On Monday, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated 30 hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)–powered buses in Abuja as part of the Presidential CNG Initiative. The buses, donated by the Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), are locally manufactured and each can carry 100 passengers.
The launch follows recent discussions between President Tinubu and Innocent Chukwuma, CEO of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd., about the future of CNG-powered public transport. Chukwuma had indicated that the public would soon benefit from more CNG buses, reflecting an ongoing partnership with the Federal Government.
President Tinubu highlighted that using CNG would lower transportation costs, increase productivity, and reduce the nation’s dependence on imported petrol and diesel. He praised countries like India for their successful transition to CNG and emphasized the potential for Nigeria to achieve similar benefits.
The buses, designed and built by Innoson Motors, are expected to significantly enhance the nation’s transportation system. DAPPMAN Chairperson Winifred Akpani and NNPC Foundation Managing Director Emmanuella Arukwe expressed support for the initiative, noting that the buses offer a sustainable alternative to diesel and represent a significant step towards addressing Nigeria’s energy challenges.