Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State has presented official Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to eight legislative members to enhance their effectiveness in discharging their statutory responsibilities.

The council also presented four new 18-seater buses to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Muslim Association, Community Development Committee (CDC) executives and market executives in the LCDA.

The chairperson of the council, Omope Adedeji, made this known during the presentation of the vehicles to the beneficiaries at the council secretariat in Lagos on Thursday.

Ms Adedeji said the presentation was part of activities to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th independence anniversary and mark her birthday.

She said mobility was critical to enabling councillors to effectively discharge their legislative, oversight and constituency responsibilities within their respective wards.

According to her, the initiative was also aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and providing officials with the necessary support to serve residents effectively.

She said the buses presented to religious bodies, CDC executives and market leaders would boost their morale and enhance their capacity to carry out their responsibilities across the LCDA.

“The distribution of these SUVs to the councillors is expected to improve mobility and enhance community engagement with residents.

“These vehicles are aimed at easing mobility and supporting the associations’ community outreach, welfare programmes and social interventions.

“This is because market leaders, CDC and religious bodies play vital roles in moral development, peace-building and community cohesion.

“This initiative also reflects my administration’s broader agenda of strengthening governance structures, improving service delivery and accelerating development across communities in Bariga LCDA,” she said.

She urged the beneficiaries to use the vehicles judiciously for official duties.

She reiterated her administration’s commitment to sustainable development and improved welfare of stakeholders in the LCDA.

Also speaking, Kolade David, immediate past chairman of the council, said the vehicles demonstrated Adedeji’s commitment to building a responsive and efficient local government system.

Mr David, who is the APC candidate for the Shomolu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said effective grassroots governance required dedication as well as adequate tools and logistical support for public officials.

The beneficiaries expressed delight and gratitude to the chairman for what they described as her selfless leadership and commitment to good governance.

Joseph Aroyerorun, Chairman of CAN, Bariga chapter, thanked the council chairman for the gesture.

Mr Aroyerorun promised that the beneficiaries would use the vehicles responsibly and intensify efforts to serve the religious community diligently. 

(NAN)