In a gesture to commemorate the country’s 64th independence anniversary, the Federal Government handed over 64 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to representatives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
At the handover ceremony yesterday, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun pledged that the government would ensure that the downward trend of inflation in the country will be aggressively sustained.

Mr. Wale highlighted the CNG initiative’s impact on inflation, saying, “We’ve had an initial spike in inflation, now it has peaked, and it is coming down.
“Mr President and the whole team are determined to ensure that we keep inflation coming down, and this is one of the major ways.”

When deployed for commuter service, the buses will significantly reduce transportation costs in the country, bringing hope for a more affordable and efficient public transport system, he said.
Explaining furhther, he said, “You will spend far less to fuel it. Filling the two tanks you have seen here will cost you about N15,000, as against N72,000 for petrol. It’s a drastic reduction. The private sector is already contributing.

“This is beginning from those who need it the most; the working class will get this. But beyond that, everybody will feel the impact.
“It’s a promise that Mr. president has kept to Nigerians, and we know that very soon, more of these buses will ply all the roads of this country.”

In an attempt to calm citizens afraid of the possibility a gas explosion, Idris said, “Yes, we considered this. There is no risk of explosion. The cylinders themselves, as you have heard, are bulletproof. There are no joints, meaning they are not welded at any joint or parts. “So, they are intact. They are safe, and you would not expect to see any explosion happening. The safety of Nigerians and the buses were considered in the design and supply of these cylinders.”

Other notable government officials at the delegation were Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu; and Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande.