President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Kaduna State Government’s Free Compressed Natural Gas Mass Transit Scheme, describing it as an example of a people-focused intervention
The president also noted that such interventions are required from subnational governments, to reduce transportation costs and ease the pressure on households
In a post on his official X account, President Tinubu made “special mention” of Kaduna State’s intervention, noting that it demonstrates how the transition to cheaper domestic energy can translate into tangible relief for ordinary citizens
According to the president, the Kaduna State initiative ‘’is more of what we need to see at the subnational level’’’
The presidential commendation came against the backdrop of renewed efforts by the Federal Government and the 36 states to accelerate the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, to achieve measurable reductions in transportation costs across the country
It will be recalled that the President met with the Governors on August 27, where a coordinated action to ensure that Nigerians begin to experience substantial relief in their daily commuting expenses from October 1, was resolved
An implementation committee was subsequently constituted under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, with the Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, appointed to lead it
The committee has been working with the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles, state governments and other critical stakeholders, to identify priority transportation corridors, determine appropriate interventions and establish the operational framework required for effective implementation
The urgency of the initiative has been heightened by disruptions in global energy supplies, which have exerted fresh pressures on petrol and diesel prices, driving transportation costs upwards around the world
The Federal Government noted that Nigeria cannot insulate itself from upheavals in international energy markets, arguing that the country’s abundant gas resources offer a credible pathway towards reducing its vulnerability
The President has always reiterated that a return to the costly petrol subsidy regime, would once again expose the Nigerian economy to fluctuations in international oil prices and consume resources required for development
The Federal Government however intends to support states that have embraced CNG transportation and help them expand interventions capable of delivering immediate and measurable benefits to citizens
Embracing the support, Kaduna State Government pioneered a scheme that is built around a fleet of 100 CNG-powered buses, which has recorded approximately 32 million passenger trips.
According to reports, this support has saved commuters more than ₦35 billion during its first year of operation, establishing it as one of government’s most consequential response to fuel subsidy removal.
Responding to the President’s commendation, Governor Uba Sani expressed Kaduna State’s profound appreciation for the recognition and reaffirmed his administration’s determination to sustain policies that protect vulnerable households, widen access to essential services and place citizens at the centre of governance
“We deeply appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this recognition and for his administration’s continued support to subnational governments in delivering meaningful interventions to our people
“Kaduna State continues to set national benchmarks in critical areas; from tackling the challenge of out-of-school children and expanding vocational training and skills development to pioneering CNG mass transit
“Kaduna remains the only subnational government providing FREE CNG mass transit rides to its citizens With about 3.2 million passenger trips and over ₦3.5 billion saved by commuters in the first year alone, the scheme has become one of our most impactful interventions in cushioning the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
“Our commitment remains clear: to put people first, reduce the burden on vulnerable households and ensure that the dividends of governance reach ordinary citizens,” Governor Uba Sani stated
The Kaduna Free CNG Mass Transit Scheme reflects the wider philosophy of the Governor Uba Sani administration, which is that public policy must be judged not merely by the scale of government expenditure or the ambition of official pronouncements, but by its discernible effect on the everyday lives of citizens