Ogun to Release 100 CNG Buses, Sets Up Committee on Transport Fares – Abiodun
The Ogun State Government, under the leadership of Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, has announced plans to roll out 100 brand new 18-seater Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to support transporters in the state. This move is part of efforts to mitigate the impact of recent fuel price increases and ensure more affordable transportation for residents.
Governor Abiodun made the announcement during a meeting with transport unions at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Monday. He also revealed that the Federal Government would be providing 20 additional CNG-enabled buses and 500 CNG conversion kits to the Ogun State Government within the week, as part of the federal government’s broader energy transition initiative.
“The Federal Government has started an Energy Transition Program through the Presidential CNG initiative, and I can confirm that the Presidency has approved 20 CNG buses for Ogun State. We will receive these buses in the coming week, alongside 500 CNG conversion kits for immediate vehicle conversion,” said the Governor.
He emphasized that these buses would be distributed to transport unions through a purchase agreement, allowing transporters to pay in installments. He expressed confidence in the transporters’ commitment to using the buses responsibly and repaying the loans in a timely manner.
Committee on Transport Fares
In response to the surge in transportation costs due to the recent hike in fuel prices, Governor Abiodun also announced the formation of a special enforcement committee. The committee, which includes key stakeholders such as the State Police Commissioner, DSS officials, Traffic Compliance Agency (TRACE), transport union leaders, and representatives from the Ministries of Transportation and Trade and Investment, will monitor and regulate transportation fares across the state.
The Governor highlighted concerns over the significant increase in transport fares, which he noted had risen disproportionately following adjustments in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). He expressed dismay that some transporters had increased fares by over 1000%, despite the fact that the fuel price increase was around 30%.
“We’ve seen transport fares rise exponentially, sometimes by 2000%, when fuel prices increase by just 10%. This is unsustainable and unfair to the people,” said the Governor. “If fuel prices have increased by 25% to 30%, transport fares should reflect that change—not more.”
He stressed that the Federal Government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was aware of the challenges posed by the recent fuel price hikes and was implementing measures to alleviate the burden on citizens, including the deployment of CNG buses and the promotion of alternative energy sources.
The state government, through the newly inaugurated committee, will work closely with transport unions to ensure fair pricing and to prevent undue hardship for the public, particularly as fuel scarcity gradually eases.
As the rollout of the CNG buses begins and the conversion of vehicles to CNG-enabled models accelerates, the Governor expressed optimism that competition in the transport sector would stabilize fares and improve the quality of transportation services in Ogun State.
