President Bola Tinubu launched thirty buses powered by hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) on Monday in Abuja as part of his Presidential CNG Initiative.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) donated the Innoson-manufactured CNG buses to the federal government.
Each of the buses can move 100 passengers.
The Monday launch occurred a few days after the president met behind closed doors at the Aso Rock Villa on 8 August with Innocent Chukwuma, the founder and CEO of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited.
Chukwuma said Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses would soon provide the general public with more affordable transit.
The Presidential CNG Initiative, in his words, is "the way forward" for Nigeria.
At the launch, the president said Nigeria would save trillions of naira on gasoline and diesel imports, increase productivity, and lower transportation costs by using natural gas to power the transportation sector.
“If we can enhance our energy competitiveness and bring about transformative changes like this, we will be able to achieve the prosperity we are working hard to accomplish for our people,” President Tinubu said.
“These CNG buses are encouraging and promising to enhance our transportation system,” he added.
Tinubu commended Innoson Motors, the vehicle manufacturers, for their commitment to his administration’s CNG initiative.
Government Buys Additional 70 Buses
Also, on Monday, the federal government received 70 hybrid buses from Jet Motor Company to enhance the country’s transportation sector.
Members of the Presidential Initiative for Compressed Natural Gas and Ministry of Finance officials witnessed the handover of the buses at the Jet Motor Company plant in Lagos State.
A finance ministry spokesperson said several companies have been contracted to supply CNG vehicles.
