The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has unveiled a scheme that will provide free transport to school and back home for secondary and primary school students, as well as the elderly that are 65 years and above in Surulere Local Government Area, through the GbajaRide programme that was launched on Saturday.
At the event, 33 mini and medium buses were unveiled to drive the project.
Speaking at the event, Gbajabiamila stated that he is not tired of serving the people of Surulere, stating that serving Surulere has been good stress for him.
He noted that the purpose of government is to allow people pursue and achieve their God-given ambition.
He disclosed that the GbajaRide programme is a product of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
Gbajabiamila was optimistic that the free ride for students can make the difference between succeeding and failing in school, just as it can be the needed support to save a sick patient from dying.
He said that the project, which is principally meant to provide free transportation for all secondary schools, goes beyond school runs.
He said that when the buses are not serving students when they are in class or back home, residents of Surulere can commute on the bus at 25 per cent discounted fare.
According to Gbajabiamila, transportation is key to any economy, as there is no economy that can thrive without a good transportation system.
He said that understanding this is why the GbajaRide was also established, aside from it being a social service to the people of the council.
He said that priority would be given to the elderly, PWDs, and women with children.
He said that through the scheme, 100 people have been directly provided employment.
According to him, the project has been designed to be self-sustaining. He said that part of the effort is why, for the next three months, he could bear the cost of the salary of the staff, fueling of the vehicles, the insurance, and repairs, after which the scheme will be self-running.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Surulere Local Council, Sulaimon Bamidele-Yussuf, praised Gbajabiamila for his commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of residents of Surulere.
He said in the last two decades, it has been Gbaja this and that, executing one programme and project meant for the good of the residents of the council.
He noted that Gbajabiamila has continued to work for the progress of the council because of his love for the people of Surulere.
“A lot has been done and is still being done. When he left as Speaker, we thought it was the end, but with the various projects and programmes, it is just like he has just started. In 2027, what we pray for will come to reality.”
Yussuf said that aside from school students, elderly people who are age 65 and upward and children will enter the buses free of charge.
Also speaking, the Chairman, GbajaRide Committee, Sherrif Balogun, said the programme is another milestone for the people of Surulere and Lagos at large.
He thanked Tinubu for the support to Gbajabiamila.
He stated that the GbajaRide scheme is about social services, as students will join the buses in the morning and after school back home for free, while other hours of the day will be for commercial services at a subsidised rate. He disclosed that there will be dedicated Cowry Cards for the project, though the project is being executed in partnership with Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
According to him, Gbajabiamila is for everyone within the council, and the GbajaRide scheme says it all.
On his part, the House of Representatives member for Surulere 1, Fuad Laguda, said the residents and businesses within Surulere cannot stop thanking Gbajabiamila for all he has done and what he is doing. He applauded the initiative.
The Project Advisor, Kayode Opeifa, noted that the scheme is unique to Surulere and will be modern enough to be copied, as it is a legacy for other politicians to emulate.
He said that the scheme would help to save expenses that would have gone into financing their children’s daily transport fares.
Opeifa said parents of students in Surulere, especially in 80 public schools within the council, will have extra money to spend for other needs.
According to him, beneficiaries will save at least N20,000 monthly from using the buses.
On his part, Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, said the programme will help to eradicate learning poverty, as it will aid better access to education because students will not go late to school or be absent from school.
“This will reduce parents’ spending burden on transport for their pupils.”
Dr. Olukemi Amure, who represented the Managing Director of LAMATA, said that LAMATA is glad to be part of the scheme, as it will further help to drive the agency’s goal of providing a safe, efficient, and dignified mobility to Surulere.
