Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has commended the Federal Government’s energy transition strategy following the delivery of 20 gas-powered buses and 20 tricycles under the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI).

Speaking at the handover ceremony in Ilorin on Tuesday, the Governor highlighted the initiative as a significant measure to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal and enhance mass transit in the state. AbdulRazaq expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the PCNGI leadership for their collaborative efforts.

“This partnership underscores our commitment to easing the transportation burden on Kwarans and fostering sustainable solutions in the face of economic challenges,” he said.

The event also featured the unveiling of plans by an Indian firm to establish a CNG-vehicle manufacturing plant in Kwara, marking another milestone in the state's transition to greener transportation alternatives.

The ceremony was graced by prominent personalities, including: Deputy Governor, Kayode Alabi; Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Yakubu Salihu Danladi; Chief Judge, Justice Abiodun Adebara Grand Kadi, Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen, APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi; Executive Vice Chairman of PCNG, Mr. Toyin Zubair; CEO of B One Mobility Limited, Mr. Atul Saraf; Representatives of transport workers

This development marks another step in Kwara’s efforts to promote environmentally friendly mass transit while addressing the needs of its citizens.

“As our country navigates the gradual shift to cleaner energy in the wake of fuel subsidy removal, we are today taking delivery of 20 gas-powered buses and 20 tricycles from the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI),” he said.

“This is another strategic partnership between our government, private sector players, and the Federal Government to bring ease to our people.

“These 18-seater shuttle buses and tricycles will be deployed to support the public transport system at a discounted cost to the people."

The Governor said the government is also partnering with B-One Mobility Limited, which is setting up an assembly plant for gas-powered tricycles in the state.

The partnership offers huge socioeconomic benefits for the people of the state in the area of job creation, poverty reduction, and affordable and clean transport system, the Governor added.

Zubair, for his part, said Kwara is one of the states that have keyed into the CNG initiative and assured the state of the federal government's strong partnership, especially with huge investment in the establishment of more conversion centres.

He said the target of the federal government was to convert about 1 million vehicles from petrol to CNG and appreciated Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for being one of the pillars behind the transformative agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Saraf said the programme will create 5,000 direct and 9,500 indirect employment opportunities, adding “our vision extends far beyond job creation. We are introducing a holistic mobility ecosystem solution that includes utility vehicles, garbage tippers, ambulances, and fire fighting equipment- CNG tractors".

He commended the President’s vision and unwavering belief in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) technology, saying “his forward-thinking approach has created the enabling environment for such transformative investments".