morganABLE politics/Governance
Kuye commended the Federal Government for introducing the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention for workers whose incomes have been significantly eroded by transport expenses.
KaNo —
A lawmaker has called on state governments and local government chairmen across Nigeria to adopt compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered mass transit systems to ease the rising cost of transportation for workers.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets, Ademorin Kuye, made the appeal on Friday while reacting to the rollout of 37 CNG-powered buses in the Federal Capital Territory under the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI).
The buses are designed to provide subsidised transport for civil servants and other commuters in Abuja, where many residents have faced steep increases in transport fares following the removal of petrol subsidies and the resulting spike in the cost of living.
Kuye commended the Federal Government for introducing the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention for workers whose incomes have been significantly eroded by transport expenses.
He said the development marks an important shift towards cleaner and more affordable public transportation, while also offering relief to households struggling with inflationary pressures.
According to him, transportation costs have become a major drain on the monthly earnings of Nigerian workers, particularly junior and mid-level civil servants who rely heavily on daily commuting.
“The high cost of transportation has for months constituted heavy burdens on the take-home pay of Nigerian workers, with fuel-dependent transit fares consuming a disproportionate share of monthly earnings for junior and mid-level workers,” Kuye said.
“By providing a subsidised, low-emission mass transit option, the Federal Government has taken a concrete, measurable step towards cushioning the effect of the removal of the petrol subsidy on the ordinary worker.”he added.
CNG Buses To Reduce Dependence On Petrol
He added that the introduction of CNG buses could help reduce dependence on petrol and diesel, while also contributing to environmental sustainability due to their lower emissions profile.
Kuye noted that beyond economic relief, the policy also aligns with global trends towards cleaner energy transitions in the transport sector.
The lawmaker, however, cautioned that the deployment of 37 buses in Abuja was insufficient to address the broader transportation challenges facing public sector workers across the country.
“While this step by the Federal Government is commendable, 37 buses cannot adequately meet the transportation needs of the government’s workforce in Abuja, let alone the millions of state and local government employees across the federation who face the same cost-of-living pressures,” he said.
Kuye Calls On State Govs To Invest In CNG
Kuye therefore urged state governors and local government chairmen to replicate the initiative by investing in CNG-powered transport systems or converting existing buses to run on compressed natural gas.
He argued that a broader adoption of such schemes would create more sustainable relief for workers than temporary cash transfers or one-off interventions.
“I therefore call on state governors and local government area chairmen to emulate this initiative and urgently procure CNG buses for conveying civil servants or convert existing buses to CNG for the transportation of civil servants and other passengers,” he added.
He also described structured mass transit systems as a more durable solution to Nigeria’s transport challenges, noting that regular access to affordable mobility could improve productivity and reduce financial stress on workers.
Kuye further called for collaboration between subnational governments, the Presidential CNG Initiative, and private sector operators to expand access to conversion kits, technical expertise, and financing options.
He also encouraged state legislatures to exercise their oversight functions to push for the adoption of similar policies within their jurisdictions.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has continued to promote the CNG initiative as part of broader measures aimed at cushioning the economic impact of fuel subsidy removal and accelerating the transition to alternative energy sources in the transport sector.
Officials say the programme is also intended to reduce pressure on petrol demand while lowering transportation costs for commuters.
Expert Calls For Safety Measures As CNG Program Expands
In a related development, an energy and mechanical engineering expert, Mrs. Funmilade Akingbagbohun, has called for stronger safety and regulatory safeguards as the CNG programme expands across the country.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Akingbagbohun commended the government’s efforts to scale up CNG adoption but warned that rapid expansion must be matched with strict engineering standards, monitoring systems, and professional accountability to avoid safety risks.
According to her, all CNG-converted vehicles should be subject to mandatory national inspection and periodic recertification throughout their operational lifespan, rather than a one-time certification after conversion.
“The vehicle should not simply be inspected once after conversion. There should be mandatory periodic inspection, just as roadworthiness is required,” she said.
Akingbagbohun also proposed the creation of a digital CNG identity system for every converted vehicle, which would link each unit to its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), conversion kit, cylinder, installer, and full inspection history.
She said such a system would improve traceability and accountability across the value chain.
She further outlined key safety areas that should be regularly monitored, including cylinder integrity, mounting conditions, valve performance, leak detection systems, pressure-relief devices, and electrical connections.
She also emphasised the importance of monitoring engine compatibility, ventilation standards, and crash safety compliance.
The expert called for the establishment of a national accreditation framework for CNG conversion technicians and engineers, insisting that only certified professionals should be allowed to carry out conversions.
She said accredited centres must meet strict requirements, including calibrated equipment, approved procedures, and emergency response capacity.
In addition, she advocated the creation of a National CNG Safety and Incident Data System to capture information on conversions, cylinder replacements, accidents, leaks, fires, and system failures.
According to her, such a database would allow regulators to track safety performance and identify systemic risks early.
She noted that while Nigeria has made significant progress in developing technical standards through relevant agencies, stronger enforcement mechanisms are still needed to ensure consistent compliance as adoption expands.
“Technically, Nigeria has made significant progress; institutionally and enforcement-wise, I would say there is still room to strengthen the systems as adoption expands,” she said.
As Nigeria deepens its push towards gas-powered transportation, both policymakers and experts agree that the success of the CNG initiative will depend not only on expansion and affordability, but also on safety, regulation, and sustained investment in infrastructure and technical capacity.
