‘Free rides for FCT residents’ — FG distributes 15 CNG-powered buses to transport unions

The federal government has distributed 15 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered buses to transport unions.

Speaking at the handover ceremony on Thursday in Abuja, Said Alkali, minister of transportation, said the scheme was designed to ease the burden of petrol subsidy removal in the country.

According to NAN, the beneficiaries are the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).

The minister said the buses represent the government’s commitment to empowering citizens while transitioning to a cleaner energy economy.

“The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative is a bold statement of Nigeria’s intent to take control of its resources and utilise them for the benefit of its people,” Alkali said.

“We have been exporting our raw materials for decades only to import finished goods at a premium.

“We exported crude oil and imported refined petroleum; we exported palm oil, cocoa, and rubber and imported soap, chocolate, and tires. The time has come to break this cycle.”

Alkali said the country will no longer focus solely on exporting gas and importing products like fertilisers and other derivatives, but will instead utilise its gas resources to drive economic growth.

“Nations like Japan, which import our gas, have demonstrated their transformative potential,” he said.

“They use gas to drive their transportation sector, reduce their reliance on petrol, and export vehicles like Toyota, Nissan, and Mitsubishi to countries like ours.

“Why shouldn’t Nigerians benefit from the resources beneath our soil?”

The minister said transitioning to compressed natural gas would lower carbon emissions, reduce petrol costs for transport operators, and support the development of a cleaner and more efficient transportation system.

He said the buses, distributed to the unions, were instruments of positive transformation — symbolising a dedication to sustainable growth, economic empowerment, and a greener future.

Alkali urged the NURTW, RTEAN, and NARTO to ensure the proper use and maintenance of the buses, stressing that the focus is not just on the present but on building a transportation system that will benefit future generations.

He said the ministry would ensure effective awareness campaigns for transport owners, operators, passengers, and the general public to make the initiative accessible to all Nigerians.

FCT RESIDENTS TO ENJOY 40 DAYS FREE RIDES

Michael Oluwagbemi, the programme director of the presidential CNG initiative, announced that residents of the federal capital territory (FCT) would enjoy 40 days of free rides on the buses.

He said the buses are safer, more reliable, and easily accessible.

“On these buses for the next 40 days, people will enjoy free transportation as part of the benefits of this administration,” he said.

“And after 40 days, they will enjoy a discount because of the work of President Bola Tinubu.”

On August 19, 2023, Tinubu announced the establishment of the CNG initiative.

A month later, the federal government, through the PCNGI, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with key stakeholders in the transport unions to facilitate the conversion of vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG).