Maiduguri:Nigerians are experiencing a reduction in transportation costs as the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG and EV) expands CNG and electric vehicle deployment throughout the country.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Ismaeel Ahmed, Executive Chairman of Pi-CNG and EV, stated that the initiative is part of the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, which aims to lower transportation costs by leveraging the reduced operating expenses of alternative energy sources. President Bola Tinubu had set October 1 as the deadline for seeing these reductions, with federal and state governments increasing their support for CNG and electric mobility.
In Borno, the introduction of 500 electric tricycles, 20 electric buses, and 150 electric saloon cars and taxis, along with eight solar-powered charging terminals, has led to significantly subsidised fares. The state is also enhancing its CNG infrastructure with three new stations in Maiduguri. Abia State has also launched 40 electric buses, offering public transportation at half the usual fare, while Zamfara State is introducing 100 electric taxis with fares reduced by 40%.
The impact of these efforts is visible in places like Enugu State, where 100 CNG buses have reduced fares on major routes, and in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where CNG-powered buses offer significant savings compared to diesel buses. Lagos has seen fare reductions on several routes, and similar proposals are in place for states like Uyo, Edo, Delta, Jigawa, Ogun, and Oyo.
Delta State is supporting this transition with 22 electric vehicle charging stations, and Kaduna State is offering free transportation on major routes with 100 CNG buses, saving commuters over N3.5 billion. Niger and Ebonyi states are also enhancing their alternative-energy transport infrastructure, with Pi-CNG and EV working to further expand services and infrastructure.
Pi-CNG and EV has designated 61 new buses for commercial operations across various states and is collaborating with industry partners to establish 150 CNG refuelling stations by 2026. Ahmed emphasizes that the October 1 target is part of a broader effort to continue reducing fares through expanded CNG and EV infrastructure.