Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has announced plans to introduce 100 brand new 18-seater Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to alleviate the burden on transporters and ensure stable fare pricing in light of the recent fuel price hike.
Speaking during a meeting with leaders of transport unions at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Monday, the governor also revealed that the Federal Government would be providing 20 CNG buses and 500 vehicle conversion kits to the state within the week. These efforts are aimed at easing the transition to cleaner energy and addressing the rising cost of transportation due to the increased price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
“In response to the current economic challenges, we are committed to supporting our transport unions by making available 100 brand new CNG-powered buses. These are Toyota Hiace buses, and they will be offered to you under a flexible payment plan,” Governor Abiodun said. “You will have the opportunity to pay for these buses in installments, allowing you to continue operating efficiently without passing on excessive costs to commuters.”
Governor Abiodun further noted that the Federal Government’s Presidential CNG Initiative is designed to support the transition to cleaner energy in the transport sector. “As part of this initiative, Ogun State will receive 20 CNG buses and 500 conversion kits to enable vehicles to switch from petrol to CNG. This will help reduce operating costs and promote sustainability,” he added.
In response to concerns about rising transport fares, the governor expressed his dissatisfaction with the disproportionate increase in fares following the recent fuel price adjustments. He emphasized that while the fuel price rose by approximately 30%, transport fares in some areas had increased by over 1000%.
“We’ve observed that whenever there is a slight change in fuel prices, transport fares increase drastically. This is unfair to the public, especially when the price hike is relatively modest. If fuel prices increase by 25% or 30%, we should expect transport fares to rise in proportion, not by exorbitant amounts,” he said.
To address these concerns, the governor announced the creation of an enforcement committee. The committee, which will include representatives from the Ogun State Police, the Department of State Security Service (DSS), the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), and transport unions, will work to ensure transport fares remain reasonable and reflective of actual costs.
Prince Abiodun also reassured residents that fuel supplies are gradually stabilizing and that his administration is working to mitigate the effects of the fuel price hike. “We understand the challenges faced by transporters, but we must strike a balance to ensure the people are not unduly burdened by excessive fare hikes,” he stated.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, echoed the governor’s sentiments, reminding transporters that fuel is only one aspect of their operational costs. He urged them to consider the overall economic situation and adopt a more measured approach to fare increases.
Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, emphasized that the recent rise in PMS prices did not justify the extreme increases in transport fares and called on transporters to implement a more reasonable fare structure.
Responding on behalf of the transport unions, Prince Samsudeen Apelogun, National President of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), praised Governor Abiodun’s efforts to transform the transport sector. He promised that the unions would meet to agree on more reasonable fare increases that would not unduly affect commuters.
