As part of the strategy to cushion the effects of subsidy removal, the federal government deployed 20 eco-friendly CNG buses to Oyo State yesterday.
The chief executive officer (CEO) of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, who expressed delight in setting the pace for the CNG platform programme, said their visit to Oyo State was to fulfil President Bola Tinubu’s promise during the electioneering campaign.
He noted that the deployment of CNG buses in the country was to address issues affecting Nigerians, particularly petrol importation.
According to him, the deployment is to end the era of enriching the rich alone. He stressed that compressed natural gas is an abundant source of fuel in Nigeria that can ameliorate hardship.
He said: “Ibadan for generations has always been attractive since it was founded, and it’s a place where commerce thrives and a state of secret billionaires.
“This is to show and demonstrate that Oyo state is indeed dear to Asiwaju and a place first to launch the CNG initiative.
“President Tinubu is asking us to use our gas to thrive in transportation and industries, produce more foods and fertilisers, and do other things that will make life easier for the people.
“We are beginning to do the right thing, but this requires us to taste some pain. We can’t go back to subsidise our impoverishment. As a team, we are determined to show our commitment.
“We are here to present 20 buses as a sustainable partnership with Pacesetter Transport Service (PTS) to generate income because they are assets. So, we need more Dikkos to run more sustainable mass transit. We can effectively ensure that the future of Oyo state and Nigeria are brighter.”
Speaking during the handling ceremony held at the PTS conference room, chairman and sole administrator of Oyo State’s Pacesetter Transport Service (PTS) Salami Dikko expressed gratitude to the federal government and President Bola Tinubu for the laudable initiative.
He maintained that CNG was the best approach to solving transportation problems in the state, stressing that the governor, Seyi Makinde, was keying into the project to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.
Dikko, however, urged the PI-CNG to provide an additional 100 CNG buses to cover more routes in Oyo State.
