Governors’ CNG Push Vindicates Tinubu’s Cheaper Transport Plan — TDF

The Democratic Front (TDF) has described the decision by state governors to invest in compressed natural gas (CNG) as a boost to President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to reduce transportation costs.

The group said the governors’ resolve showed growing support for the Federal Government’s CNG strategy.

TDF stated this in a statement signed by its Chairman, Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Wale Adedayo.

The group recalled that Tinubu launched the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) in August 2023.

It said the initiative followed the removal of petrol subsidy and sought to provide Nigerians with cheaper energy and transportation.

According to TDF, the administration has continued to pursue CNG infrastructure despite the challenges involved.

“A major source of cheaper energy for Nigerians has remained a key focus of the President since the launch of the PCNGI,” the group said.

TDF said the government had facilitated the construction of 90 certified CNG filling stations and more than 450 conversion centres across 23 states.

It added that over 120,000 vehicles had undergone conversion, while another 100,000 conversion kits were already in use.

The group noted that commercial transporters in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt and Enugu had increasingly switched from petrol to CNG.

It also said several interstate operators had moved from diesel to CNG to cut operating costs.

TDF described the development as evidence that alternative energy could ease the pressure created by the removal of petrol subsidy.

The group acknowledged that CNG adoption remained slow in many parts of the country. It, however, said the governors’ decision to invest in CNG infrastructure could accelerate the transition from petrol.

TDF welcomed the planned collaboration between the Federal and state governments to reduce transportation costs from October 1.

It said the implementation committee would coordinate measures to lower inter-state and intra-state transport fares.

The group also projected that cheaper transportation would reduce the cost of moving food from farms to markets.

“This collective decision by the State Governors has once again validated President Tinubu’s position that the solution to high transportation costs lies in cheaper and affordable energy,” TDF said.

The group argued against returning to what it described as an opaque and unsustainable petrol subsidy regime.

Instead, it called for faster development of CNG and electric vehicles as alternative energy sources for transportation.

TDF blamed the slow spread of CNG infrastructure on the failure of previous administrations to develop the sector adequately.

It urged Nigerians to support the CNG initiative, saying wider access to cheaper energy would benefit households, businesses and the wider economy.

The group expressed optimism that stronger cooperation between federal and state authorities would expand CNG infrastructure nationwide.