Tinubu to govs: Emulate Uba Sani on mass transit scheme

President Bola Tinubu has urged state governments to expand cheaper transport initiatives, citing Kaduna State’s free compressed natural gas mass transit scheme as an example of how alternative energy can reduce commuting costs.

Tinubu made the call while providing an update on the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, which he said was designed to deliver measurable reductions in transportation costs from October 1.

The President specifically highlighted Kaduna’s deployment of 100 CNG-powered buses under Governor Uba Sani, saying the buses carried about 3.2 million passengers during their first year and saved commuters more than N3.5 billion in transport costs.

He said similar interventions were needed across the country to ensure that savings from cheaper energy were passed on to commuters through lower fares.

“Above all, ensure that savings from cheaper energy reach Nigerian citizens through lower fares,” Tinubu said.

The President’s position followed his August 27 meeting with the 36 state governors, where he said they agreed to work towards measurable reductions in transportation costs from October 1.

An implementation committee was subsequently established under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, chaired by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The committee is working with the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles, state governments and other stakeholders on priority transport routes and appropriate interventions.

Tinubu said the push had become more urgent amid renewed pressure on global energy supplies and rising petrol and diesel prices.

He argued that Nigeria’s gas resources provided an opportunity to reduce the country’s exposure to international energy price shocks, while ruling out a return to the petrol subsidy regime.

The President also cited other state-level initiatives. In Borno, he said CNG-powered and electric public transport services charge between N50 and N100 on routes where commercial operators charge N300 to N600.

He said CNG buses deployed by Pacesetter Transport in Oyo reduced the Lagos-Ibadan fare from about N8,000 to N3,200 during the initial deployment, while alternative-energy transport services in Adamawa had cut some fares by up to 50 per cent.

In Enugu, Tinubu said 100 CNG buses had reduced the Enugu-Nsukka fare from N2,500 to N1,500, while government-supported buses in Plateau carry about 13,000 commuters daily at N200, compared with commercial fares of more than N500.

Reacting to the President’s commendation, Governor Uba Sani thanked Tinubu and said his administration would continue to pursue policies aimed at reducing pressure on vulnerable households and improving access to essential services.

Sani said Kaduna had recorded about 3.2 million passenger trips through its free CNG bus scheme, with commuters saving more than N3.5 billion in the first year, according to state government figures.

The governor said the state would sustain its investment in mass transit and other interventions designed to ease the economic burden on residents.

The Federal Government has said it will continue supporting states with CNG infrastructure, vehicle conversion and other measures intended to expand alternative-energy transportation across the country.