By Treasure Moses
The federal government has handed over 64 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to representatives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) ahead of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day celebration.
The deployment of these commuter buses aims to significantly reduce transportation costs in the country and provide hope for a more affordable and efficient public transport system
The handover event took place at the State House Conference Center, Abuja, as part of the activities marking Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.
According to the federal government, the deployment of these commuter buses aims to significantly reduce transportation costs in the country and provide hope for a more affordable and efficient public transport system.
Wale Edun, the Coordinating Minister of Economy and Minister of Finance, described the distribution of buses as part of President Bola Tinubu’s promise to provide affordable and efficient transportation to support Nigerians after the removal of fuel subsidies under the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PCNGI).
Edun stated that the initiative aims to alleviate the burden on the poor and vulnerable while supporting macroeconomic reforms to position the country for economic stability.
The minister explained that the symbolic handover of 64 buses marks the beginning of a broader national rollout, with plans to distribute over 500 CNG buses and 100 electric vehicles initially.
The CNG initiative aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to cleaner energy while leveraging its energy resources for industrialization
He added that the CNG initiative aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to cleaner energy while leveraging its energy resources for industrialization.
“This event marks another critical milestone in President Bola Tinubu’s policies, transitioning to cleaner fuel, emphasizing mass transit for Nigerians,” Edun said.
The initiative focuses on supporting workers with cheaper transportation to cope with rising prices
The minister emphasized that the initiative focuses on supporting workers with cheaper transportation to cope with rising prices.
He highlighted the CNG initiative’s impact on inflation, stating, “We’ve had an initial spike in inflation, now it has peaked and is coming down. The president and his team are determined to keep inflation down, and this is one of the major ways.”
Edun pointed out that the cost of fuel for CNG-powered vehicles is about one-third of that for petrol-powered vehicles, allowing motorists to fill their tanks for as low as ₦15,000 instead of ₦50,000 or more.
“Today, it’s CNG; tomorrow, it will be helping farmers cope with the remainder of the wet season’s planting and the dry season’s planting, starting in November, with fertilizer, inputs, seeds, and herbicides. This is all to get prices down and the economy moving again,” the minister said.
Comrade Nuhu Toro, Secretary General and Chief Executive of TUC, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, NANS President, and Comrade Uche Ekwe, Head of International Desk, NLC, commended President Tinubu for this gesture and called for more CNG buses to be made available to the public.
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