President Tinubu Launches 30 Hybrid CNG Buses To Improve Transportation

President Bola Tinubu on Monday launched 30 hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses in Abuja as part of the government initiative to reduce transportation costs, enhance productivity, and save trillions of naira spent on the importation of Premium Motor Spirit and Automotive Gas Oil.

The buses, which can carry 3,000 passengers, were locally manufactured and donated to the federal government by the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

During the inauguration, the president said, "If we can enhance our energy competitiveness and bring about transformative changes like this, we would definitely be able to achieve the prosperity that we are working hard to accomplish for our people," as per the official State House website. "These CNG buses are promising and will enhance our transportation system."

The president pointed out that commercial vehicles use about 80% of the country's petroleum, adding that other countries have switched to CNG for their transportation systems and were seeing positive results.

He highlighted that India made it mandatory for all commercial vehicles to use CNG since 2004. In Nigeria, commercial vehicles account for a significant portion of the country's petroleum demand, costing trillions of naira each month.

"The solution is here. We have it. We will work on it. We promise you, definitely, things will get better. Prosperity will be achieved," the president said.

Tinubu also praised Innoson Motors for supporting the CNG initiative of his administration.

Chairperson of DAPPMAN Dame Winifred Akpani expressed her association's support for the government's efforts to improve the transportation system and reduce costs.

"This batch of hybrid buses, which DAPPMAN is donating to the federal government, is in furtherance to our support for this administration's resolve to address Nigeria's energy challenges," Akpani said. "We are proud to note that these buses have been designed, manufactured, and delivered by Innoson Motors, a Nigerian company."

Earlier this year, the federal government said Nigeria was all set to reduce the importation of Premium Motor Spirit by $4.4 billion every year with the help of CNG adaptation under the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative.