Ekiti State Government has commenced the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses as part of efforts to reduce transportation costs by 50 per cent across the state.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji flagged off the deployment of 15 CNG buses donated by the Federal Government on Wednesday, October 1, as part of measures to cushion the impact of rising transportation costs on residents.
Flag-off of the buses, held at the premises of the Ekiti State Transportation Agency in Ado Ekiti, coincided with Nigeria’s Independence Day and the 30th anniversary of Ekiti State.
Oyebanji, who was accompanied by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, said the initiative was in response to President Bola Tinubu’s directive to state governors to find ways of reducing transportation costs for Nigerians.
According to the governor, the 15 buses represent the pilot phase of the programme, with plans to expand the fleet to reach more residents across the state.
He said the intervention had already resulted in a 59 per cent reduction in transport fares on some routes, while stressing that the broader objective was to achieve a significant reduction in the cost of movement for residents.
“The President charged all state governors that by 1 October, we should find a way of reducing transportation cost because most of the implications we are witnessing, transportation contributes a lot to it,” Oyebanji said.
“What we have done today is just the pilot: 15 CNG buses, which are going to be distributed to the unions, and the agency will manage it.”
Oyebanji urged transport unions to ensure that the savings from the use of CNG buses are transferred to commuters rather than absorbed by operators.
“My appeal is to the unions; they should allow the gains to translate to the commuters because this will reduce transportation cost by 50 per cent,” he said.
The governor said the intervention demonstrated the commitment of both the federal and state governments to improving the welfare of residents through policies aimed at making transportation more affordable.
He also thanked President Tinubu for supporting the state with the CNG buses, saying the intervention would help reduce the financial pressure transportation places on households.
According to Oyebanji, the state government would continue to explore measures capable of easing the economic burden on residents.
He also linked the administration’s ability to implement infrastructure and social programmes to increased resources available to states under the Tinubu administration.
“No matter how visionary a leader is, if there are no resources to work with, it will just stay in the realm of a vision,” he said.
“But the President has been helping and supporting us not only in Ekiti State but in all the states in the country to translate our vision into action and impact for the people.”
After inspecting the CNG buses, Oyebanji visited various parts of the state to inspect ongoing government projects.
Meanwhile, Director-General of the Ekiti State Transportation Agency, Tajudeen Akingbolu, said specific routes had been mapped out for the CNG buses.
He said the buses would operate from Ado Ekiti to major destinations including Lagos, Ibadan, Onitsha and Abuja.
Akingbolu said the initiative would provide residents with a more affordable and reliable option for interstate travel while helping to ease the impact of high transport fares.
The deployment of the buses forms part of broader efforts by the government to expand access to cheaper public transportation and cushion the effects of rising living costs on Ekiti residents.
