Federal Government has launched 15 CNG-powered buses as part of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Clean Energy Transport Scheme, a strategic initiative designed to ease the burden of fuel subsidy removal which will ensure that Nigerians.
The Minister of Transportation, Sen Said Ahmed Alkali, during the handover to National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), and National Association Road Transport Owners (NARTO) in Abuja on Thursday said the move is to access cleaner, more affordable energy solutions that reduce transport costs for operators and commuters alike.
He said the buses symbolise the government’s commitment to empowering citizens while transitioning to a cleaner energy economy.
He assured the ,inistry will ensure effective sensitisation of the transport owners, operators, passengers and the general public to make the Initiative accessible to Nigerians.
According to him, “this will no doubt make the Initiative popular, acceptable and reliable to enhance the welfare of Nigerians which the President is passionate to provide in compliance with the constitutional directive to uphold the primary purpose of government.
“They also allow us to monitor and ensure the safety and efficiency of the transportation sector, ultimately benefiting all Nigerians.
“The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative is a bold statement of Nigeria’s intent to take control of its resources and utilize them for the benefit of its people. 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.
“President Tinubu has made it clear that we will not continue to export our gas only to import products like fertilizers or other derivatives. Instead, we will harness our gas to power our economy.
“Nations like Japan, which import our gas, has demonstrated its transformative potentials. 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?
“I am glad to state that by transitioning to compressed natural gas, we are cutting down on carbon emissions, reducing the cost of fuel for transportation operators, and enabling the growth of a cleaner and more efficient transportation system,” he said.
He called on the unions—NURTW, RTEAN, and NARTO—to ensure the buses are used effectively and maintained properly.
He also urged Nigerians to embrace the initiative and support the government’s efforts to move our nation forward.
“We must work together to ensure that our resources are used to our advantage, thus creating a Nigeria where opportunities abound and innovation thrives,” he said.
