As part of Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary celebrations, the Federal Government 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). The event took place at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, on Sunday.
Leading the government delegation was Wale Edun, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, accompanied by Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Abubakar Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, and Ayodele Olawande, Minister of State for Youth Development.
Edun highlighted that these buses, when introduced for public use, would significantly lower transportation costs, helping to create a more efficient and affordable transport system. He described the initiative as part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to providing accessible transport following the removal of fuel subsidies under the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PCNGi). This programme also aligns with the government’s push for cleaner energy and macroeconomic reforms aimed at stabilising the economy.
The distribution of the 64 buses is the first phase of a broader plan, which includes over 500 CNG buses and 100 electric vehicles to be introduced nationwide. Edun emphasised the importance of this initiative, particularly for workers struggling with rising costs, stating that the government’s interventions would help mitigate inflation and ease the burden on vulnerable populations.
He noted that CNG-powered vehicles cost significantly less to fuel than petrol-powered ones, with motorists now able to fill a tank for as low as N15,000, compared to N50,000 for petrol.
At the event, TUC Secretary-General Nuhu Toro, NANS President Lucky Emonefe, and NLC representative Uche Ekwe commended President Tinubu for the gesture, urging the government to make even more CNG buses available to the public. Toro also expressed appreciation for the implementation of the new N70,000 national minimum wage, calling it a crucial step in reducing the economic hardship faced by workers.
In addition to transportation, Edun pointed out that the government plans to provide support for farmers to reduce costs and spur economic recovery. He stated that the fuel cost reduction from the CNG initiative would complement these efforts in improving the nation’s economic outlook.
Michael Oluwagbemi, Programme Director of PCNGi, provided further insight into the CNG initiative’s progress, revealing that 125 conversion centres had been established nationwide in just one year. He mentioned that investment in the sector had surpassed $175 million, with vehicle conversions taking place in eight states, and plans to expand the centres across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Credit: NAN (Text Excluding Headline)
