President cites lower fares, new buses, tax waivers to ease transport costs
By Nwafor Sunday, Online News Editor
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said investments in compressed natural gas (CNG) transportation are helping to reduce transport fares and ease the financial burden on Nigerians amid rising petrol prices.
Tinubu disclosed this in a post on his X platform on Sunday, citing accounts from commuters and commercial drivers who said they were spending less on transportation after switching to CNG-powered and electric vehicles.
Addressing a commuter identified as Blessing, the President said her journey from Masaka to Berger in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) now cost ₦500, down from ₦1,500, saving her ₦1,000 per trip.
He also cited the experiences of Ada and Abigail, who reportedly now pay ₦1,600 instead of ₦4,000 to travel from Enugu to Nsukka, saving ₦2,400 per journey.
Tinubu said a taxi driver, Kabir, had reported that spending ₦10,000 on CNG enabled him to make three more return trips than colleagues using petrol.
The President added that he had received encouraging feedback from Borno State, where some commuters reportedly paid as little as ₦50 per trip on CNG-powered and electric vehicles.
According to him, the experiences demonstrate the intended benefits of government investment in alternative-fuel transportation.
“Lower operating costs for drivers should translate into more affordable fares for passengers, leaving families with more money for their everyday needs,” he said.
Tinubu acknowledged that the removal of the petrol subsidy had created difficulties for many households, but said the decision also placed a responsibility on his administration to provide practical alternatives to reduce transportation costs.
He said the government was working with state governments, through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and private investors to expand affordable transport services under the National Affordable CNG Transportation Programme.
More buses, electric vehicles
Responding to a request for more buses from a Nigerian identified as Emmanuel, Tinubu said his administration was working to extend affordable transportation services to more communities.
He disclosed that Ekiti State had received 15 buses in recent weeks, while Lagos received 20 and Akwa Ibom had 50 buses ready for service.
According to the President, Katsina State had introduced 30 CNG hybrid buses and 200 electric tricycles, while Kano had received 30 CNG buses and five electric buses.
He added that another rollout was scheduled for Edo State.
Tinubu also said Kaduna’s 100 CNG buses had transported more than three million passengers to date.
Beyond public transport, he disclosed that more than 400 certified centres had converted over 120,000 vehicles to CNG, while the government was expanding refuelling infrastructure to improve access to the fuel.
Government announces relief measures
The President also acknowledged the pressure rising petrol prices were placing on households and businesses, outlining measures his administration said were aimed at cushioning the impact.
He said the government had waived more than ₦3.3 trillion in fuel taxes and duties.
Tinubu further disclosed that NNPC Retail was foregoing its profit margin for 30 days, with priority given to public transport operators.
He added that the government was working towards a ceiling of ₦1,350 per litre on wholesale petrol supply costs to reduce price volatility.
“These measures are intended to ease the immediate burden while we continue expanding affordable transportation alternatives,” the President said.
The post CNG transport cuts commuters’ fares, saves money – Tinubu appeared first on Vanguard News.