President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has inaugurated 30 hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses donated by the Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) at the State House in Abuja.
During the launch on Monday, August 12, 2024, Tinubu emphasized the importance of leveraging Nigeria’s vast natural gas resources for the transportation sector.
“Utilizing natural gas to power Nigeria’s transportation industry is the next way to go,” Tinubu stated, highlighting the economic necessity of adopting CNG for public transportation. He pointed out that commercial vehicles account for about 80% of Nigeria’s petrol demand, costing trillions of naira each month.
Tinubu also noted that CNG presents a solution to the recent challenges of high transportation costs faced by Nigerians. “The solution is here, we have it, and we will work on it,” he assured, promising that this shift would lead to better conditions and increased prosperity for the nation.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu referenced international examples, stating, “Countries like India have mandated CNG for all commercial vehicles since 2004,” underscoring the global relevance of the initiative.
The CNG buses, manufactured by Innoson Motors, a Nigerian automobile company, can each transport up to 100 passengers and are equipped to run on diesel if needed, addressing potential concerns about CNG availability.
DAPPMAN Chairman, Winifred Akpani, revealed that the association has made provisions to train drivers and hinted at more donations in subsequent phases. Tinubu praised Innoson Motors and DAPPMAN members for their commitment to “changing the narratives in Nigeria.”
