President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Kaduna State Government's Free Compressed Natural Gas Mass Transit Scheme, describing it as a people-focused intervention that provides tangible relief to ordinary citizens. The scheme, which has recorded approximately 3.2 million passenger trips, has saved commuters more than ₦3.5 billion during its first year of operation. Tinubu noted that such interventions are required from subnational governments to reduce transportation costs and ease pressure on households.
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. The programme aims to achieve measurable reductions in transportation costs across the country. Tinubu met with governors on August 27, where a coordinated action to ensure substantial relief in daily commuting expenses from October 1 was resolved.
An implementation committee was constituted under the Nigeria Governors' Forum, with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State appointed to lead it. The committee is working with the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles, state governments, and stakeholders to identify priority transportation corridors and establish an operational framework.
The urgency of the initiative has been heightened by disruptions in global energy supplies, which have driven transportation costs upwards. The Federal Government noted that Nigeria cannot insulate itself from international energy market upheavals, but its abundant gas resources offer a credible pathway towards reducing vulnerability.
Tinubu has reiterated that a return to the costly petrol subsidy regime would expose the Nigerian economy to fluctuations in international oil prices and consume resources required for development. The Federal Government intends to support states that have embraced CNG transportation and help them expand interventions that deliver immediate benefits to citizens.
Responding to Tinubu's commendation, Governor Uba Sani expressed Kaduna State's appreciation for the recognition and reaffirmed his administration's determination to sustain policies that protect vulnerable households and widen access to essential services. Kaduna State continues to set national benchmarks in critical areas, including tackling out-of-school children and expanding vocational training.
The Kaduna Free CNG Mass Transit Scheme reflects the Governor Uba Sani administration's philosophy that public policy must be judged by its discernible effect on citizens' everyday lives. The scheme has become one of the government's most impactful interventions in cushioning the effects of fuel subsidy removal, with Kaduna State remaining the only subnational government providing free CNG mass transit rides to its citizens.
Key points
- President Tinubu commends Kaduna State's Free CNG Mass Transit Scheme for providing relief to citizens
- The scheme has saved commuters over ₦3.5 billion and recorded 3.2 million passenger trips
- The Federal Government aims to accelerate the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme to reduce transportation costs nationwide
