As part of activities marking Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary, the Federal Government, Sunday 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 Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, led the federal government delegation to present the buses at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
Also on the delegation were the 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.
Speaking at the event, Edun said when deployed for commuter service, the buses would significantly reduce transportation costs in the country and restore hope for a more affordable and efficient public transport system.
He said the distribution of the buses was a fulfillment of President Bola Tinubu’s promise to provide affordable and efficient transportation under the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PCNGi) to support Nigerians after the removal of fuel subsidies.
He said the initiative was aimed at alleviating the burden on the poor and vulnerable and support macroeconomic reforms that would position the country on the path to economic stability.
The minister further said the symbolic handover of 64 buses on the eve of Nigeria’s National Day marked the beginning of a broader national rollout.
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He said the federal government planned to distribute over 500 CNG buses and 100 electric vehicles in the first instance.
Edun said: “The CNG initiative aligned with Nigeria’s commitment to cleaner energy while leveraging its energy resources for industrialisation.
“Today marks another critical milestone in the policies of President Tinubu. It is a transition to cleaner fuel. The emphasis is on mass transit.”
The minister stressed that the federal government placed emphasis on intervening on the side of workers to ensure cheaper transport to enable them cope with rising prices.
According to him, the CNG initiative will significantly impact inflation positively.
He added: “We’ve had an initial spike in inflation, now it has peaked, and it is coming down.
“Mr President and the whole team are determined to ensure that we keep inflation coming down, and this is one of the major ways.”
By: Babajide Okeowo
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