The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, PCNGi, has donated four 50-seater hybrid buses to the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA.
The buses, which are powered by CNG and Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, also known as diesel, will support public transportation across the capital territory.
The Nigerian government launched the PCNGi in 2023 to promote the adoption of CNG and electric vehicles in the country.
The adoption of CNG is intended to improve the mass transit system, reduce driving costs, and create jobs.
The buses were donated to the FCTA by the Programme Director and Chief Executive of PCNGi, Michael Oluwagbemi, and received by the FCT Mandate Secretary for Transportation, Chinedu Elechi, on behalf of the Minister, Nyesom Wike.
In his speech while receiving the keys, Elechi said the buses would complement ongoing efforts to reposition the public transport system in the FCT and transport over 200 people efficiently.
Elechi disclosed that Wike was working to acquire more buses, adding that this would boost tourism in the FCT.
“So, public transportation is meant to move people from one point to the other, especially those who cannot afford private transportation, or those who can afford private transportation but opt to go on the public system. Because when tourists come in, they do not come with their private transportation. So tourism also depends on a robust public transportation system.
“This is why Wike has built roads, bridges, and is now building bus terminals. We have just commissioned two of the modern bus terminals at Mabushi and Kugbo,” he stated.
Oluwagbemi further said the donation was part of the PCNGi efforts to make CNG a reality for efficient public transportation.
He said the buses would help commuters travel at a lower cost.
“This is a presidential initiative. Mr President wants to see Nigerians move around more cheaply, safely, and reliably. On behalf of Mr President, on behalf of the board of the PCNGi and its management and staff, I hand over these four CNG hybrid buses to the service of humanity and for the employment of the people of the FCT,” he said.
On the choice of the FCTA, Oluwagbemi explained that the administration supports the CNG programme.
He also disclosed that the capital territory has the infrastructure needed to support the CNG initiative.
Presidential CNG Initiative donates four 50-seater buses to FCTA
