On Monday, the Federal Government officially handed over 20 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to the Oyo State Government. The handover ceremony took place at the Pacesetter Transport Service (PTS) in Eleyele, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
The Chief Executive Officer and Programme Director of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, Micheal Oluwagbemi, represented the Federal Government at the event. During the handover, Oluwagbemi emphasized that the introduction of CNG buses is part of a broader strategy to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on petrol imports and address various challenges facing Nigerians.
“Ibadan has always been a hub for commerce and innovation,” said Oluwagbemi. “This initiative is a testament to Oyo State’s pioneering spirit and is an ideal location to launch the CNG programme. President Bola Tinubu has encouraged us to leverage our gas resources to enhance the transportation sector, boost agricultural productivity, and support other initiatives that will improve the lives of our people.”
He continued, “We are taking crucial steps in the right direction, though it will require us to overcome some obstacles. Returning to policies that impoverish us is not an option. We are committed to this mission as a team.”
Oluwagbemi further stated, “These 20 buses are part of a sustainable partnership with Pacesetter Transport Service to generate revenue, as they are valuable assets. More investments like this are needed to ensure a sustainable mass transit system, which will contribute to a brighter future for Oyo State and Nigeria.”
Salami Dikko, the Chairman and Sole Administrator of PTS, received the CNG buses on behalf of the Oyo State Government. He expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and President Tinubu for the initiative. Dikko noted that when he took office, PTS had only five operational buses, but this number has now increased to 81.
“CNG is the best solution to our transportation challenges,” Dikko said, adding that Governor Seyi Makinde fully supports the initiative to mitigate the effects of subsidy removal. He also urged the Presidential Initiative on CNG (PI-CNG) to provide an additional 100 CNG buses to expand coverage across more routes in the state.
In a goodwill message, Ademola Aderinto, the Special Assistant to Governor Makinde on Environment, praised the initiative, highlighting that CNG is a more economical and environmentally friendly energy source. “The future for Nigeria is CNG,” Aderinto remarked. “It’s natural gas, and it’s exciting to see Oyo State leading the way. We extend our thanks to President Tinubu and Governor Makinde for embracing this change.”
