Mourns Kaduna Bomb Victims
PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned a fleet of 107 gas and electric-powered buses and taxis in the second phase of Governor Babagana Zulum’s metro transport scheme aimed at cushioning the effects of fuel subsidy withdrawal.
Each of the 107 vehicles was converted to use electricity and gas to enable the use of low-cost energy sources and provide cheap transportation for citizens, most of whom are recovering from the destruction caused by the over one-decade old Boko Haram insurgency.
Before then, Tinubu, accompanied by Zulum, paid homage to the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi.
Tinubu, who was in Maiduguri for this year’s Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference, took time to commission the vehicles after visiting the Shehu.
Earlier, the President once again expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the recent accidental bombing in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, saying: “They were Nigerians of profound faith and in the moment of the tragedy, they were reciting the Shadada.
“God Almighty comforts their families as their nation grieves their passage into glory.”
At the palace of the Shehu of Borno, the President pledged that the Federal Government will continue to do all within its powers to provide support and care to the families of all Nigerians affected by the remnants of insecurity in parts of the state, declaring: “This is my most sacred responsibility and the trajectory of the larger effort shown by the ratio of victory over defeat has been sliding well in our favour since the new administration has resumed office.
“We are not satisfied yet; we are not satisfied until we reach the end of insecurity in Nigeria.”
Tinubu stated that under his watch, security issues would remain a top priority, but not limited only to battlefield concerns. “We will provide better amenities and benefits to our gallant armed forces and their families. We are committed to this and this is factored into the 2024 budget.
“We will ensure that our administration reflects the grateful heart of the Nigerian people in the way we treat those who make the ultimate sacrifices on our behalf.”
Zulum acknowledged the steady improvement in collaboration between the security agencies and the his government, noting: “We have seen the close working relationship between our state and the security agencies. The results are speaking for themselves.
“We remain committed to the achievement of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the fight against insecurity anywhere it exists in Nigeria. We thank you for your leadership, Mr President. We will continue to give all required support to the Nigerian armed forces.”
On his part, El-Kanemi urged the President to deliver his infrastructural interventions to areas that have been hard hit by insurgency over the years. “We seek the revival of the Lake Chad Commission to provide succour to the large communities in the Lake Chad’s surrounding areas.
“We seek power projects and job creation initiatives for our unemployed youths. Zulum has been performing beyond what is humanly possible, but his resources are limited. Please assist him.”
The new fleet of buses comprised 35 units of 30-seater gas-powered coaster buses, 12 units of 15-seater gas-powered Hummer buses, 10 units of 50-seater gas-powered mass transit buses and 50 units of four-seater electric-powered taxi vehicles.
