The federal government has inaugurated its conversion incentive programme in Kogi and donated 10 compressed natural gas-powered buses to ease transportation.

The Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, spoke during the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday in Lokoja, saying the initiative by the federal government was meant to reduce the current hike in transportation fares in the country.

The minister said that the federal government had signed an agreement with two companies in the state to deliver on its mandate on the P-CNGi, CIP and business handover initiative.

Mr Audu explained that the CNG conversion was introduced to commercial vehicles free of charge, adding that more of it would arrive when Ajaokuta Steel Company became fully operational.

“The CNG initiative creates more job opportunities and ease the means of transportation across the country,” Mr Audu said.

Governor Ahmed Ododo said that the initiative was the federal government’s effort in collaboration with the state government to reduce the country’s dependence on petrol.

Mr Ododo said President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renew Hope Agenda’, remained on track and committed to reducing economic challenges by introducing CNG.

Michael Oluwagbemi, CEO of the Presidential CNG Initiative, noted that the federal government aims to reduce the current hardship to a minimum by introducing CNG.

He said that the CNG-powered commercial buses provided would ease transportation services for the citizens.

Mr Oluwagbemi reiterated the government’s commitment to affordable transportation and reducing costs by 40 per cent. He said the CNG initiative was a key driver for boosting the economy, adding that it would also significantly impact Nigeria’s energy landscape.

Mr Oluwagbemi said that Kogi would be among the 25 pioneer states in the federation to get 30 vehicles free of charge under the CNG initiative.

(NAN)