Tinubu Meets Uzodimma, Zulum, Other Governors In Crucial Talks

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced an immediate Federal Government and state-level initiative aimed at reducing transportation costs across Nigeria through greater adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicles.

Tinubu disclosed this on Thursday after meeting with members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, stating that the governors had independently agreed to introduce measures designed to reduce fuel expenses and make transportation more affordable for residents.

According to Ireporter Online, the President said state governments had committed to taking immediate steps to lower transportation fares, particularly by taking advantage of the lower operating costs associated with CNG-powered and electric vehicles.

Tinubu revealed that more than 120,000 vehicles have already been converted to CNG under the Presidential CNG Initiative, while preparations are underway to make an additional 100,000 conversion kits available.

He added that the Federal Government would continue expanding CNG conversion centres and refuelling infrastructure across the country to support the transition to cheaper and cleaner vehicle fuels.

The President also highlighted investments being made through the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, which is currently supporting more than 100 gas-related projects nationwide.

According to him, the projects include 15 CNG mother stations and 86 daughter stations, designed to improve the availability of CNG for motorists and transport operators.

Tinubu recalled that four of the projects were commissioned in May across Lagos, Abuja and Owerri. Among them was a 15-station refuelling network in Lagos and a CNG facility in Abuja capable of serving about 1,000 cars and tricycles as well as 50 trucks and buses daily.

The President further directed the establishment of an additional 500 CNG refuelling stations, increasing the earlier target of 500 stations to 1,000 facilities nationwide.

Tinubu stressed that state governments have significant control over intra-state transportation, where commuters often experience the direct impact of rising fuel costs. He therefore welcomed the governors’ decision to implement measures that would bring the benefits of cheaper fuel closer to Nigerians.

He said a joint Federal and State implementation committee would be established immediately to coordinate the rollout of the initiative and ensure effective implementation across the country.

Tinubu maintained that CNG-powered vehicles could achieve fuel savings of between 60 and 80 per cent compared with petrol-powered vehicles.

He expressed optimism that Nigerians would begin to benefit from the savings through reduced transport fares from October 1, stressing that lower fuel costs should ultimately translate into cheaper transportation for commuters.