The Senator representing Ogun West senatorial district at the National Assembly said President Bola Tinubu saved Nigeria’s economy from total collapse by removing fuel subsidy and floating the naira.

Adeola disclosed that the previous administration had borrowed heavily to fund fuel subsidy and stabilising the naira against the dollar, adding that the bold step of the government was the saving grace for the nation.

He made this known while speaking at the 2nd Edition of Town Hall Meeting/Mega Empowerment and Thank You Tour, held at Ayetoro, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, emphasised that the immediate past administration had to borrow trillions of naira to pay fuel subsidy, noting that it was being collected by less than 1% of Nigerians.

He added that $400 billion was borrowed to stabilise the naira against the dollar, a fiscal policy which left the country’s economy on the brink.

While commending Tinubu for taking a hard decision to revamp the hitherto comatose economy, he stressed that all the reforms undertaken by the government are to secure the future of the unborn generations of Nigerians.

He appealed to Nigerians to continue to be patient with Tinubu, declaring that the current economic policies have begun to yield positive results.

On the empowerment programme, the senator explained that the programme was organised to reward and appreciate the constituents in Yewa North Local Government Area for their support during the 2023 general elections.

Reeling out his achievements in the Senate for two years, Adeola said he has taken advantage of his position as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations to fight for the rights of his constituents and facilitate developmental projects in Ogun West.

The Senator, however, disclosed that another set of 3,000 students selected across the six LGAs in Ogun West will be given scholarship and bursary awards of N200,000 and N100,000, respectively.

While thanking Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State for supporting all his activities in Ogun West, especially the empowerment programmes, he urged the people to continue to rally support for the incumbent administration in the state.

Speaking earlier, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, lauded Senator Adeola for facilitating real dividends of democracy in Ogun West.

Meanwhile, Senator Adeola has restated his calls against the killing of residents of communities bordering the Republic of Benin by the operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The senator, who described incidents as “incessant killings” of Ogun West residents by the customs in the name of tackling smuggling, declared that the killings must be halted.

He stated that everyone residing in the border communities cannot be tagged as smugglers; rather, they are legitimate inter-border traders, stressing that the killings by the operatives of the customs are unjustifiable.

The senator, who was speaking against the backdrop of the closure of the borders and the incessant killing of residents of border communities, noted that the closure of the borders cannot bring about the desired solution, saying several legitimate business activities would continue to be affected by the measure.

He stated that closing petrol stations within 20 kilometers of the border has taken a serious toll on the socioeconomic development of the people and the communities, disclosing that efforts were ongoing at the Senate to ensure the reopening of the stations.

Adeola expressed dismay at what he described as a “selective opening” of petrol stations, emphasising that concerted efforts have been initiated at the National Assembly to facilitate the reopening of all the stations.

While warning the beneficiaries of the empowerment scheme not to sell the tools but use them to enhance their businesses and crafts, Adeola assured them that he would continue to give qualitative representation and facilitate more developmental projects in Ogun West.

He added that rehabilitation work will commence soon on the road from Rounder to Olorunda, while the ongoing road construction in Ilara, Ilase, Oja Odan, and Eselu, as well as Iwoye-Oke Agbede-Moriwi, will soon be completed.