adminThe Ogun state government has on Monday unveiled 17 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Mass Transit Buses which will alleviate the suffering brought about by the federal government removal of fuel subsidy.
The CNG buses which happens to be first in the country with the deployment of CNG Technology and E- Mobility according to the governor is a better alternative and feasible mode of transport in the Gateway State.
Governor Abiodun noted that the plan was envisaged even before the termination of fuel subsidies since his administration desired a cost-effective transport system with minimum environmental impact.ย
“The initiative was clearly anticipated because we knew that the regulation of the downstream sector was eminent and unavoidable.
“This has become very imperative considering the urgent need to provide a cleaner environment and to mitigate the effects of climate change which we are all seeing to be real and which principally is caused by the use of fossil fuel, predominantly diesel and petrol.
“As your governor, I am extremely delighted that we are able to commence the implementation of this laudable initiative and I am bold to say that we come tops yet again as the first state in the country to record this feat which is another successful Public Private sector partnership with our partner called Spiro, a company that has successfully deplored this in other parts of the West Africa sub-region,” the governor said.
He stated that local mechanics involved in conversion engineering had been trained, and that conversion stations had been established in the state’s three senatorial districts, adding that this would allow for the rapid conversion of commercial and public mass transit buses and vehicles throughout the state.
The plan, according to the governor, will lower the cost of carrying products and services while also providing training and job possibilities for thousands of technicians and mechanics across the state.
The governor disclosed that some of the buses would be given to workers and students, while some would ply the Mowe- Ibafo to Berger in Lagos and Redeemed axis to Lagos Island,.
“Some of these buses ply Kuto to Wole Soyinka train station in Laderin, some from Onikolobo to Idi-Aba corridor, while others will serve Ita-Oshin-Adatan route. As we expand our fleet, we will also deplore the buses to major towns and cities starting with Sango- Ota, Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode and this will provide mass transportation for our citizens particularly our young students in the towns and cities.”
Abiodun praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the initiative, stating that the state government is following the federal government’s lead as a sub-national in carrying out the project.
The unveiling of the buses, according to Commissioner for Transportation Engr. Olugbenga Dairo, marks an important milestone in the implementation of the state’s transport policies and the state multi-modal transport plan, adding that the use of alternative and cheaper fuels is also one of the key reasons why the state government established the ministry of transportation in February, 2020.
