On August 12, 2024, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated 30 hybrid CNG buses in Abuja, marking a significant step towards addressing transportation challenges in Nigeria. The buses, donated by the Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), were designed and manufactured by INNOSON Motors, a Nigerian company.
During the unveiling, Tinubu expressed his administration’s commitment to meeting Nigerians’ transportation needs, highlighting the potential of compressed natural gas (CNG) as an innovative and economic solution. He emphasized that the shift to CNG-powered vehicles represents a necessary advancement in the country’s transportation sector.
“It is a great joy for me to receive these buses on behalf of the government as they represent a significant innovation to the transportation system,” Tinubu said. He pointed out that countries like India have successfully implemented CNG for commercial vehicles, and Nigeria, with its substantial petrol demand, could benefit similarly.
The President thanked INNOSON Motors and other stakeholders for their contributions, asserting that such advancements could enhance Nigeria’s energy competitiveness and drive economic prosperity. He assured that the administration is dedicated to making further improvements in transportation and other sectors.
Mrs. Winifred Akpani, Chairman of DAPPMAN, praised the hybrid buses for their design and functionality, noting that each bus can carry up to 100 passengers and operates on both CNG and diesel. She also highlighted DAPPMAN’s commitment to providing driver training for the buses and supporting the government’s efforts to reduce transportation costs.
“This will contribute to bringing down transportation costs, and we know that if transportation costs come down, food and many other things will follow,” Akpani added.
The introduction of these CNG buses is seen as a crucial step towards modernizing Nigeria’s public transportation system and addressing the country’s high fuel costs.
