President Bola Tinubu has officially launched 30 hybrid-powered Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses at the State House in Abuja. The buses were donated by the Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN).
During the inauguration on Monday, Tinubu stressed the urgent need for Nigeria to harness its abundant natural gas resources for the transportation sector. He highlighted CNG transportation as an economic necessity for Nigeria, marking a significant shift in the nation’s public transportation and energy use strategies.
“Utilising natural gas to power Nigeria’s transportation industry is the next way to go,” Tinubu stated, emphasizing that CNG could offer a solution to the recent challenges of high transportation costs faced by many Nigerians.
In a statement from his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu noted international examples, such as India, which has mandated CNG for all commercial vehicles since 2004. He pointed out that in Nigeria, commercial vehicles make up about 80% of the country’s petrol demand, costing trillions of naira monthly. “The solution is here, we have it, and we will work on it,” Tinubu assured, promising that this transition would improve conditions and increase prosperity for Nigerians.
He emphasized that utilizing Nigeria’s vast gas deposits could enhance the nation’s energy competitiveness and drive transformative changes. The hybrid CNG buses, designed and manufactured by Innoson Motors, a Nigerian automobile company based in Anambra State, can transport up to 100 people each and have the flexibility to run on diesel if needed, addressing concerns about potential CNG shortages.
Winifred Akpani, DAPPMAN Chairman, revealed that the association has made provisions for driver training and hinted at further donations in future phases, highlighting the private sector’s commitment to the CNG initiative.
Tinubu praised this development as a significant and positive advancement for the Nigerian transportation system. He also commended Innoson Motors and other DAPPMAN members for their dedication to “changing the narratives in Nigeria.”
