The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Foundation has contributed 10 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) initiative.
The Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, expressed excitement about the foundation’s involvement in the project in an interview with State House correspondents after President Bola Tinubu commissioned some CNG businesses.
According to her, it aligns with their energy and environmental focus areas.
“We committed 10 CNG buses to DAPPMAN, which we delivered today. We are excited to be part of this initiative. Although it is an NNPC initiative for us in the foundation, we are committed to our area of focus: energy and the environment.”
Arukwe highlighted the significance of CNG buses to the economy, noting that fueling them is more cost-effective than conventional fuels.
She emphasised that using CNG buses will significantly reduce transportation fares, benefiting the public and boosting the economy.
“It’s significant because filling those ten buses will cost a little money. We know that CNG is much cheaper, apart from being clean. The price will be way down because it is cheaper to fuel the vehicle. So, for the public, this is the way to go.”
President Bola Tinubu has declared Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transportation an economic necessity for Nigeria, signalling a significant shift in the country’s approach to public transportation and energy use.
During the commissioning of 30 hybrid-powered CNG buses at the State House in Abuja on Monday, President Tinubu emphasised the urgent need for Nigeria to utilise its vast natural gas resources in the transportation sector.
The President drew attention to international precedents, noting that countries like India have mandated CNG for all commercial vehicles since 2004.
He said, “Countries like India have mandated CNG for all commercial vehicles since 2004; in Nigeria, commercial vehicles make up about 80 per cent of our petrol demand, costing us trillions of naira each month.
“The solution is here. We have it, and we will work on it. We promise that things will improve and prosperity will be achieved.”
He pointed out that in Nigeria, commercial vehicles account for about 80% of the country’s petrol demand, costing trillions of naira each month.
“The solution is here, we have it, and we will work on it,” Tinubu assured, promising that this shift would lead to better conditions and increased prosperity for Nigerians.
He stressed that leveraging Nigeria’s abundant gas deposits could enhance the nation’s energy competitiveness and bring about transformative changes.
He emphasised that the nation can enhance its energy competitiveness, facilitating definite changes and resulting in prosperity and accomplishment for Nigerians.
“It is a great inspiration for me to receive these buses on behalf of the government, making it a significant innovation to the transportation system.
“Utilising natural gas to power Nigeria’s transportation Industry is the following way to go.
“Solution is here, we have it, and we will work. On it, we promise you things will get better and prosperity will be achieved”.
The President stressed that, given Nigeria’s colossal gas deposit, the federal government would work towards achieving a more productive and innovative CNG-powered transportation system for citizens.
President Tinubu also lauded Innoson Motors and other members of DAPPMAN.
“I thank Innosson Motors and others who have been committed to changing the narratives in Nigeria.
The hybrid CNG buses, donated by the Depot and Petroleum Product Marketers Association (DAPPMAN), were designed and manufactured by Innoson Motors, a Nigerian company based in Anambra State.
Each bus can transport up to 100 people and has the flexibility to run on diesel if needed, addressing potential CNG shortage concerns.
Speaking to State House Correspondents later, DAPPMAN chairman Winifred Akpani, on the pledge of 100 buses made last year, said, “Certainly, this is part of what we promised last year. We did say at least 50 buses. Today, we brought 30, DAPPMAN brought 20, and another more extensive marketer brought 10.
“They are not here right now, but it is the beginning. You know the independent marketer is quite large, and we hope this will spur others to do more.
So, in every state in Nigeria, you will see CNG buses, which is essential. CNG buses are supposed to bring down the cost of transportation.
“As we heard the President said that 80 per cent of our fuel is being spent on commercial vehicles, we are hoping that this one, to a large extent, will enhance our prosperity in Nigeria.”
Also speaking, the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, said NNPC contributed 10 of the 30 buses presented by DAPPMAN to the President.
“We committed 10 CNG buses to DAPPMAN, which we delivered today. We are excited to be part of this initiative. Although it is an NNPC initiative for us in the foundation, we are committed to our area of focus: energy and the environment.
“As you know, these are CNG buses; they are clean energy buses; aside from that, we are focused on access to energy. So, it aligns with our vision and objective, so we are excited that we are part of NNPC’s drive towards ensuring that people have access to energy, especially towards making sure that people have access to dual fuel, which is environmentally friendly.”
On its significance to the economy, Arukwe said: “It’s very significant because filling those ten buses will cost a little money. We know that CNG, besides being clean, is much cheaper because it is cheaper to fuel the vehicle so that the price will be way down.
So, for the public, this is the way to go. Because once they can pay for their transport fire, as we know, people will move around a lot. These huge buses can take up to 100 people, so it is significant that if we have more CNG buses, the transport fare will be significantly reduced. It will help the economy regarding people moving around, which differs from what we have with the PMS.”
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