FG donates 64 CNG buses to labour, student unions

Abuja, Sept. 30, 2024 -The Federal Government has donated about 64 buses fixed with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) facility to the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday,

He said the buses were handed over to the beneficiaries on Sunday at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary

The statement said the buses were donated to the unions to assist in their commuter services and serves as harbinger to a more affordable and efficient public transport system in Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, said the distribution of the buses was in fulfillment of the federal government to provide affordable and efficient transportation to support Nigerians after the removal of fuel subsidies under the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PCNGi).

“Today marks another critical milestone in the policies of President Tinubu. It is a transition to cleaner fuel. It is for Nigerians. The emphasis is on mass transit.

“There is a focus on intervening on the side of workers so that they have cheaper transport to cope with rising prices. 

“We’ve had an initial spike in inflation; now it has peaked, and it is coming down. Mr. President and the whole team are determined to ensure that we keep inflation coming down, and this is one of the major ways.

“Today, it is CNG. Tomorrow, it will be helping farmers cope with the remainder of the wet season planting and then the dry season planting, starting from November, with fertilizer, inputs, seeds, and herbicides. 

“This is all to get prices down and get the economy moving again,” he said.

Edun said the initiative would alleviate the burden on the poor and vulnerable and support macroeconomic reforms that would position the country on the path to economic stability.

He also said the gesture marked the beginning of a broader national rollout, with plans to distribute over 500 CNG buses and 100 electric vehicles in the initial phase.

Other ministers at the event included At the event were Wale Edun, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Abubakar Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, and Ayodele Olawande, the Minister of State for Youth Development.   (GBN)