge their responsibilities more effectively,” he said.
On the food palliative programme, Emilagba said the initiative was designed to ease the economic burden on residents.
He said the council had sustained the programme from Phase One to Phase 12 to ensure that the benefits of governance reached residents at the grassroots.
According to him, good governance is measured not by promises alone but by tangible actions that positively affect lives.
The chairman promised to sustain initiatives aimed at strengthening public institutions, supporting the workforce and providing relief to communities.
He urged eligible residents to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), participate peacefully in elections and make informed choices.
Emilagba also encouraged voters to support candidates who favoured continuity of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He urged residents to remain peaceful, law-abiding and committed to the democratic process.
Also speaking, Mr Rasheed Shabi, member representing Lagos Mainland Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, said the vehicles would support grassroots service delivery.
Shabi said the initiative would also ease mobility challenges faced by the councillors.
He congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to use the vehicles to improve their performance and service to residents.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Oloto thanked the chairman for the gesture.
He promised that the councillors would use the vehicles responsibly and intensify efforts to serve their respective wards.
The Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) in the area, Alhaji Muiz Salako, commended the council for the initiative.
Salako said reliable transportation would help councillors and community representatives discharge their responsibilities more effectively.
He added that the gesture reflected the local government’s commitment to responsive governance and recognition of the economic realities facing residents.
NAN reports that the council also rewarded winners of a dance competition organised for artisans with prizes, including a deep freezer, a sewing machine and two gas cookers.
The prizes were presented to the first, second, third and fourth-place winners, respectively.
The ceremony was attended by traditional rulers, community representatives and council officials. (NAN)
