Ekiti State Rolls Out CNG Buses, Slashes Transport Costs by Half

The Ekiti State Government has initiated a significant move to alleviate the financial strain of transportation on its citizens by introducing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses. This strategic deployment aims to slash public transport fares by a remarkable 50 percent. Governor Biodun Oyebanji officially launched the first batch of 15 CNG buses on Thursday, marking the commencement of this initiative at the Ekiti State Transportation Agency premises in Ado-Ekiti.

This launch, strategically timed to coincide with Nigeria’s Independence Day and Ekiti State's 30th anniversary, aligns with the state government's broader commitment to ensuring affordable and accessible public transportation. Governor Oyebanji confirmed that this effort is a direct response to a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

During the flag-off event, where he was joined by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Governor Oyebanji disclosed that the 15 buses were a donation from the Federal Government and represent the pilot phase of the programme. He further assured residents that the state intends to expand this fleet to ensure a wider reach and allow more people to benefit from the intervention. The Governor emphasized the critical role of reduced transportation expenses in easing the current economic pressures faced by citizens.

"The President charged all state Governors that by October first, we should find a way of reducing transportation cost because most of the implications we are witnessing, transportation contributes a lot to it and what we have done today is just the pilot: 15 CNG buses, which are going to be distributed to the unions, and the agency will manage it," Oyebanji stated. He appealed to transport unions to ensure that the cost-saving benefits of these CNG buses are directly passed on to commuters through significantly lower fares. "My appeal is to the Unions; they should allow the gains to translate to the commuters because this will reduce transportation cost by 50 percent," he reiterated.

Governor Oyebanji extended his gratitude to President Tinubu for the Federal Government's crucial support, acknowledging that the provision of these buses would substantially lessen the transport burden on Ekiti residents. He also highlighted how the current administration’s economic policies have opened doors for state governments to implement programmes and projects that directly impact the populace. "No matter how visionary a leader is, if there are no resources to work with, it will just stay in the realm of a vision," Oyebanji remarked. "But the President has been helping and supporting us not only in Ekiti State but in all the states in the country to translate our vision into action and impacts for the people."

Providing further details on the operational aspect, Tajudeen Akingbolu, the Director-General of the Ekiti State Transportation Agency, confirmed that specific routes have already been designated for the new CNG buses. These routes will connect Ado-Ekiti with major cities like Lagos, Ibadan, Onitsha, and Abuja. Akingbolu added that this initiative is set to offer residents more economical and dependable interstate travel options, thereby mitigating the impact of soaring transport costs on daily commuters. The state government affirmed its ongoing commitment to exploring various measures aimed at reducing transportation expenses and enhancing access to affordable public transport across Ekiti State.