The Federal Government has handed over 15 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses to key transport unions in a bid to ease the impact of petrol subsidy removal and promote cleaner energy use in Nigeria.
At the handover ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, Said Alkali, the Minister of Transportation, highlighted the initiative as part of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), which aims to empower citizens and transition the nation towards a greener, more sustainable energy economy.
Beneficiaries of the Scheme
The buses were distributed to three major transport unions:
National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW)
Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN)
National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO)
Alkali described the initiative as a “bold statement” of Nigeria’s intent to harness its resources for domestic benefits.
“The time has come to break the cycle of exporting raw materials and importing finished products at a premium,” he said. “We exported crude oil and imported refined petroleum; we exported palm oil, cocoa, and rubber, and imported soap, chocolate, and tires. This cycle must end.”
Alkali emphasized the importance of leveraging Nigeria’s natural gas resources to drive economic development, citing examples from nations like Japan.
“They use gas to power their transportation sector, reduce reliance on petrol, and export vehicles like Toyota, Nissan, and Mitsubishi,” he noted. “Why shouldn’t Nigerians benefit from the resources beneath our soil?”
The minister added that transitioning to CNG-powered transportation would lower carbon emissions, reduce operating costs for transporters, and support a cleaner, more efficient system. He urged the transport unions to ensure proper maintenance of the buses to sustain the programme’s goals for future generations.
As part of the initiative, Michael Oluwagbemi, Programme Director of the PCNGI, announced that FCT residents would enjoy 40 days of free rides on the new CNG buses.
“For the next 40 days, residents will enjoy free transportation,” Oluwagbemi said. “Afterward, they will benefit from discounted rates as part of President Bola Tinubu’s vision for affordable and reliable transport.”
The initiative follows the August 2023 announcement by President Tinubu to establish the PCNGI. A subsequent memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the government and transport unions was signed to facilitate the conversion of vehicles to CNG-powered systems.
Alkali reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating awareness about the initiative and ensuring its accessibility to Nigerians. The programme, he said, symbolizes the country’s dedication to economic empowerment, sustainable growth, and a cleaner energy future.
