By Dare Akogun
In a significant move towards reducing emissions and advancing Nigeria’s energy transition, President Bola Tinubu on Monday inaugurated 30 hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses in Abuja.
Speaking at the inauguration, President Tinubu highlighted the environmental and economic benefits of adopting CNG for transportation, noting that it would significantly reduce transportation costs, lower carbon emissions, and save the country trillions of naira currently spent on importing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
He said the inauguration of the CNG-powered buses signals the federal government’s ongoing commitment to sustainable energy practices, with a focus on reducing emissions, promoting cleaner air, and ensuring a successful energy transition for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“The move to CNG is a crucial step in our energy transition strategy.By reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and embracing cleaner alternatives like CNG, we are not only saving costs but also contributing to a healthier environment.
“These CNG buses are a testament to our commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency,” he said.
The President pointed out that commercial vehicles account for about 80 percent of Nigeria’s petroleum demand, stressing the importance of transitioning this sector to cleaner energy sources.
He cited India’s successful shift to CNG for all commercial vehicles as a model, underscoring the potential for similar benefits in Nigeria.
“In Nigeria, the transportation sector is a major consumer of fossil fuels, contributing significantly to our carbon footprint. By transitioning to CNG, we can drastically reduce our emissions and make significant strides towards meeting our climate goals,” the President added.
President Tinubu also commended Innoson Motors for its role in the CNG initiative, praising the company for its innovation and support in driving Nigeria’s energy transition forward.
Dame Winifred Akpani, Chairperson of DAPPMAN, in her remarks emphasize that the donation of these CNG-powered buses is a step towards addressing Nigeria’s energy challenges and reducing the environmental impact of transportation.
“The deployment of these hybrid buses is not just about reducing transportation costs, but also about supporting the government’s broader goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing our energy transition.
“We are proud that these buses, designed and manufactured by Innoson Motors, represent a key component of our national strategy for a greener future,” Dame Akpani said.
The locally-manufactured buses, produced by Innoson Motors, were donated to the federal government by the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) in partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
These buses, with the capacity to transport 3,000 passengers, are part of a broader strategy to transition Nigeria’s transportation sector towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
