The Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi, has started a free shuttle bus service in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, to reduce the cost of transportation for residents.
The initiative, named “Karimi Cares Free Bus Service,” began on Wednesday. The first route covers the Army Barracks to Lokoja New Market/Nataco Junction corridor.
The service is expected to benefit civil servants, students, traders and other residents who use the route daily.
The programme comes at a time of rising transport fares, which have added to the financial strain on households and individuals who rely on public transportation.
According to the organisers, the intervention is meant to give residents immediate relief by helping them save money on daily commuting. The shuttle will operate along the designated corridor as part of the broader Karimi Cares initiative.
Supporters of the senator see the service as a practical step toward improving mobility and making everyday movement more affordable. They say it shows that representation is measured not only by policies and promises, but also by initiatives that respond to the everyday realities of ordinary people.
Analyst Backs Initiative
Commenting on the development, public affairs analyst Musa Asiru Bakare described the service as an example of people-oriented representation. He said the impact of political office should be felt in the daily lives of citizens.
Bakare said the free service would offer practical help to workers commuting to their offices, students travelling to school and traders heading to markets.
He added that for low-income families struggling to cover food, education, healthcare and transport costs, any cut in daily transport spending could bring meaningful relief.
“The initiative is not only about providing transportation but also about bringing constituency representation closer to the people,” Bakare said.
He noted that the start of the service in Lokoja could also stimulate wider discussion about Senator Karimi’s programmes and interventions in Kogi West.
Bakare said the programme reflects the principle that public service should respond to citizens’ immediate needs, particularly in periods of economic pressure. He added that it gives residents a chance to experience a direct intervention aimed at one of their daily challenges.
Expectations are high among residents that the service will provide meaningful support to commuters who depend on affordable transportation.
