By Abubakar Yunusa
The presidential compressed natural gas initiative (P-CNGi) has commenced enforcement of a 40 percent fare reduction on commercial vehicles converted to run on compressed natural gas (CNG).
The initiative was flagged off on Friday at the Area 1 Motor Park in Garki, Abuja, in collaboration with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
It was learnt that NURTW members who have converted their vehicles will implement the fare reduction.
Speaking at the event, Michael Oluwagbemi, chief executive officer (CEO) and programme director of P-CNGi, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to make transportation more affordable for Nigerians.
David Idakwo, the regional CNG expansion coordinator for the north, represented Oluwagbemi.
“Our goal is to ease the financial burden on Nigerians by making public transport more affordable,” he said.
“We’ve partnered with NURTW, converted a large number of their vehicles, and agreed that fare reductions will follow as a direct benefit to commuters.”
Oluwagbemi said after meeting with the union, it obtained and jointly analysed the transport fares charged from Area 1 to different destinations when they were running on petrol, and achieved a 40 percent reduction in the fares.
“Area 1 to Gwagwalada when they were on fuel was going for N1,500; we have been able to reduce it to 900, while Area 1 to Bwari/Dutse is also reduced from N1,500 to N900,” the P-CNGi CEO said.
“Area 1 to Kuje is reduced from N1,200 to N720; Area 1 to Galadimawa is reduced from N500 to 300; Area 1 to Mpape is reduced from N1,000 to N600; while Area 1 to Zuba also reduced from N1,500 to N900.
“Area 1 to Lugbe reduced from N700 to N420; Area 1 to Jabi has also been reduced from N700 to N420; Area 1 to Wuse is reduced from N400 down to N240, while Area 1 to Nyanya has been reduced from N700 to N420.
In addition, Oluwagbemi said the transport fare from Area 1 to Kabusa was cut from N800 to N480, while that of Area 1 to Apo was reduced from N500 to N300.
He said more vehicles are undergoing conversion, adding that the project will extend to other parks across the capital and the nation.
The programme director said all converted vehicles will carry a P-CNGi sticker for easy identification, noting that a joint task force has been deployed to ensure compliance.
“Passengers are encouraged to report violations through P-CNGi’s hotline (07000000264) or by email via info@pci.gov.ng,” he added.
Oluwagbemi said over 50 percent of NURTW’s registered commercial vehicles have been converted, with special attention now turning to airport shuttle operators, who are expected to roll out new fare rates soon.
On his part, Ibrahim Jubril, secretary of the NURTW Garki branch, commended the federal government for the initiative and said the union is fully committed to enforcing compliance among its members.
“We are here to protect our passengers’ interests and ensure they truly benefit from this intervention,” he said.
He said vehicles that have undergone conversion will have fare tags, allowing passengers to identify them easily.
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