In a bid to alleviate the transportation challenges facing Nigerians, the Federal Government has handed over 64 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to representatives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). This gesture comes as part of the government's efforts to reduce the cost of transportation in the country, following the removal of fuel subsidies under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The handover ceremony took place at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on Sunday, coinciding with Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary celebrations. Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, who led the government’s delegation, described the initiative as a fulfillment of President Tinubu’s commitment to providing affordable and efficient transportation, particularly for the poor and vulnerable. Edun emphasized that this project marks the start of a national rollout, with plans to distribute over 500 CNG buses and 100 electric vehicles across the country.
“This initiative is part of broader economic reforms that aim to alleviate the financial burden on Nigerians,” Edun stated. “The use of CNG is not only more affordable but also aligns with Nigeria’s push for cleaner energy solutions.” He added that CNG-powered vehicles would allow motorists to save significantly on fuel costs, reducing their expenses by up to two-thirds compared to petrol-powered vehicles.
The initiative was well-received by labor and student leaders present at the event. Comrade Nuhu Toro, Secretary-General of the TUC, and Comrade Lucky Emonefe, NANS President, expressed their appreciation for the gesture and urged the government to continue expanding the availability of CNG buses nationwide. Emonefe further praised the government's efforts in supporting education and student welfare, particularly through the recent introduction of a student loan scheme.
As Nigeria continues its transition to cleaner energy, the handover of these buses represents a significant step toward improving public transportation, easing inflationary pressures, and fostering economic stability.
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