CNG buses
Trade unions, students got 124 CNG buses, says agency
As part of steps to ease transportation of workers and students, the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) this year gave out 124 buses for mass transit.
The CNG buses were allocated to trade unions and National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
Also, more states are joining the CNG scheme with increase in acquisition of buses and establishment of conversion centres.
The P-CNGi Programme Director/Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, gave further insights yesterday.
He said the main objective of the CNG Initiative was mass transportation, which was already being achieved.
He said: “About 124 CNG buses were allocated to trade unions and National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) nationwide.
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“The state by state report didn’t capture all the states impacted and the impact. In the case of FCT , Niger and Nasarawa, additional 15 High Capacity Buses were received through the Ministry of Transport Partnership with three transport unions, transporting passengers from surburbs of Abuja city to Nasarawa (Keffi, Masaka,Nyanya), Niger (Zuba) and FCT (Gwagwalada).
“We gave 30 to Lagos in the VI-Ajah route via LGA based transit company , Iru land transport. Also, 20 CNG buses to Kogi State.
“Niger , FCT and Nasarawa have over 30 conversion centres in between them and NNPC opened new six refueling centres.”
On the 150,000 kits and 50,000 conversions “expected to achieve” , he said: “For distribution we know we will exceed but may fall short on actual conversions.”
Oluwagbemi explained the rationale for extending the CNG Initiative to trade and student unions.
He said: “It was critical that trade unions and student unions buy into the President’s agenda of subsidy removal and sustainable energy transition”. The provision of CNG buses was part of the deal reached in the process of negotiations and PCNGi delivered these in line with those critical agreements that birthed the reforms.
“The unions have enthusiastically deployed their buses across their operations and dedicated to serving the public. For example the TUC has empowered their constituent transport union (RTEAN) with the buses that is now being utilized.”
On the involvement of states in CNG initiative, Oluwagbemi said “their participation have been appreciable and encouraging. “
He added: “Yes, several state governments have stepped up with regards to CNG and direct engagements have been fruitful to date.”
“For example the Chairman of the Governors forum, the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abulrazaq has been instrumental to the kick off in Kwara State which included PCNGI investments in the dispensing and conversion infrastructure at Ilorin, and launch of buses for Kwara mass transit.”
“ In like manner, Akwa Ibom, Kogi, Kano, Kaduna, Ogun, Ekiti, Oyo, Lagos, Edo, Rivers , Nasarawa, Kebbi, Delta and Benue have all been engaging directly and making progress.”
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