The Peoples Democratic Party candidate for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election, Chief Toyin Anthony Amuzu, on Tuesday distributed free 4kg cooking gas cylinders to 600 residents of the constituency as part of efforts to cushion the impact of the prevailing economic hardship.
The beneficiaries, drawn from different parts of Abeokuta South, were predominantly women. The distribution exercise, held at Ijeja, Abeokuta, lasted from about 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Speaking during the exercise, Amuzu said the intervention was aimed at reducing the financial burden on households that depend on liquefied petroleum gas for cooking.
He explained that the initiative followed an earlier programme by the Toyin Amuzu Foundation, which distributed free fuel to commercial motorcyclists and taxi drivers in the constituency.
According to him, the two interventions were designed to provide temporary relief to residents grappling with rising living costs.
“We previously supported commercial motorcycle riders and taxi drivers with free fuel. This cooking gas programme is intended to assist households that depend on gas for cooking. We recognise that different groups have different needs and we will continue to design interventions that respond to those needs as resources permit,” he said.
Amuzu, however, maintained that humanitarian interventions alone could not address Nigeria’s economic challenges, describing them as short-term measures to ease hardship.
The PDP chieftain said that if elected into the House of Representatives in 2027, he would pursue legislation aimed at strengthening social protection, empowering families economically and accelerating community development.
“Our philosophy is to help people acquire the means to earn a sustainable livelihood rather than depend indefinitely on relief materials. We want to support people to catch fish, not merely give them fish to eat,” he added.
He also promised to sustain the foundation’s humanitarian programmes while advocating policies that would promote self-reliance, economic inclusion and sustainable development across Abeokuta South.
Amuzu appealed to residents who were unable to benefit from the exercise due to the large turnout to remain patient, assuring them that subsequent phases of the programme would accommodate more beneficiaries.
He identified improved electricity supply as a critical factor for economic growth, saying stable power would lower operating costs for small businesses, improve productivity and create employment opportunities.
According to him, the position aligns with the agenda of the Ogun State PDP governorship candidate, Chief Oladipupo Adebutu, who has pledged to prioritise electricity and critical infrastructure if elected.
Although he currently holds no elective or appointive office, Amuzu said his foundation had executed several community development projects, including the provision of boreholes, installation of solar-powered streetlights, educational support, business empowerment initiatives and other welfare programmes.
Some beneficiaries described the free cooking gas distribution as a timely intervention, saying it would help reduce household expenses and ease the cost of preparing meals amid the current economic situation.
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