FG Distributes CNG Buses in Lagos

The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi) distributed 20 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses in Lagos on Tuesday, marking a significant step in the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce reliance on petrol and diesel. The buses were officially received by the Oniru of Iru, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbbolahan, on behalf of Iru Land Transport Company Limited. Oluwagbemi Michael, the Director of PCNGi, emphasized the administration’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria has a sufficient number of CNG buses. This initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader strategy to transition the country towards cleaner energy sources and reduce dependency on traditional fossil fuels.

Michael also highlighted that the Federal Government is working diligently to establish enough CNG filling stations across the country to support this transition. He noted that the buses distributed were produced locally, with plans to procure additional units to meet the growing demand. However, he clarified that the beneficiaries of these buses would be required to pay for them over time, with the funds being reinvested to acquire more buses for other regions. “These buses were purchased by the Federal Ministry of Finance under the palliative programme,” Michael explained. “They are being assembled and manufactured here in Nigeria. People have been asking where the buses are, and the answer is that they were under production. Now that some are ready after testing, we’re starting the rollout as promised. Yesterday, we distributed the first set in Ibadan, today in Lagos, and soon we’ll be in the Federal Capital Territory and Ilorin. These will be the first four cities.”

Michael further stated that 531 buses would be made available to commercial drivers in the first phase of the programme. The Federal Ministry of Finance is overseeing this procurement, and the buses will be provided on a partnership basis with transport operators. The cost of the buses will be recovered gradually through passenger fares, enabling the government to acquire more buses and extend the benefits of the programme to other Nigerians. On receiving the buses, the Oniru of Iru expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu and the Federal Government for including his kingdom in this initiative. He assured the government of the people’s full support, noting that the initiative would significantly boost the local economy, particularly through job creation. This distribution marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s shift towards cleaner energy and highlights the government's focus on sustainable development and economic growth.