Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
As part of effort to cushion the effect of subsidy removal, the Ogun State Government on Monday launched the Compressed Natural Gas(CNG) powered mass transit buses to ease transportation citizens as well as goods and services from one place to another.
Governor Dapo Abiodun stated this at the launching of the maiden Compressed Natural Gas(CNG) Powered Mass Transit Buses held at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Secretariat, Abeokuta, the State Capital.
He said that there was urgent need to consider the use of CNG transit due to the deregulation of the downstream sector and fuel subsidy removal by the federal government as alternative means was needed to reduce the cost of transportation.
Abiodun stated further that the initiative was in line with the state government energy transition policy about a year ago through the use of CNG fueled mass transit buses and e-mobility for motorcycles and tricycles to achieve a cheaper and sustainable means of transportation in the state.
He said that the CNG powered mass transit bushes was another successful Public Private Partnership with Spiro company involved in training local mechanics in conversion engineering in order set up conversion stations across the the three senatorial district of the state.
The governor divulged that such training would allow speedy conversion of commercial public mass transit buses and cars thereby reducing the cost of transportation of goods and services and create a cleaner environment as well as mitigating the effect of climate change which is real caused by the use of fossil fuels (diesel and petrol).
He noted that a gas filling station had been set up at Obada Oko axis of the state, adding that his government was also providing the required infrastructure for the smooth operations of the buses especially more gas re-fueling station along routes and terminals across the state.
Abiodun however stated the locations the buses were earmarked for operation from Mowe/Ibafo to Berger Lagos; Kuto to Wole Soyinka Train Station in Laderin; Onikolobo-Idi-Aba coridor and Ita-Oshin to the Adatan corridor as the buses would be deployed to major cities like Sagamu, Otta and Ojebu- Ode.
He said “Our approach remains unprecedented in the entire country . This amongst others is part of our proactive response to cushion the effects of the policy of deregulation embarked upon by the Federal Government as subsidy payments were no longer sustainable”
“About a year ago we strategically and pro actively formulated our OGUN state energy transition policy and what you are witnessing today is which commencement of the implementation, by deploying the use of CNG fueled mass transit buses and our e-mobility for motorcycles and tricycles . These are better cheaper , cleaner and sustainable means of transportation in our dear state.”
“This initiative clearly anticipated the deregulation of the downstream sector and fuel subsidy removal whilst deploying alternative means of running our public transportation with cost effectiveness and environmental friendliness.”
“This became imperative considering the urgent need to create a cleaner environment and also to mitigate the effect of climate change which is real caused by the use of fossil fuels (diesel and petrol).”
“As your Governor , I am extremely delighted that we are able to commence the implementation of this laudable initiative, and I am bold enough to say that we have come tops again as the first state in the country to record this feat”
“This yet another yet another successful Public Private Partnership with Spiro a company that has deployed successfully in other parts of the sub region . They have trained our local mechanics who have been actively involved in the conversion engineering and we will be setting up conversion stations across the the three senatorial districts”
“This will allow us to commence the rapid conversion of commercial public mass transit buses and cars.
Besides reducing the cost of transportation of goods and services to prices that are lower than before deregulation , this will furthermore and particularly provide training and job opportunities for our thousands technicians and mechanics.
“We have given some buses indefatigable civil servants /workers , we will be giving some buses to our students campuses . We earmarked some of these buses to operate from Mowe/Ibafo to Berger Lagos whilst others will be deployed to serve Kuto to Wole Soyinka Train Station in Laderin and some to serve the Onikolobo-Idi-Aba coridor and others will continue to serve the which is from Ita-Oshin to the Adatan corridor,” he added.
