The Ogun state government on Monday officially launched the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Buses meant to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
Speaking at the launch of the buses at the Arcade ground, oke mosan, Abeokuta, Governor Dapo Abiodun noted that the buses where cost effective and environmental friendly.
He stated that the conversion stations will be set up across the three senatorial district in the state.
“What you are witnessing today is the commencement of the implementation of that policy. We are doing that by deploying the use of our compressed natural gas fueled mass transit buses and our e-mobility for our motorcycle and tricycle. These are better, they are more efficient in term of consumption of fuel to cost, they are cleaner and they are a more sustainable mean of transpiration anywhere in the world and we are starting that in Ogun state being the first state in Nigeria.”
“This initiative was clearly anticipated because we knew that the deregulation of the downstream sector is imminent and unavoidable. This has become very imperative considering the urgent need to provide a cleaner environment and also to mitigate the effect of climate change which caused by fossil fuel.”
“We will be setting up conversion stations across the three senatorial district of our state. This will allow us to commence the rapid conversion of commercial, public mass transit buses and vehicles.”
“Besides reducing the cost of transportation of goods and services to prices that are lower than before deregulation. This will further more provide training and job opportunities for thousands of our technicians and mechanics across the state.”
Governor Abiodun said that the state government took the initiative for the provision of the CNG buses from the policies and programmes of President Bola Tinubu.
The buses according to the governor will be deployed to different route including Mowe to Ojodu Berger, Kuto to Train station, Ita-Oshin to Adatan, among others.
“We have earmarked some of these buses to operate between Mowe, Ibafo to Berger in Lagos while others will be deployed to serve Kuto to Wole Soyinka train station in Laderin, some others will be deployed to Onikolobo-Idi Aba corridor, while we would continue to serve the Ita-Oshin to Adatan corridor.”
“As we expand our fleet, we would be deploying buses to our major towns and cities. We will start with Sango-Ota, Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode.”
“We have set up a gas refill station in Obada-oko and we will provide the required infrastructure across the state to support the refueling of this buses.”
“I promise you that we will leave no stone unturn and ensure that we provide the needed succour and relief to the generality of our people.”
“We are doing this having taken the direction from our President, Bola Tinubu. These are initiatives that the president has introduced and we as subnational are just domesticating this policy.”
The governor also disclosed that the state would soon launch it e-mobility programme.
