In a bid to address the growing transportation challenges across the country, the Federal Government of Nigeria has handed over 64 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to representatives of labour unions and student leaders. The handover ceremony took place at the State House in Abuja, marking a significant move towards reducing the impact of the current fuel subsidy removal on the masses.
The news was made public through a statement and video shared on X.com (formerly Twitter) by Dada Olusegun, the Special Assistant on Social Media to President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday.
The statement from Olusegun read: “Earlier today, the Federal Government handed over 64 100-capacity CNG buses to labour and student leaders at the State House, Abuja.”
This initiative is part of the Tinubu administration’s broader efforts to ease the transportation burden, which has been exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies, leading to sharp increases in fuel prices. By introducing CNG-powered buses, the government aims to provide a more affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to petrol-driven vehicles.
Compressed Natural Gas, considered a cleaner and cheaper energy source, is seen as a key component in the government’s strategy to transition the country towards more sustainable energy solutions, particularly in the transportation sector. The deployment of these buses is also expected to cut down transportation costs, especially for students and workers, who have been hit hard by the rising cost of living.
The 64 buses, each with a 100-passenger capacity, will be distributed across key urban centers where transportation demands are critical. Labour unions and student associations, who have been vocal in their calls for immediate government intervention, are expected to manage the buses to ensure that they benefit their members directly.
This gesture follows ongoing negotiations between the government and labour leaders over the fuel subsidy removal and its consequences on the average Nigerian. Labour unions have been pressing for palliatives and concrete steps to alleviate the economic pressure on citizens. The handover of these CNG buses is viewed as a tangible response to these concerns.
Further details regarding the specific routes and operational guidelines for these buses are expected to be released in the coming days. The government, in collaboration with labour and student leaders, will likely monitor the implementation closely to ensure the initiative achieves its intended goals.
