The Federal Government’s efforts to enhance public transportation received a significant boost yesterday as 90 high-capacity Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses were delivered. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasizing the economic benefits and cost-saving potential of CNG buses, personally accepted 30 of the buses at the Presidential Villa, while representatives took delivery of 60 more in Lagos.
Of the buses received in Abuja, 20 were produced by Innoson Motors, a Nigerian auto manufacturer, and were donated by the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN). The remaining 10 buses were provided by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) Foundation.
During the symbolic inauguration of the vehicles at the forecourt of his office, where five buses were showcased, President Tinubu highlighted the advantages of CNG-powered vehicles. “Countries like India have mandated CNG for all commercial vehicles since 2004,” he said. “In Nigeria, commercial vehicles account for about 80% of our petrol demand, costing us trillions of naira each month. The solution is here, and we are committed to working on it.”
He further emphasized the economic necessity of adopting natural gas for powering Nigeria’s transportation sector, promising that this initiative would bring prosperity and reduce transportation costs for Nigerians. “Utilizing natural gas in our transport industry is the future,” Tinubu added. He also expressed gratitude to Innoson Motors and others involved in this innovation.
DAPPMAN Chairman, Winifred Akpani, explained that the buses were designed and manufactured by Innoson Motors in Nnewi, Anambra State. Each bus, capable of transporting 100 passengers, can run on both CNG and diesel. She assured the government of continued support and expressed hope that more donations would follow to expand the use of CNG buses across the country.
Emmanuella Arukwe, Managing Director of NNPCL Foundation, noted the importance of this initiative in promoting clean energy and providing affordable transportation. She emphasized that fueling CNG buses is more cost-effective compared to traditional fuels, which will help reduce transportation fares and stimulate economic growth.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the presentation as a significant step towards the Tinubu Administration’s goal of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, including CNG.
In Lagos, the hybrid buses, which can operate on both CNG and petrol, were handed over to officials from the Ministry of Finance and representatives of the Presidential Initiative for Compressed Natural Gas (P-CNGi) at a brief ceremony at the Jet Motor Company plant in Ajah. Dimas Hamidu, Technical Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, praised the quality of the vehicles and commended the company for its work.
Hamidu noted that these vehicles would help address transportation challenges and alleviate the impact of rising costs following the removal of the petrol subsidy. He expressed optimism that more CNG buses would soon be on Nigerian roads, contributing to the country’s economic and environmental goals.
Jet Motor Company’s Managing Director, Derek Ewelukwa, thanked the government for the opportunity to contribute to an efficient transportation model. He explained that each hybrid vehicle is equipped with two CNG tanks, providing a combined capacity of 220 liters and a range of 300 kilometers, along with an 80-liter petrol tank. The CNG tanks have a lifespan of 15 years, allowing for seamless switching between gas and petrol.
Other officials from the Ministry of Finance, including Balarabe Tukui, Okeke Osita Gabriel, and Oluwole Akinwunmi, also attended the ceremony, highlighting the government’s commitment to expanding the use of CNG-powered vehicles in Nigeria.
