Despite promises made by the federal government to ease the burden of increased fuel prices on Nigerians through the introduction of high-capacity CNG buses, recent findings by the African Health Report (AHR) reveal that 20 of these buses are currently lying idle at the federal Secretariat car park in the FCT.
The initiative, which was meant to kick off in November, saw the government allocating N100 billion for the procurement of the buses as part of the palliatives following the removal of fuel subsidies. However, it seems that the buses have yet to be put into operation.
According to AHR findings, the converted LNG-CNG buses remain stationary due to the high cost of gas, which currently stands at N1,500 per kg.
A mechanic working on the buses confirmed this, stating, “The government-owned buses have not been operational due to the cost implications of using gas as opposed to petrol.”
In contrast, privately owned transit buses parked at the same spot have been in use, operating presently only on the Gwagwalada axis with affordable fares.
With no timeline given for when the government buses will become operational, Nigerians are left wondering if this promised solution to transportation challenges will ever materialize.
