Ogun State Government Unveils Plan to Introduce 100 CNG Buses, Establishes Committee to Regulate Transport Fares

In a bid to improve the transportation sector and mitigate the effects of fuel scarcity, the Ogun State Government has announced plans to introduce 100 brand new 18-seater Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses for transporters in the state. Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun made this known during a meeting with transport unions at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Monday.

The governor also announced the inauguration of an enforcement committee to ensure fair transportation pricing in the state. The committee comprises the State Police Commissioner, the Department of State Security Service (DSS), the Traffic Compliance Agency (TRACE), and heads of transport unions, as well as representatives from the Ministries of Transportation and Trade and Investment.

Governor Abiodun noted that the meeting was called due to the recent fuel scarcity and associated increase in pump prices, which has led to an astronomical rise in transport fares. He emphasized that the federal government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is putting measures in place to lessen the impact on the people.

The governor disclosed that the 100 CNG buses would be made available to transport unions under a purchase agreement, with the option to pay in installments over a period.

He also announced that the Federal Government would provide 20 CNG-enabled buses and 500 conversion kits to the state government during the week.

Governor Abiodun urged transporters not to increase transport fares by over 1000% when the price of PMS was just increased by 30%. He emphasized that the change in price is about 25% or 30%, and therefore, transport fares should not increase by more than 25% or 30%.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, reminded transporters that fuel is just a component of their transportation cost and urged them to ensure that the people of the state are not over-stretched.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Abiodun Alamutu, also called on transporters to consider a more friendly transport fare regime.

Speaking on behalf of the transport heads, the National President of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Prince Samsudeen Apelogun, commended Governor Abiodun for revolutionizing the transport sector and promised to work with stakeholders to come up with a more friendly transport fare.