As Saturday Governorship election approach, the kind Babajide Sanwo-Olu led Lagos State Government has commenced releasing impounded vehicles to their owners free of charge without payment of fines.

The state Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, made this known in Lagos on Tuesday.

He said the exercise commenced last Saturday and is still ongoing, noting that the state government made the decision as a measure to ease the cash crunch on its citizens as a result of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s naira redesign policy.

The commissioner noted that vehicles that were impounded for minor traffic offences would be released to their owners and fines waived.

He said, “There are some people that committed offences during that period and we understand the fact that money wasn’t easy to come by.

“Looking at the governor’s magnanimity, the governor has deemed it fit to ensure that people who committed crimes within that period and wanted to pay or couldn’t pay as a result of the shortage of cash, should come and pick up their cars and he has waived the fines.

“Mind you, that does not include major crimes committed. These are just minor traffic offences that have been committed in Lagos and this is showing empathy and trying to understand that look, we understand how difficult it has been and it is not a reason for us to stop you from making ends meet and so hence the governor’s magnanimity.

“All those who have committed a crime within that period should come and pick up their cars, that doesn’t mean people should continue to offend and so right now, what we are doing is to caution them not to commit the offence again.”

Recall that the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had introduced palliative measures to cushion the effect of the naira redesign policy on residents in the state by slashing the BRT fares by 50 per cent.

The commissioner further stated, “When you look at what the governor proposed, especially during the cash crunch period, we have reduced public transport fares by 50 per cent. So when you go on our BRTs and all the Lagos state-funded public transport, including Lag Ride, we have reduced the fare by 50 per cent just to alleviate the suffering of our people.

“Apart from that, moving away from transport, we have opened up food banks in certain areas. So we’re beginning to give out palliative just to ensure that people get through this cash crunch period.

“We’re happy that APC has won at the national level and we are beginning to see some of these policies being reversed.

“So we’re hoping that in a short time, life would return back to normal.”

To show more kindness, the Jide Sanwo-Olu led administration has also paid N1.2 billion accrued pension rights to 533 retirees.

The state government explained that the payment aligned with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s mandate to clear the pension backlog.

Speaking at the 99th Benefit Bond Certificates Presentation for retirees of the State Public Service, the Director-General of Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Mr. Babalola Obilana, reassured the pensioners of Sanwo-Olu’s commitment towards the well-being of the state workforce.

“The Lagos state government is paying N1.2 billion to 500 pensioners just as he promised. The money will be transferred to your Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) in a week,” Obilana told participants.

He, however, told the bond certificate recipients that if they encounter any difficulties, they should swiftly call on them to intervene.

“Please be wary of those who will approach you for investments. This isn’t the time to buy aso-ebi or marry more wives,” he added.

The Director General appealed to the senior citizens to take good care of themselves, urging them to “be prudent with your expenses.”

While presenting the bond certificates to the pensioners, Obilana congratulated them and thanked them for their services to the state.

Also, wife of the Lagos State governor, Ibijoke Sanw-Olu, has called on residents of Ikorodu to take their health very seriously and embrace the Ilera Eko health insurance scheme.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu made the call during the medical screening conducted by staff of Ikorodu General Hospital at Ikorodu town hall, Lagos.

The free medical screening conducted on residents includes hypertension, diabetics, laboratory investigations, distribution of eyeglasses and referral to a general hospital for surgical operations.

She commended the people of Ikorodu for their votes during the presidential election and encouraged them to come out en masse during the governorship election to ensure victory for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for more democratic dividends.

“Today, I came here to thank the people of Ikorodu for their overwhelming support and votes during the presidential election.

“I want you to do the same during this governorship election, and this time it must be 100 per cent vote for Sanwo-Olu and Obafemi Hamzat, including all the Assembly candidates of APC,” Mrs Sanwo-olu said.

Also speaking, Ademuyiwa Eniayewun, permanent secretary, Health Service Commission, said the medical outreach was designed to help people with medical challenges who could not afford the money.

Also, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, thanked the governor and the initiator of the health programme and called on residents to support and vote for APC during the governorship election for continuity and more dividends of democracy.

The traditional ruler, represented by Adewale Elesho, former Lagos State commissioner for Information, appealed for consistency of the programme so that more people would benefit in Ikorodu.