Federal Government Unveils 64 CNG-Powered Buses to Support Labour and Students

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• The federal government has handed over 64 CNG-Powered Buses to organised labour and student bodies in Abuja, aimed at reducing transportation costs and fighting inflation.
• Finance Minister Wale Edun highlighted that CNG vehicles consume one-third of the fuel of petrol-powered vehicles, leading to significant cost savings for commuters, with the initiative part of a broader transition to cleaner fuel in Nigeria.
• While labour unions and student representatives expressed gratitude for the buses, they emphasised the need for more vehicles to adequately meet the workforce’s transportation demands.

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Federal Government Unveils 64 CNG-Powered Buses to Support Labour and Students

The federal government on Sunday, September 29, launched a significant initiative by handing over 64 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered buses to organised labour and student bodies at the State House in Abuja, aiming to combat inflation and promote cleaner fuel alternatives.

During the event, Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, emphasised that the initiative represents a major step towards mitigating inflation. He highlighted that CNG vehicles provide substantial cost savings, using only one-third of the fuel required by petrol-powered vehicles, thus reducing commuting costs by up to 66%.

“This signifies a major step in the fight against inflation. With the President’s determination, we are ensuring that inflation is controlled and is now on a declining trend,” Edun stated. He noted that instead of spending N50,000 to fill a petrol tank, commuters would only pay about N15,000 for CNG, providing significant financial relief amid rising prices.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, outlined the distribution of the buses, with 40 allocated to labour unions, 20 to student unions, and four designated for passenger transport within Abuja. He stated that these buses are part of a larger initiative, with over 700 more buses on order to enhance mass transit across the country.

“This is a necessary first step by the government, commemorating our 64th independence anniversary. More buses will be deployed to ensure the initiative meets the transportation needs of Nigerians,” Idris said.

Idris also reassured attendees about the safety of the CNG buses, stating that the gas cylinders are bulletproof and designed to prevent explosions. “The safety of Nigerians and the buses was considered in the design and supply of these cylinders,” he added.

Project Director of the Presidential Initiative on CNG, Mr. Michael Oluwagbemi, reported significant progress within the initiative, including the establishment of over 125 CNG centres, attracting $175 million in investments, and the supply of over 34,000 conversion kits. He highlighted that Nigeria now boasts multiple conversion and refuelling stations, expanding the availability of CNG-fuelled vehicles.

The initiative is expected to create jobs as more technicians are trained in vehicle conversion and maintenance, contributing to the growth of the local economy.

However, some labour leaders voiced concerns regarding the adequacy of the 64 buses. Secretary-General of the Trade Union Congress, Mr. Nuhu Toro, acknowledged the government’s effort but called for an expansion of the initiative to better meet the needs of the workforce.

Echoing this sentiment, Head of International Relations for the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Uchenna Ekwe, stated that increasing the number of buses would have a significant positive impact on workers’ transportation options.

In a positive note, the National Association of Nigerian Students, represented by Lucky Emonefe, expressed gratitude for the CNG buses and the student loan initiative, viewing these measures as evidence of the President’s commitment to the welfare of students in Nigeria.