Sam Philip
In fulfillment of part of promises to cushion the impacts of the fuel subsidy removal, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has handed over 64 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to representatives of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
They buses are expected to serve commercial purposes with view to reducing cost of transportation.
According to a post by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Sunday, the CNG buses are to bring hope for a more affordable and efficient public transport system.
According to Onanuga, the buses were handed over to the representatives of the beneficiary groups at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.
At the event, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, led the government delegation that included 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.
According to Edun, the distribution of the CNG buses was in fulfillment of President Bola Tinubu’s promise to provide affordable and efficient transportation to support Nigerians after the removal of fuel subsidies under the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PCNGi).
He assured that the buses would alleviate the burden on the poor and vulnerable and support macroeconomic reforms that would position the country on the path to economic stability.
Edun disclosed that there was a plan to distribute over 500 CNG buses and 100 electric vehicles at first set which aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to cleaner energy.
He said: ”Today marks another critical milestone in the policies of President Tinubu. It is a transition to cleaner fuel. It is for Nigerians.”