Nigerian govt woos Labour, NANS with 64 CNG buses

As part of activities marking Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary, the Federal Government, Sunday handed over 64 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to representatives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, led the federal government delegation to present the buses at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

Also on the delegation were the Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Abubakar Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, and Ayodele Olawande, Minister of State for Youth Development.

Speaking at the event, Edun said when deployed for commuter service, the buses would significantly reduce transportation costs in the country and restore hope for a more affordable and efficient public transport system.

He said the distribution of the buses was a fulfillment of President Bola Tinubu’s promise to provide affordable and efficient transportation under the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PCNGi) to support Nigerians after the removal of fuel subsidies.

He said the initiative was aimed at alleviating the burden on the poor and vulnerable and support macroeconomic reforms that would position the country on the path to economic stability.

The minister further said the symbolic handover of 64 buses on the eve of Nigeria’s National Day marked the beginning of a broader national rollout.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Govt announces date for commencement of new minimum wage as labour expresses disappointment

He said the federal government planned to distribute over 500 CNG buses and 100 electric vehicles in the first instance.

Edun said: “The CNG initiative aligned with Nigeria’s commitment to cleaner energy while leveraging its energy resources for industrialisation.

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

The minister stressed that the federal government placed emphasis on intervening on the side of workers to ensure cheaper transport to enable them cope with rising prices.

According to him, the CNG initiative will significantly impact inflation positively.

He added: “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.”

By: Babajide Okeowo

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now