PRESS RELEASE

With the successful launch of the pilot scheme in FCT, Alkali promises an extension of Renewed Hope CNG-powered transport scheme to other states of the federation.

Eagles Square, Abuja, Thursday, 28th November, 2024, the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Senator, Said Ahmed Alkali supported by his colleague, the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Honourable Ekperipe Ekpo, and his partner, the Programme Director of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PICNG), Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi to successfully commission and launch 15 (Numbers), 100-Seater capacity CNG-Powered buses which were distributed to three Transport Unions – the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN). and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

With the successful launch, Senator Alkali while addressing the media at the Headquarters of Federal Ministry of Transport immediately after, described the FCT commissioning of the CNG-powered Renewed Hope Transport Scheme as a “pilot scheme”, which the Federal Government has a plan to extend to other States of the federation in due course.

The Honourable Minister proceeded to address the vexed issue of infrastructure maintenance, which is the bane of the type of bus launch done today by stating that his ministry has ensured that the busses will be maintained He revealed that the maintenance concern was why the buses were handed over to the three Transport Unions. Alkali stated that “the Union-operators would ensure the effective use and proper maintenance of these buses.” ’’This is not just about today, but about creating a transportation system that will serve generations to come’’; he stated.

Speaking further, the Honourable Minister appealed to all Nigerians to “embrace this initiative and support the government’s commitment in its effort to move the nation forward by working together to ensure that our resources are being used to our advantage.”
He ended his speech by acknowledging the dedication of everyone who has worked tirelessly over the past month to bring this vision to life and the collective effort of those who believe in a brighter future for our nation.

The launch event was attended by many members of the three Unions as well as others which came to give solidarity to the Unions and support to government for the novel idea of deploying CNG-powered vehicles to bring down the cost of transportation which also heightened the cost of procurement of several other goods and services in the country in recent times.

Report by Peretimi Samuel (NYSC member, Press & Public Relations Unit)
& Onyiyechi Chiekezie (NYSC member, Press & Public Relations Unit)

Signed.
Olujimi Oyetomi, Director, Press & Public Relations.