President Bola Tinubu has directed the 36 state governments to accelerate implementation of the National Affordable Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Transit Programme, with transportation fare reductions expected from October 1.

Tinubu said the directive followed his August 27 meeting with state governors, during which they agreed that Nigerians should begin to experience measurable reductions in transportation costs from October.

In a statement released on Saturday, the President said an implementation committee had been established under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to drive the programme, with Kwara State Governor and NGF Chairman, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, serving as chairman.

Tinubu said the expected savings were already being experienced in some parts of the country through existing CNG and electric public transport schemes.

He cited Borno State as an example, saying CNG and electric buses were charging between N50 and N100 on routes where commercial operators charged between N300 and N600.

The President said the examples demonstrated that lower energy costs could translate into reduced transportation fares when CNG-powered and electric vehicles were deployed at scale.

He directed the states to accelerate the programme and ensure that the benefits of cheaper energy reached commuters.

The National Affordable CNG Transit Programme forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to reduce transportation costs following the removal of the petrol subsidy and encourage the adoption of alternative energy sources.

Tinubu said the programme would require coordinated action between the Federal Government and state governments to expand access to CNG-powered public transportation.

The President added that the October 1 target was intended to ensure that the expected benefits of the initiative became more visible to Nigerians through lower transport costs.