CNG Fare Cuts Yet to Reach Many States Despite Tinubu’s Directive

Despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive for transport fares to begin falling from October 1 through the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered buses, commuters across several states continue to pay the same fares, with some routes recording increases.

Checks by reporters on Thursday showed that the directive had yet to translate into widespread fare reductions, as several state governments are yet to deploy CNG buses on a scale capable of significantly affecting commercial transport.

In Enugu, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Gombe, Edo, Plateau, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Ogun states, transport fares remained largely unchanged as the October 1 target took effect.

Transport unions in several of the affected states said they had not received CNG buses, while motorists cited inadequate infrastructure, including shortages of refuelling stations and vehicle conversion centres.

Millions of commuters also remain dependent on commercial buses whose operators continue to contend with high fuel prices, rising spare parts costs and maintenance expenses.

President Tinubu had on September 19 urged state governments to ensure that savings from cheaper CNG powered transport translated into lower fares by October 1.

The directive followed his August 27 meeting with the 36 state governors under the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, where he said the shared objective was for more Nigerians to experience “measurable reductions in transportation costs” from October 1.

“I encourage every state to maintain the momentum towards October 1. Work with transport unions and commercial operators. Support conversion and fleet deployment. Facilitate the infrastructure required. Above all, ensure that savings from cheaper energy reach Nigerian citizens through lower fares,” the President stated.

Tinubu also noted that some states were already recording fare reductions through the deployment of CNG and electric buses.

Responding to the findings, Ismaeel Ahmed, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles, said fare reductions had already begun in some states, including Borno, Kaduna, Zamfara and Ebonyi.

Ahmed clarified that October 1 was not a simultaneous nationwide deadline but the date from which the Federal Government would begin monitoring progress across the states.

“The President and the Governors sat on August 27 to make a commitment to deepen the use of alternative fuel vehicles, CNG and electric vehicles, across the country. The Federal Government has made significant investments in infrastructure and equipment over the last three years. The 1st of October is not a be all date when everything happens at once,” Ahmed said.

He cited existing CNG operations in Abuja on high traffic routes such as the Federal Secretariat to Gwagwalada and Kubwa, where fares are significantly lower.

Ahmed also said Lagos had received 20 CNG buses donated to the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority for routes including Lagos Ibadan, while Kaduna had recorded fare reductions after two years of CNG use.

He added that Zamfara recently launched 100 electric taxis with lower fares, while Ebonyi provides free transport for civil servants and students.

In Borno, Ahmed said electric vehicles charge about N15 per trip, compared with between N200 and N500 previously.

Ahmed acknowledged that the initiative had yet to reach every part of the country but described the October 1 target as the beginning of a broader rollout.

“There will be commencement of fare reduction by 1st of October and, God willing, we are going to keep following that up to make sure that we deepen it and it pervades every community and every high traffic corridor,” he said.

However, findings across several states indicate that many commuters are yet to benefit from the expected fare reductions, leaving a large number of passengers still waiting for relief.

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