From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
In a significant step towards enhancing public transportation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the administration officially received four super 50-seater hybrid buses under the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (PCNG) Initiative on Thursday.
Transport Mandate Secretary, Chinedu Elechi, who represented the Minister of FCT, Nyesome Wike, described the move as a major milestone in the Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at providing efficient, affordable, and eco-friendly transport options for residents and visitors alike.
Elechi expressed gratitude for the swift delivery of the buses, which run on both compressed natural gas (CNG) and automotive gas oil (AGO). “When the minister told me we’d be getting four super 50-seater hybrid buses in 24 hours, I said, ‘Are you serious?’ And now, here they are. With these buses, we are talking about moving over 200 people efficiently,” he said. He emphasised the importance of robust public transport for a modern city, noting that “no modern city can survive without it.”
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Elechi added that the buses will serve all commuters, including tourists who rely on public transit, highlighting recent infrastructure projects like new roads, bridges, and modern bus terminals at Mabushi and Kugbo. “We are going to get more buses, and the minister is already working on that,” he added.
Programme Director and Chief Executive of the Presidential CNG Initiative and donor of the buses, Michael Oluwagbemi, underscored the commitment to ensuring that the buses benefit the people of Nigeria, particularly the FCT. “We have identified potential onwards beneficiaries, and the FCT stood out because of its demonstrated support and innovation. The leadership here is unmatched,” he said, praising the FCT for investing in roads and terminals under the guidance of the Honorable Minister, popularly known as Mr. Project.
Oluwagbemi recounted the rapid execution of the initiative: “Right after the decision was made, I spoke to the Mandate Secretary and asked if we could have the buses in 24 hours. He replied within two hours, and here we are today.” He expressed hope that in two to three years, despite owning numerous vehicles, he would choose to leave his car at home and rely on public transit. “That’s how it’s done in developed countries,” he said.
Highlighting the transformative nature of the FCT, Oluwagbemi remarked, “The Nigerian Federal Capital Territory is Nigeria’s most important physical achievement since independence. The land we are on today was not occupied 40 years ago, and here we are, a thriving national capital made possible by Nigerians.” He pledged ongoing support for making compressed natural gas a standard for transportation.
Oluwagbemi concluded by announcing new vehicle plate formats for CNG and electric vehicles coming in September and committed to further collaboration with the FCT. “This is a presidential initiative. Mr. President wants Nigerians to move around cheaper, safer, and more reliably,” he stated.
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