From Our Correspondent
The Federal Government has donated 64 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
TheNewsZenith reports that a federal government delegation, led by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, made the presentation on Sunday in Abuja.
Our correspondent also reports the presentation was part of activities marking Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.
When deployed for commuter service, the buses will reduce transportation costs in the country.
It will also bring hope for a more affordable and efficient public transport system.
Other members of the government team were the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, and the Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande.
Edun described the presentations as a fulfilment of President Bola Tinubu’s promise to provide affordable and efficient transportation.
“This is to support Nigerians after the removal of fuel subsidies under the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PCNGi).
“The initiative aims to alleviate the burden on the poor and vulnerable and support macroeconomic reforms that would position the country on the path to economic stability,” he said.
The minister further explained the symbolic handover of 64 buses on the eve of Nigeria’s National Day.
He said it marks the beginning of a broader national rollout, with the plan to distribute 500 CNG buses and 100 electric vehicles in the first instance.
He added that the CNG initiative aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to cleaner energy while leveraging its energy resources for industrialisation.
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“Today marks another critical milestone in the policies of President Tinubu. It is a transition to cleaner fuel. It is for Nigerians and the emphasis is on mass transit.
The minister said the emphasis on intervening so that workers can have cheaper transport to cope with rising prices.
Edun highlighted the CNG initiative’s impact on inflation.
“We’ve had an initial spike in inflation, now it has peaked and it is coming down.
“Mr President and the whole team are determined to ensure that we keep inflation coming down, and this is one of the major ways,” he said.
The Coordinating Minister noted that the cost of CNG-powered vehicles is about one-third of the cost of petrol-powered vehicles.
He said motorists can now pay as low as N15,000 to fill a tank instead of N50,000 or more.
“Today, it is CNG. Tomorrow, it will be helping farmers to cope with the remainder of the wet season planting and then the dry season planting.
“This will start in November with fertiliser, inputs, seeds and herbicides. All these will bring down prices and get the economy moving again,” he said.
In appreciation, the Secretary-General of TUC, Comrade Nuhu Toro; NANS President, Comrade Lucky Emonefe and the Head of International Desk of NLC, Comrade Uche Ekwe, commended President Tinubu for the gesture.
They called for more CNG buses to be made available to the public.
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