The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) has allocated 124 buses to trade unions and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) this year as part of efforts to improve mass transit and promote cleaner energy use. These buses, powered by CNG and electricity, are part of a broader strategy to ease transportation and reduce emissions.
Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, the Programme Director and CEO of PCNGI, explained that the initiative is making strides in providing sustainable transportation solutions. “About 124 CNG buses were allocated to trade unions and NANS nationwide,” he said, adding that these buses are already in use in various regions. “In the case of FCT, Niger, and Nasarawa, 15 high-capacity buses have been received to transport passengers from suburbs to urban areas.”
The initiative also saw a significant contribution to Lagos, with 30 buses allocated to the VI-Ajah route, and 20 buses to Kogi State. States such as Niger, FCT, and Nasarawa now host over 30 conversion centers, and NNPC has opened six new refueling stations.
Oluwagbemi emphasized the importance of trade and student unions in the initiative, noting their role in supporting the President’s agenda for subsidy removal and sustainable energy transition. “It was critical that trade unions and student unions buy into this agenda,” he said. “The unions have enthusiastically deployed their buses, and the TUC has empowered its constituent transport union (RTEAN) to serve the public with these buses.”
The involvement of state governments has also been encouraging, with several states, including Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Kogi, Kano, and others, engaging directly with the initiative. “The Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abulrazaq, has been instrumental in launching mass transit buses and investments in conversion infrastructure,” Oluwagbemi added.
In addition to buses, the initiative has led to the establishment of conversion centers, with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) commissioning a new CNG conversion and training center in Abuja. SMEDAN’s Director General, Charles Odii, highlighted the importance of the center in providing affordable, cleaner energy solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). “This center will help SMEs reduce transportation costs and train young Nigerians in CNG conversion, maintenance, and repair,” Odii said.
Mubarak Umar Danbatta, CEO of Rolling Energy, noted that setting up a CNG conversion center requires minimal investment and provides opportunities for entrepreneurship. “With less than two million naira worth of tools, a space, and a certified number, you can set up a CNG center,” he explained. The PCNGI will provide kits for vehicle conversions, paying technicians 150,000 naira per successful conversion.
The initiative represents a significant step towards achieving a more sustainable and efficient mass transit system in Nigeria while supporting economic growth and reducing reliance on traditional fuels.
