CNG fare cuts remain limited as states struggle to roll out buses
Transport fares remained largely unchanged in several Nigerian states as the October 1 start of the Federal Government’s monitoring of Compressed Natural Gas and electric-vehicle fare reductions took effect. Officials cited ongoing deployments in some states, while findings pointed to limited coverage, scarce refuelling facilities and incomplete vehicle conversions.
Transport fares remained unchanged, and in some cases increased, in several Nigerian states despite President Bola Tinubu’s call for cheaper journeys through Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses from October 1. Checks by The PUNCH found that the directive had not translated into broad fare reductions in Enugu, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Gombe, Edo, Plateau, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Ogun states. Some state governments have introduced subsidised or free CNG transport schemes, but the initiatives cover limited routes.
Many commuters therefore remain dependent on commercial buses whose operators continue to face high fuel, spare-parts and maintenance costs. Transport unions in some states said they had not received CNG buses. Motorists also reported shortages of refuelling facilities and conversion centres, obstacles that have slowed the wider adoption of alternative-fuel vehicles.
Tinubu had urged state governments on September 19 to ensure that savings from cheaper CNG-powered transport reached passengers through lower fares. The appeal followed an August 27 meeting with the 36 governors on the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme. Ismaeel Ahmed, chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles, said states including Borno, Kaduna, Zamfara and Ebonyi had begun reducing fares through CNG and electric vehicles.
He said October 1 was the date for monitoring the start of reductions, rather than a requirement that every state act simultaneously. Ahmed said Lagos had received 20 CNG buses for use by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority. He said Zamfara had launched 100 electric taxis, Ebonyi offered free transport to some civil servants and students, and Borno charged about N15 on some electric-vehicle journeys that previously cost between N200 and N500.
He acknowledged that the programme had not reached every part of the country but said the Federal Government would continue expanding alternative-fuel transport and monitoring fare reductions on routes where the vehicles operate.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.