FG delivers 64 CNG buses to Labour, student leaders amid rising fuel prices

…Tinubu reiterates commitment to easing cost of living

…As unions express growing frustration over fuel hikes

By Sodiq Adelakun

In a significant move aimed at alleviating the cost of living for Nigerian workers, the government of President Bola Tinubu on Sunday presented 64 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to labour and student leaders at the State House in Abuja.

This initiative, part of a broader promise made during negotiations over the new minimum wage, seeks to address transportation challenges faced by many Nigerians.

During a meeting with key labour unions in July, President Tinubu had initially pledged to provide 36 CNG-powered buses to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The buses, each with a seating capacity of 100, are expected to enhance mobility for workers and students during this turbulent economic period.

Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, articulated that the delivery of the buses represents the administration’s commitment to easing the burden of rising living costs.

“The introduction of these CNG buses is a step towards addressing the challenges posed by inflation and transportation costs,” he stated.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, delivered the buses on behalf of the federal government during a ceremony attended by various labour and student leaders.

“This initiative is not just about transportation; it’s about ensuring that Nigerians can move freely and affordably,” Edun remarked.

In a parallel development, discontent is growing among the populace due to a substantial increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

Following adjustments made by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), retail prices for fuel have soared from N568-N617 to between N855 and N897 per litre, affecting countless Nigerians’ daily commutes. Independent marketers have responded by setting prices between N930 and N1,200 per litre.

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has fiercely criticised this price surge, calling it “an artificial inflation” of essential goods and services nationwide.

National Coordinator Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi stated, “An increase in fuel prices inevitably impacts the cost of living, making it unbearable for ordinary Nigerians. We urge the government to reconsider these hikes.”