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Enioluwa Adeniyi
Guest
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has asserted that the current administration has made considerable strides in enhancing the daily lives of Nigerians.
Speaking at a World Press Conference on Thursday, commemorating the 64th Independence anniversary, Akume emphasized the introduction of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative.
According to Akume, this initiative has significantly alleviated transportation difficulties for many citizens.
He revealed that, as part of the government’s efforts to promote the use of CNG-powered vehicles, free distribution of CNG conversion kits has commenced across the nation.
He said, “Before I unveil the approved program of activities, I wish to mention a few of the accomplishments of this administration that impact our citizens in their daily lives.
“Recently, President Bola Tinubu GCFR followed through with his promises to ease transportation difficulties of our citizens with the establishment of the Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG) and the launch of the first phase of thirty buses powered by hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
“This is a work in progress because the Presidential Initiative is designed to expand across all geo-political zones of the country. The government has also commissioned the first retrofitted CNG train head for the Abuja-Kaduna track. This is intended to cut the cost of travel by up to fifty per cent when fully operational.
“To encourage conversion to CNG-powered land transportation, the government has also commenced the distribution of CNG conversion kits at no cost to Nigerians. The benefit of the CNG transport system to Nigerians is a huge reduction in cost.”
Akume also said the president also gave priority to the growth of the economy through the SMEs.
He added, “By doing so, he( the president ) has re-focused on strengthening the backbone of our economy by empowering Nigerians to start or grow their businesses.
“The President has similarly repositioned the National Social Investment Programme to effectively address the challenges facing the poor, the vulnerable, the underserved, and the elderly.
“Nigerian workers have also benefited from a newly approved National Minimum Wage. This is coming on the heels of the Wage Award paid to mitigate the plight of the workers.”
Akume added that a total of 22,120 students have benefited from N 2.5bn disbursed by the Nigerian Students Loan Fund.
He said, “In the area of human capital development, the Nigerian Students Loan Fund has disbursed the sum of N2.5 billion to over 22,120 beneficiaries across higher institutions in the nation. This is a welcome relief for parents and an opportunity to access education by indigent students.
“Insecurity in different parts of the country has been a recurring challenge for successive governments since 1999.
“This administration has succeeded in elevating the human and institutional capacity of the armed services and other security agencies to tackle these challenges of insurgency, banditry, and other criminal activities including kidnapping. This is already yielding results as insurgents and bandits are getting neutralised in large numbers while several others are surrendering to the authorities for deradicalisation.”
Akume noted that the government had learned from the flood ravaging many states of the country, adding that efforts had been stepped up to prevent a reoccurrence.
He said, “The rainy season has similarly posed its challenges. As a result of climate change and other environmental factors, the country has experienced serious flooding in several states, resulting in fatalities and destruction of infrastructure, personal belongings, shelter, livelihoods, etc.
“The humanitarian response of the Federal Government has been swift and effective. The government has drawn lessons from the current situation and has stepped up planning and prevention strategies.”
He assured Nigerians that the president was aware of the country’s economic situation, adding that efforts were being made to cushion the immediate impact and create new opportunities on a short-, medium- and long-term basis.
Akume said, “This government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very much aware of and deeply sympathises with all Nigerians over the economic conditions we are passing through. These have been occasioned by unavoidable policy choices, including, the removal of fuel subsidies, that his administration has had to make.
“Notwithstanding the daunting challenges, ceaseless efforts are being made to cushion the immediate impact and to create new opportunities on the short, medium, and long-term basis through the diligent implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
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