By Joke Kujenya
PRESIDENT BOLA Tinubu has commissioned 30 hybrid compressed natural gas (CNG) buses at the State House in Abuja.
The inauguration took place on Monday, with a significant contribution from the Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
Of the buses, 20 were donated by DAPPMAN, while NNPC provided 10.
All the buses were assembled locally by Innoson Motors, reflecting a growing partnership between the government and the Nigerian automobile manufacturer.
In a post on X, Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, highlighted the significance of the event, emphasizing the government’s commitment to promoting CNG as a viable alternative to petrol.
Innoson Motors CEO, Innocent Chukwuma, recently met with President Tinubu, where they discussed the company’s efforts in pioneering CNG vehicle production in Nigeria.
Chukwuma expressed optimism about the future of CNG in the country, predicting that these buses would soon become a common sight on Nigerian roads.
The push for CNG adoption began after President Tinubu announced the end of the subsidy on premium motor spirit (PMS) on May 29, 2023.
Following this, the federal government has been actively promoting CNG as a sustainable alternative.
On July 31, 2023, the president revealed plans to invest N100 billion in acquiring 3,000 units of 20-seater CNG-powered buses.
The government also announced the waiver of value-added tax (VAT) on CNG bus purchases and plans to remove duties on related parts to encourage adoption.
In a further step to boost the initiative, the federal executive council (FEC) directed all government agencies to procure CNG-powered vehicles.
This directive aligns with the administration’s broader goal to transition Nigeria towards cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.
