The Federal Government of Nigeria has made a stride in its efforts to provide affordable and efficient transportation to its citizens. On Sunday, the government handed over 64 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) .
This ceremony took place at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, marking Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.
Led by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, the government delegation included notable figures such as the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Abubakar Bagudu, and the Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande.
Mr. Edun emphasized that this initiative fulfills President Bola Tinubu’s promise to support Nigerians with affordable transportation following the removal of fuel subsidies under the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PCNGi). The primary goal is to alleviate the burden on the poor and vulnerable while supporting macroeconomic reforms for economic stability.
The 64 buses symbolize the beginning of a broader national rollout, with plans to distribute over 500 CNG buses and 100 electric vehicles initially.
The key benefits of the CNG initiative include reduced fuel costs, with CNG-powered vehicles having fuel costs that are about one-third of petrol-powered vehicles, and lower transportation costs, with Nigerians expected to save 60% on transportation costs when the initiative is fully operational. Additionally, the transition to cleaner fuel aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to cleaner energy.
Regarding the distribution of buses, 40 will go to labour unions, 20 to the Students Union, and 4 will remain in the Federal Capital Territory. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, highlighted that over 700 buses have been ordered, emphasizing that this is just the beginning.
The Secretary-General of TUC, Comrade Nuhu Toro, commended President Tinubu for the gesture and thanked him for implementing the N70,000 new national minimum wage.
