More states are in the process of deploying additional Compressed Natural Gas ((CNG) buses for cheaper public transportation as the October 1 cut in fares initiative of the federal government begins to take shape.
Some others are either about to take delivery of more of such buses or place order for them, according to reports from our correspondent across the states yesterday.
But the possibility that all the states will meet the October 1 deadline looked unlikely last night.
President Bola Tinubu had, in a September 18 directive, asked state governments to accelerate the deployment of CNG and electric mass transit systems with a view to delivering measurable reductions in transportation fares from October 1.
The President, in an update on the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme yesterday, had said Nigeria, as a gas-rich country, must insulate itself from volatility in the international energy market by expanding cheaper domestic alternatives rather than reverting to petrol subsidies, which he said consumed trillions of naira and left the economy vulnerable to movements in global oil prices.
He said more than 120,000 vehicles have already been converted to CNG under the programme, while over 400 certified conversion centres and more than 90 CNG refueling stations are currently operational across the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FTC).
Kano State, which launched 222 CNG and electric vehicles for public transportation back in May, has now been joined by Akwa Ibom and Cross River which have deployed 50 and 10 buses respectively.
Ondo State is awaiting the delivery of 100 CNG buses and Delta 50 while Edo prepares to unveil 50 on October 15.
Scheduled to perform the ceremony is First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, said at the launching of the vehicles in Kano that the initiative was aimed at building a more resilient and economically competitive Nigeria.
According to him, the adoption of CNG and electric mobility had become necessary to reduce transportation costs and lessen dependence on expensive traditional fuel systems despite Nigeria’s huge gas reserves.
“Transportation costs affect food prices, businesses, manufacturing, logistics and ultimately the lives of ordinary Nigerians. President Bola Tinubu understood that Nigeria could not continue to depend entirely on expensive traditional fuel systems while sitting on over 200 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves,” he said.
Shettima described Kano as the ideal location for the northern rollout of the initiative, noting that the state remains a major commercial and transportation hub linking markets across Northern Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
He commended the leadership of PI-CNG & EV under Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed for driving the programme and expanding its mandate to include electric vehicles in line with global transport innovation.
The Vice President also disclosed that private firms including Greenville LNG, AY Shafa, NIPCO, AA Rano, Rolling Energy and others were already investing heavily in gas infrastructure across Northern Nigeria.
In his remarks, Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, described the initiative as a bold intervention that would ease transportation challenges and create economic opportunities for residents.
He said Kano embraced the programme because transportation remains central to the state’s economy and commercial activities.
Akwa Ibom crashes transport fares with 50 CNG buses
Akwa Ibom Information Commissioner Aniekan Umanah said in Uyo that the CNG buses were operational in the state’s 31 local government areas to ease public transportation.
“Governor Umo Eno is very intentional and committed to the holistic implementation of his ARISE Agenda as regards easing the transportation burden faced by residents of the state,” he said.
He added: “The removal of fuel subsidy by the President Bola Tinubu administration is a welcome development and it has brought quantum benefits to the nation’s economy but some discomfort on commuters.
“This informed the Governor’s decision to bring in the CNG buses, fifty of them, to ease the burden. Akwa Ibom State is a model in terms of transportation and ease of movement.
“Every nook and cranny of the state is linked by good roads and I trust that residents of the state would not have any challenges with regards to human and vehicular movements.”
Govt intervention still unraveling in C-River, says commissioner
Transport Commissioner Kingsley Egomi said the Cross River State government has in its possession 10 CNG buses for the take-off of the initiative.
Further details will unfold in due course, he told The Nation.
“When I came back from Abuja from the stakeholders meeting on CNG, I tried to brief the Governor, but later on he travelled. It’s only when he comes back that I’ll know the state’s position fully.
“Actually, the intervention aims to reduce transportation costs, so our first port of call is the CNG conversion centres because without the conversion centres, you’ve done nothing.
“We’ve started the conversion centers already. Also, for the Electronic vehicles, we have about 10 already, so I need to meet with my boss (the governor) before I can have a full brief.
Abia State to increase CNG bus fleet to 60
The Abia State Government plans to increase its CNG bus fleet to 60 by the end of the year to take the total to 100.
Governor Alex Otti commissioned the first 20 last December and another 20 last month.
The buses currently operate mainly in Umuahia the state capital and the commercial city of Aba.
The bus service is to be expanded to cover Umuahia–Bende–Arochukwu, Umuahia–Umunneochi, Umuahia–Okigwe–ABSU, Umuahia–Michael Okpara University–Ikwuano, Aba–Ukwa and Aba–Owerri among other routes.
Fares on the Green shuttle from Umuahia to Arochukwu is N2,000 while private operators charge N5,000 for the same journey.
Benue Gov’s CPS: We’re on track
The Benue State Government said it is working round the clock to make the scheme a success in the state.
It has placed order for more buses including CNG vehicles for public transportation, Kula Tersoo, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia told The Nation. SubscribeTo News
He said government had earlier procured 100,100 Toyota buses for the state-owned transport company, Benue Links Nigeria Limited.
When the additional buses arrive and are put into use, the transport sector will be heavily subsidized, leading to a significant reduction in transport fares across the state, Tersoo said.
Afegbua: The buses will be near-free in Edo
Edo State Government said its planned roll out of 50-CNG buses into the state transport ecosystem will force down transport fares across the state.
Information and Strategy Commissioner Kassim Afegbua said the buses would be distributed across the three senatorial districts and the 18 local government areas.
“The buses will be near-free because of the very cheap fare that would be charged per commuter,” he said.
“The very low fare will force other public transporters to cut down on their fares.”
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