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| President Bola hammed tinubu |
Tinubu Says CNG, Electric Transport Schemes Are Reducing Fares
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said Nigerians in some states are already benefiting from lower transportation costs following the introduction of compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric-powered public transport systems.
The President said additional reductions in transport fares are expected from October 1 through the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme.
According to Tinubu, the initiative followed an August 27 meeting with the 36 state governors, during which discussions were held on measures to reduce transportation costs.
He said an implementation committee had been established under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, with Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq serving as chairman.
The President said the committee, alongside state governments and other stakeholders, was working to identify major transport routes and determine suitable interventions involving CNG and electric vehicles.
Tinubu cited several examples of transport fare reductions linked to alternative-energy vehicles.
He said CNG-powered and electric public transport services in Borno were carrying passengers for between ₦50 and ₦100 on routes where commercial operators charge between ₦300 and ₦600.
In Kaduna, he said 100 CNG buses had provided free transportation on major routes and carried approximately 3.2 million passengers during their first year of operation.
The President also said the deployment of CNG buses to Pacesetter Transport in Oyo State reduced the Lagos-Ibadan fare from about ₦8,000 to ₦3,200 during the initial phase.
According to him, transport services using alternative energy in Adamawa had reduced fares by as much as 50 per cent, while CNG buses in Enugu had brought the Enugu-Nsukka fare down from ₦2,500 to ₦1,500.
Tinubu further stated that government-supported buses in Plateau were carrying thousands of passengers daily at fares of about ₦200, compared with more than ₦500 charged by some commercial operators.
In Abuja, the President said CNG-converted vehicles operating on selected routes had also recorded fare reductions. He cited the Area 1-Gwagwalada route, where he said fares had fallen from ₦1,500 to ₦900, while fares on the Nyanya and Wuse routes had reduced to ₦420 and ₦240 respectively.
He also mentioned lower fares on the Suleja-Abuja route in Niger State and subsidised fares for electric buses operating in Abia State.
Tinubu said the reductions being recorded in some locations were already providing savings for commuters, rather than being future projections.
The President linked the push for alternative-energy transportation to rising pressures in global energy markets, saying Nigeria's reliance on petrol and diesel could expose commuters to higher transportation costs.
He said the government had continued to develop the CNG transportation network since taking office, with more than 120,000 vehicles reportedly converted and over 400 certified conversion centres established.
Tinubu also said there were more than 90 CNG refuelling stations across the country.
The President maintained that his administration would not return to the previous petrol subsidy system, which he said placed a significant financial burden on the government.
He urged state governments to expand alternative-energy transport programmes and ensure that reductions in energy costs translate into lower fares for commuters.
Tinubu said Edo State had 50 CNG buses in operation, while Kano had converted more than 1,000 commercial vehicles and was expanding its conversion and refuelling infrastructure.
He added that Delta, Kwara and Lagos were expanding CNG-supported transportation services, while Akwa Ibom had received 50 CNG buses ahead of commercial operations.
The President called on state governments, transport unions and commercial operators to accelerate preparations ahead of October 1, including vehicle conversions, fleet deployment and the development of supporting infrastructure.
He said the Federal Government would continue supporting CNG infrastructure, vehicle conversion capacity and wider participation by transport operators, manufacturers and private investors.