Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Thursday, doled out N200 million to some of his constituents as business grants at an empowerment programme in Lagos.

Other top beneficiaries were gifted 161 vehicles including SUVs, cars and buses

Mr Gbajabiamila, representing Surulere 1 Federal Constituency in Lagos, is standing for re-election in Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly election.

The speaker said his gesture to the 2,500 artisans, traders and others was due to his “irrevocable commitment” to the empowerment of his constituents.

“This empowerment programme has been successful in many areas. We have tried to touch every sector in Surulere, be it in education, health, business, security and so on,” Mr Gbajabiamila said. “Today, more of these will be given out and many more of you will be beneficiaries.”

He declared, “We are giving 161 e-hailing cars and buses as transportation empowerment to boost income earning for our constituents .

“As you know, the e-hailing business is now a trend for many people to generate income .We will also be giving out business support to our businessmen and women to help stimulate the economic sector of Surulere.

“Security patrol vehicles will be given today for protection of lives and properties in Surulere. Apart from the 161 cars and buses, 555 laptops will be given to students and teachers.

“502 industrial machines for artisans and N200 million to over 2500 traders, market women, artisans and other businesses will also be given.

The speaker said the empowerment programme was another way to thank the people for choosing him to represent them at the House of Representatives.

He said his desire was to ensure that Surulere was a shining example in Nigeria, and that he would do everything possible to make the constituency a development model for others.

Mr Gbajabiamila said he had facilitated the reconstruction of no fewer than 200 roads in the constituency, while eight mini stadia had also been constructed.

He urged the people of the area to keep faith with the All Progressives Congress, to continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

Gbajabiamila appealed to residents of Surulere to vote Bola Tinubu for president and all candidates of the party for the February 25 and March 11 elections.

Sulaiman Yusuf, the council chairman for Surulere Local Government, said Mr Gbajabiamila “has made Surulere a model for development.”

(NAN)