The Niger State Government has entered into agreements with four contracting firms to acquire a minimum of 200 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, amounting to N7 billion.
This initiative aims to alleviate the challenges posed by the removal of fuel subsidies by providing free transportation services to school pupils and students across the state. Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago revealed this development during the signing of the agreements at the Government House in Minna. The delivery of these buses is anticipated to be completed within a 12-week timeframe.
Governor Bago emphasised that procuring these buses is a fulfilment of his commitment to offer free transportation services for schoolchildren.
Additionally, the governor mentioned that transportation fares would be subsidised for all civil servants. He outlined the distribution plan, stating that the first 100 buses will be deployed to serve commuters between Abuja and Suleja, with 50 more allocated for use in Minna, the state capital. The remaining 50 buses will be distributed to other local government areas, and a further 300 buses will be acquired in the following year as part of the second phase of the program. This endeavour not only seeks to revolutionise the transportation system but also aims to reduce road accidents.
