FG hasn’t fulfilled CNG buses conversion promise – NURTW

The National Union of Road Transport Workers stated that the Federal Government has not fulfilled its promise to help transporters convert their buses to CNG, to minimise the effects of the removal of petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023.

NURTW spokesperson, Segun Falade, told The According on Friday, “It was going to be in phases. 1,000 buses was supposed to be available first. Then we made the outcry that the number of CNG buses was too small for the country. We advocated for 10,000 buses.

“So, instead of waiting for the conversion process to be completed, we ordered 5,000 buses. As we speak now, there are 5,000 buses available on the ground to be shared. But most of them are still being kept at the conversion facilities.”

President Bola Tinubu, during his inaugural speech as the 16th President of Nigeria on May 29, 2023, in Abuja, announced an end to petrol subsidy regime.

“Subsidy is gone!” Tinubu exclaimed.

The pronouncement caused petrol prices to skyrocket from an average of N238.11 per litre before May 29, 2023, to an average of N750/liter, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

In October 2023, the President introduced the Presidential CNG Initiative to promote safer, more affordable, and eco-friendly energy solutions. The initiative plans to roll out 5,500 CNG buses and tricycles, 100 electric buses, and over 20,000 CNG conversion kits.

Falade expressed frustration over the incomplete consignment process, noting, “The consignment from the conversion facilities has been done, but not wholeheartedly the way we expected it. We are just waiting for activations. So, we are expecting the rest to be distributed. We are expecting others to be launched.”

According to him, the plan was initially scheduled to be completed by May 29, but unforeseen issues have caused delays.

“We had some issues along the line, so we are awaiting distribution, especially with a lot of issues coming out from this protest. I believe the government is not taking it lightly,” Falade explained.

Recall that the Presidency in April 2024 said it was ready to launch about 2,700 CNG-powered buses and tricycles before May 29 when President Bola Tinubu turned one year in office.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, titled ‘Presidential CNG initiative set for rollout,” it read, “From the end of May, Nigeria will take some baby steps to join such nations that already have large fleets of CNG vehicles.

“All is now ready for delivery of the first set of critical assets for deployment and launch of the CNG initiative ahead of the first anniversary of the Tinubu administration on May 29.

“About 2,500 of the tricycles will be ready before May 29, 2024…working towards delivering 200 units before the first anniversary of the Tinubu administration.”