Fuel Subsidy: Abiodun Inaugurates CNG -powered Mass Transit Buses

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Ogun State Governor,  Dapo Abiodun, yesterday launched Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered mass transit buses, to provide cheaper and fuel efficient means of transportation to residents of  the  state.

The buses of different passenger capacities, were launched at the Arcade Ground of Governor’s Office, Okemosan, Abeokuta at a ceremony witnessed by various stakeholders that included leaders of organised labour unions, transport workers associations, traditional rulers, students, market men and women among others.

Abiodun described the event as another remarkable feat in the life of his administration and in a bold step of providing the needed service to the  citizens  of the state.

Stating that the state’s  approach remains unprecedented in the entire country, Abiodun said the project among others, was part of proactive response to cushion the  effects of the policy of deregulation embarked upon by the federal government  as subsidy payments were  no longer sustainable.

He said: “About a year ago, we strategically and proactively formulated our Ogun state energy transition policy and what you are witnessing today is  commencement of the   implementation,  by deploying the use of CNG-fuelled  mass transit buses  and our e-mobility for motorcycles and tricycles .

“These are  better cheaper , cleaner and sustainable means of transportation in our dear state.

“This initiative clearly anticipated the deregulation of the downstream sector  and  fuel subsidy removal, whilst deploying alternative means of running our public transportation with cost effectiveness and environmental friendliness.

“This  became imperative considering the urgent need to create a cleaner environment and also to mitigate the effect of climate change which is real caused by the use of fossil fuels.

“As your  governor , I am extremely delighted  that we are  able to commence the implementation of this laudable initiative, and I am bold enough to say that we have come tops  again as the first state in the country to record this feat.”

The governor said the project  was another successful public/private  partnership  with Spiro,  a company that has deployed successfully in other parts of the sub region.

“The company, has trained our local mechanics who have been actively involved in the  conversion engineering and we will be setting up conversion stations across the three  senatorial districts . This will allow us to commence the rapid  conversion of commercial public mass transit buses and cars .

“Besides reducing the cost of transportation of goods and services  to prices that are lower than before deregulation , this will furthermore and particularly  provide training and  job opportunities for our thousands technicians and mechanics,” He added.

Abiodun also explained how  allocation of the buses was done among sectors and different routes.

“We  have given some buses to indefatigable civil servants /workers , we will be giving some buses to our students campuses.

“We earmarked  some of these buses  to operate from Mowe/Ibafo to Berger Lagos whilst others will be deployed to serve Kuto to Wole Soyinka Train Station in Laderin and some to serve the Onikolobo-Idi-Aba coridor and others  will continue to serve the which is from Ita-Oshin to the Adatan corridor.

“As we expand our fleet, we will be deploying  buses to our major cities like Sagamu-Otta-Ijebu Ode to provide mass transportation for our citizens  particularly for students.

“We have set up a gas refilling  station in Obada Oko and are providing the required  infrastructure across the state  to support the buses, particularly   gas re-fuelling stations along the routes and terminals . In the coming days, these will come on board for operations,” the governor said.

Abiodun said the government appreciates that these are very difficult times and citizens  are all going through a very trying period,.

“We promise we  will leave no stone unturned to ensure that we provide the needed succour and relief to the generality of our people.

“You will  recall that we were one of the first states to implement different transport and peculiar allowances  to cushion the effect of this subsidy removal.

“We are determined and committed to the implementation of our multimodal  transport master plan of the state connecting air, road, sea, and rail.

“We  are pursuing the construction  of a dry port at the Kajola-Papalanto corridor, which will increase our ease of doing business  in the state by providing and alternative to the busy Lagos ports, thereby creating an enabling environment for more investors in Ogun state,” he added.

The governor said that in a  couple of months, he will officially commission and commercial operations will begin at the International Agro-Cargo International Airport located along the Iperu-Ilishan road in the Ikenne Local Government Area of the State.