By Solomon OKPO | The Evangelist News Desk
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed state governments to ensure that the savings generated from cheaper Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered transportation are reflected in lower fares paid by Nigerians from October 1.
Tinubu gave the directive while updating Nigerians on the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, following his August 27 meeting with the 36 state governors.
He said the objective of the programme was to ensure that Nigerians begin to experience “measurable reductions in transportation costs” from October 1, urging state governments to collaborate with transport unions and commercial operators while supporting vehicle conversion and expanding CNG infrastructure.
The President cited developments in several states as evidence of the potential impact of alternative-energy transportation on commuting costs. In Borno State, he said CNG-powered and electric buses charge between N50 and N100 on routes where conventional commercial operators charge between N300 and N600. In Kaduna, 100 CNG buses reportedly provided free transportation on major routes, carrying about 3.2 million passengers in their first year and saving commuters more than N3.5 billion.
Tinubu also disclosed that CNG buses in Oyo State had reduced the Lagos-Ibadan fare from about N8,000 to N3,200, while alternative-energy transport services in Adamawa State had cut fares by up to 50 per cent. In Enugu, he said, the Enugu-Nsukka fare dropped from N2,500 to N1,500. On Abuja routes, CNG-converted vehicles have reportedly delivered a 40 per cent reduction, with fares from Area 1 to Gwagwalada falling from N1,500 to N900, Nyanya from N700 to N420 and Wuse from N400 to N240.
The President said more than 120,000 vehicles had been converted to CNG over the past three years, with over 400 certified conversion centres and more than 90 refuelling stations now operating across the country.
“Now we must move faster and scale this so more Nigerians feel those savings in the fares they pay every day,” Tinubu said, assuring that the Federal Government would continue to support CNG infrastructure, vehicle conversion and greater participation by transport operators, manufacturers and private investors.
