President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated 30 hybrid-powered Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, marking a significant step towards transforming Nigeria’s transportation sector.
The buses, donated by the Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), were launched at the State House in Abuja on Monday.
During the inauguration, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of leveraging Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources to power the country’s transportation industry. He described CNG transportation as an economic necessity for Nigeria, signaling a strategic shift in energy use and public transportation.
“Utilising natural gas to power Nigeria’s transportation industry is the next way to go,” Tinubu stated, highlighting the potential for CNG to address the recent surge in transportation costs affecting many Nigerians.
In a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu pointed to international examples, noting that countries like India have mandated CNG for all commercial vehicles since 2004. He stressed that in Nigeria, commercial vehicles account for approximately 80% of the country’s petrol demand, costing trillions of naira each month.
“The solution is here, we have it, and we will work on it,” Tinubu assured, adding that this initiative would lead to improved conditions and greater prosperity for Nigerians. He underscored the transformative potential of harnessing Nigeria’s vast gas reserves to enhance the nation’s energy competitiveness.
The newly launched hybrid CNG buses were designed and manufactured by Innoson Motors, a Nigerian automobile company based in Anambra State. Each bus can accommodate up to 100 passengers and has the capability to run on diesel if CNG supplies are disrupted, addressing potential concerns about fuel availability.
DAPPMAN Chairman, Winifred Akpani, shared that the association has made provisions to train drivers and hinted at additional donations in future phases, demonstrating the private sector’s commitment to the CNG initiative.
President Tinubu praised this development as a significant and forward-looking improvement to Nigeria’s transportation system. He also commended Innoson Motors and DAPPMAN members for their dedication to “changing the narratives in Nigeria.”
This initiative is expected to pave the way for broader adoption of CNG in Nigeria, reducing reliance on petrol and contributing to a more sustainable and economically viable transportation sector.