The Ministry of Transportation has handed over 15 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses to three major transport unions in the country to promote cleaner energy transportation.
The beneficiaries include the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), according to the Ministry
Senator Said Alkali, Minister of Transportation, says that the handover is a key milestone in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Clean Energy Transport Scheme, during the ceremony held at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
The initiative, the Minister says, will create access to cleaner energy solutions and alleviate economic challenges caused by the removal of fuel subsidy. “This initiative will create access to cleaner and more affordable energy solutions, reducing transportation costs for operators and commuters alike,” according to Alkali.
The Minister described the initiative as a “pilot scheme,” with plans by the Federal Government to expand the project to other states in the future.
For the Minister, the broader importance of the project is that “ they also allow us to monitor and ensure the safety and efficiency of the transportation sector, ultimately benefiting all Nigerians”
Dr. Musa Maitakobi, Executive National President of RTEAN, praised the government’s efforts saying the initiative will enhance the lives of citizens challenging times.
“CNG buses,” Maitakobi says, “will provide free transportation to individuals in need, creating a ripple effect of positivity throughout our communities. We will not only be easing the financial strain on families but also contributing to a greener and more sustainable environment.”
The Minister says that transport unions must ensure that the buses are well-maintained and used effectively and that Nigerians should support the initiative. “This will no doubt make the initiative popular, acceptable, and reliable to enhance the welfare of Nigerians, which the President is passionate about providing.”
Addressing concerns about infrastructure maintenance, which he identifies as a recurring challenge in similar initiatives, Alkali assures stakeholders that provisions had been made to ensure the buses’ upkeep. This was a key reason for handing over the vehicles to the three transport unions, he says.
“The union operators will ensure the effective use and proper maintenance of these buses,” the Minister adds. “This is not just about today, but about creating a transportation system that will serve generations to come.”
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