Lawmaker backs CNG buses

Ademorin Kuye, head of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets, has called on state governors and local government chairmen to adopt compressed natural gas (CNG) buses for public transportation. This plea comes after the launch of 37 CNG-powered buses in Abuja by the Federal Government's CNG Initiative, aimed at subsidizing transit for workers amid rising fuel prices and the cost-of-living crisis following the removal of the petrol subsidy.

Kuye praised the government's move, stating it provides "a concrete, measurable step" to alleviate the financial strain on workers. He emphasized the initiative's potential to reduce dependence on petrol and offer environmental advantages due to lower emissions. However, Kuye cautioned that the initial deployment of 37 buses is insufficient for Abuja's workforce and urged broader adoption across states and local governments.

He urged them to collaborate with the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI) and private operators to facilitate the conversion of buses and secure financing. Kuye called for the Federal Ministry of Transportation and PCNGI to accelerate the expansion of the program across Nigeria, emphasizing the critical need for widespread implementation to significantly ease the transportation burden on workers and commuters.