Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has highlighted the progress of his administration’s efforts to transition the state’s public transportation system to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles. This initiative, aimed at reducing fuel costs and supporting environmental sustainability, has been actively pursued over the past eight months.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke emphasized that the project is part of a larger plan to modernize transportation in the state. He revealed that the initiative began in January 2024, focusing on converting the state-owned Imole buses to run on CNG, which is a cheaper and cleaner fuel alternative compared to conventional petrol or diesel.
Governor Adeleke also confirmed that the state is collaborating with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the CNG conversion. According to the governor, three companies, including a local CNG provider, are currently engaged in negotiations with the state under a public-private partnership (PPP) framework. These discussions have made significant progress toward advancing the project.
“As a part of the initiative, the state’s Imole buses, which are currently providing palliative transport services, will soon be converted to CNG models.
“Additionally, Osun State is set to benefit from a federal initiative aimed at promoting the nationwide adoption of CNG as an alternative fuel source.
“To support this transition, plans are underway to establish dedicated CNG charging points across the state. The government is also exploring partnerships for the acquisition of CNG-powered buses through public-private partnership (PPP) agreements.
“This expansion is expected to enhance the existing transport palliative system, which has been providing essential services to residents of Osun,” he stated.
