The Federal Government has handed over a fleet of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered buses to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) as part of its ongoing efforts to promote cleaner energy and improve public transportation in the nation’s capital.
The donation, which took place in Abuja on Wednesday, is aimed at reducing transportation costs, cutting down harmful emissions, and easing the burden of fuel subsidy removal on residents of the FCT.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Transportation, Said Alkali, noted that the gesture was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to implement a nationwide CNG initiative to provide Nigerians with affordable and eco-friendly mass transit options.
“These buses are not just a gift; they are a statement of our commitment to a greener environment, reduced dependency on petrol, and the provision of safer, more reliable public transportation for our citizens,” he said.
Receiving the buses, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, commended the Federal Government for the intervention, assuring that the vehicles would be deployed on strategic routes to serve residents efficiently and at subsidised fares.
He stressed that the FCTA was committed to ensuring proper maintenance of the buses and transparency in their management, adding that a monitoring committee would be set up to oversee their operations.
The Federal Government had earlier announced plans to roll out over 5,000 CNG-powered buses nationwide under its “Presidential CNG Initiative” as part of measures to cushion the impact of economic reforms and transition towards cleaner energy sources.
The FCT is expected to be one of the first cities to benefit fully from the programme, with the buses set to commence operation in the coming weeks.
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