The Ekiti State Government has commenced the deployment of 15 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses as part of measures to reduce transportation costs and provide more affordable public transport for residents.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji announced the initiative on Thursday during the official flag-off of the buses at the premises of the Ekiti State Transportation Agency in Ado-Ekiti.

The deployment coincided with Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary and the 30th anniversary of Ekiti State, with the governor saying the initiative was aimed at easing the economic burden on residents.

Oyebanji said the 15 buses, donated to the state by the Federal Government, represented the pilot phase of the programme, adding that the state would expand the fleet to reach more residents.

He said reducing transportation costs was necessary because transport expenses contributed significantly to the financial pressure experienced by citizens.

The governor urged transport unions to ensure that the benefits of the CNG buses were directly transferred to commuters through lower fares.

He said the initiative was expected to reduce transportation costs by 50 per cent, in line with the Federal Government’s directive to state governors to implement measures to ease the cost of transportation.

Oyebanji also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the state with the buses, saying the intervention would help the government translate its development plans into programmes that directly benefit residents.

The Director-General of the Ekiti State Transportation Agency, Tajudeen Akingbolu, said routes had already been mapped out for the buses.

He said the buses would operate on routes connecting Ado-Ekiti with Lagos, Ibadan, Onitsha and Abuja.

Akingbolu said the initiative would provide residents with more affordable and reliable interstate transportation while reducing the impact of high fares on commuters.

The state government said it would continue to explore measures to reduce transportation costs and improve access to affordable public transport across Ekiti.