For millions of Nigerians battling soaring transport fares, October 1 could bring some relief, as President Bola Tinubu insists cheaper CNG-powered transportation should translate into lower fares across the country.
Tinubu has therefore challenged state governments to ensure commuters actually feel the savings from the Federal Government’s push for compressed natural gas-powered transport.
The President gave the directive on Saturday while updating Nigerians on the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, which followed his August 27 meeting with the 36 state governors.
According to Tinubu, the agreement reached with the governors is expected to deliver “measurable reductions in transportation costs” beginning October 1.
He urged state governments to intensify preparations by working with transport unions and commercial operators, supporting vehicle conversions and expanding fleet deployment.
Tinubu also stressed that the benefits of cheaper energy must not stop with transport operators but should reach ordinary Nigerians through reduced fares.
Several states, he said, are already recording lower transportation costs through CNG-powered and electric buses.
In Borno, Tinubu said commuters pay between N50 and N100 on routes where commercial operators charge between N300 and N600. Kaduna, he added, deployed 100 CNG buses that provided free transportation on major routes, carrying about 3.2 million passengers during their first year and saving commuters more than N3.5bn.
In Oyo, the President said CNG buses deployed to Pacesetter Transport reduced the Lagos-Ibadan fare from about N8,000 to N3,200 during the initial deployment.
Adamawa, according to Tinubu, recorded fare reductions of up to 50 per cent, with fares falling from N8,000 to N4,000. In Enugu, 100 CNG buses reportedly reduced the Enugu-Nsukka fare from N2,500 to N1,500.
Tinubu also cited Plateau, where government-supported buses transport about 13,000 commuters daily for N200, compared with more than N500 charged by commercial operators.
In Abuja, he said CNG-converted vehicles operating through a partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers have delivered a 40 per cent reduction in fares.
He said the Area 1-Gwagwalada fare dropped from N1,500 to N900, while Nyanya fell from N700 to N420 and Wuse from N400 to N240.
On the Suleja-Abuja route, passengers now pay N550 compared with about N800, while Abia has deployed 40 electric buses with fares subsidised by 50 per cent.
Tinubu said the Federal Government would continue supporting CNG infrastructure, conversion capacity and investment from transport operators, manufacturers and private investors.
He also rejected calls to return to the former petrol subsidy regime, arguing that it consumed trillions of naira and left the economy vulnerable to international oil price movements.
“Nigeria has the gas. We are building the infrastructure. We are already seeing the savings,” Tinubu said.
He added that the next step was to expand the programme so more Nigerians could experience the savings through lower transportation fares.
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