The Akwa Ibom State Government will soon launch 10 luxurious Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses in the first phase of efforts aimed at easing high transportation costs for residents following the removal of fuel subsidies.
Governor Umo Eno announced this during an interactive session in Uyo on Thursday held to mark the second anniversary of his administration.
He also revealed that new modern terminals will be built for these buses, and ticketing options will be introduced to make payment more convenient for passengers.
In July 2023, Governor Eno expressed interest in partnering with Innoson Motors after a visit from the company’s Chairman, Chief Innocent Chukwuma.
However, the governor later explained during the state’s 37th anniversary last September that the buses had not yet been launched due to the lack of gas refilling stations.
“We are in search of partners who will provide refilling depots for our CNG buses. Once this is achieved, we will launch the programme. It does not make sense to buy CNG buses without having refilling depots,” the governor said at the time.
Following the removal of fuel subsidies by the federal government in mid-2023, the price of petrol rose sharply affecting transport fares nationwide.
To help reduce these costs, President Tinubu later introduced the Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG).
The programme was officially launched in Uyo last October, where Nsik Motors, a major road transport company, signed an agreement with Pi-CNG and other partners to support the initiative.
The first 10 CNG buses are expected to run on mobile refueling systems until permanent mother and daughter stations are constructed.
In October, Nsikan Johnny, Chairman of Nsik Group (which also owns Nsik Oil and Gas), announced plans to set up three mobile dispensers within six months.
Additionally, Nsik Group has begun building a 10 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCF/D) CNG Mother Station in Esit Eket LGA.
When completed, the plant will supply CNG across Akwa Ibom and neighbouring states such as Rivers, Delta, Cross River, and parts of Abia.
Meanwhile, in September 2023, another gas provider, NIPCO, announced the commissioning of a CNG mother station in Oron to support auto CNG needs in the state.