Commuters across Nigeria are still waiting for lower transport fares despite more than $2.5 billion in private-sector investment attracted by the Federal Government’s compressed natural gas initiative.
The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles said it was working with state governments, transport unions and commercial operators to ensure passengers benefit from cheaper fuel.
Onyekachi Eke, head of brand and communications at the initiative, said the government was introducing stickers showing approved routes and fares on buses deployed under the programme.
“Henceforth, for every bus we give, there will be a sticker to map out the intended routes.
"The routes will be placed on the buses as stickers, and the fare will be there,” she said.
Eke added that “customers will know what they should pay.”
President Bola Tinubu had directed federal and state authorities to reduce transport costs from Oct. 1 by encouraging the use of CNG-powered and electric vehicles.
Eke said Abuja had recorded a 40% fare reduction on designated routes through a partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers.
She also cited progress in Borno, Enugu, Niger and Abia states.
However, she acknowledged that the reductions had not reached every route or commuter.
“Some of these drivers use gas but still charge as normal fares. They get it cheap and make profit,” she said.
The initiative said it had attracted more than $2.5 billion in private investment across refueling stations, conversion centres and vehicle assembly.
It said federal government spending would be reported separately.
Eke said the programme’s goal was to ensure lower operating costs translated into cheaper journeys for passengers.
The initiative is also planning to provide buses to 20 universities under Project Sprout.
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