By Jimmy Fatunbi
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive that transport fares should begin to decline from October 1 through the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses, commuters in several states across the country continue to grapple with unchanged or, in some cases, increased transportation costs.
Findings by The PUNCH on Thursday revealed that the President’s directive had yet to produce widespread reductions in transport fares, as many state governments were still struggling to translate the CNG initiative into tangible relief for commuters.
Although some states have introduced subsidised or free transportation services using CNG-powered buses, the schemes remain limited in scope and coverage. Consequently, millions of commuters still depend on commercial transport operators who cite rising fuel prices, the high cost of spare parts and vehicle maintenance as major constraints.
In several states, transport unions disclosed that they were yet to receive CNG-powered buses, while commercial motorists identified inadequate supporting infrastructure, particularly the shortage of refuelling stations and vehicle conversion centres, as major obstacles to the adoption of the alternative fuel.
The situation was particularly noticeable in Enugu, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Gombe, Edo, Plateau, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Ogun states, where investigations showed that transport fares had largely remained unchanged as the October 1 target took effect.
Tinubu had, on September 19, called on state governments to ensure that the cost savings associated with CNG-powered transportation were passed on to commuters through reduced fares beginning October 1.
The President made the appeal in a statement updating Nigerians on the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, which was established following his meeting with the 36 state governors on August 27.
According to him, the Federal Government and the governors had agreed to ensure that Nigerians began to experience measurable reductions in transportation costs from October 1.
“I encourage every state to maintain the momentum towards October 1. Work with transport unions and commercial operators. Support conversion and fleet deployment.
“Facilitate the infrastructure required. Above all, ensure that savings from cheaper energy reach Nigerian citizens through lower fares,” he said.
Tinubu also noted that some states had already recorded reductions in transport fares through the deployment of CNG-powered and electric buses.
However, the Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles, Ismaeel Ahmed, maintained that the programme was already yielding results in some parts of the country.
Speaking to The PUNCH on Thursday, Ahmed identified Borno, Kaduna, Zamfara and Ebonyi as some of the states that had commenced fare reductions through the deployment of CNG-powered and electric vehicles.
He added that reductions had also begun on selected routes ahead of the Federal Government’s October 1 target.
Reacting to the newspaper’s findings, Ahmed clarified that October 1 was not intended as a deadline for all states to introduce fare reductions simultaneously. Rather, he explained, it marked the commencement of the Federal Government’s nationwide monitoring of the programme’s implementation.
He said, “The President and the Governors sat on August 27 to make a commitment to see that they have deepened the use of alternative fuel vehicles, that is CNG and electric vehicles, in different parts of the country.”
