The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has expressed that the current administration under President Bola Tinubu has made remarkable strides in enhancing the quality of life for Nigerians. During a World Press Conference on Thursday, which was convened to celebrate the 64th Independence anniversary, Akume took the opportunity to outline key initiatives and accomplishments of the government.
Among the highlights was the introduction of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative, which aims to address transportation challenges faced by many citizens. Akume emphasized that this innovative program has significantly eased commuting issues for the populace.
In his remarks, he revealed that, as part of the government’s initiative to promote CNG-powered vehicles, a free distribution of CNG conversion kits has begun across the nation, making it more accessible for Nigerians to convert their vehicles to run on cleaner fuel.
He stated, “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.” He further acknowledged the efforts made by President Bola Tinubu GCFR in keeping his promises to alleviate the transportation difficulties faced by citizens through the establishment of the Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG). He highlighted the launch of the first phase, which includes 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 initiative is anticipated to reduce travel costs by up to fifty percent once fully operational,” he added.
To further encourage the transition to CNG-powered land transportation, Akume reiterated that the government has commenced the no-cost distribution of CNG conversion kits to Nigerians, emphasizing that the CNG transport system promises a substantial reduction in transportation expenses for the public.
In addition to transportation initiatives, Akume mentioned that the president has prioritized economic growth through the support of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). He stated, “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.”
He also pointed out that the National Social Investment Programme has been restructured to effectively tackle the challenges facing the poor, the vulnerable, underserved communities, and the elderly, ensuring that the most needy in society receive the assistance they require.
Akume highlighted recent developments regarding workers' welfare, stating that Nigerian workers have benefited from a newly approved National Minimum Wage, which comes on the heels of a Wage Award aimed at alleviating the plight of workers amid economic challenges.
Furthermore, he revealed that a total of 22,120 students have benefited from N2.5 billion disbursed by the Nigerian Students Loan Fund. He elaborated, “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 for indigent students to access education.”
Addressing the issue of insecurity, Akume acknowledged that it has been a persistent challenge for successive governments since 1999. He noted that this administration has made significant advancements in enhancing the human and institutional capacity of the armed forces and security agencies to effectively confront the challenges of insurgency, banditry, and other criminal activities, including kidnapping. He remarked that these efforts are yielding positive results, as many insurgents and bandits have been neutralized, while others are voluntarily surrendering to authorities for deradicalization.
Akume also touched on the recent floods affecting various states, indicating that the government is learning from these events and has intensified efforts to prevent future occurrences. He stated, “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, and livelihoods.”
He assured Nigerians that the humanitarian response from the Federal Government has been both swift and effective, adding that lessons have been drawn from the current situation to enhance planning and prevention strategies moving forward.
Akume reassured citizens that President Tinubu is acutely aware of the economic difficulties faced by the nation and is committed to taking action to alleviate immediate impacts while creating new opportunities in the short, medium, and long term. He stated, “This government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very much aware of and deeply sympathizes with all Nigerians over the economic conditions we are passing through, which have been occasioned by unavoidable policy choices, including the removal of fuel subsidies.”
“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,” Akume concluded, emphasizing the administration's commitment to improving the lives of all Nigerians.