In a move set to ease the burden of rising transportation costs, the Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), Michael Oluwagbemi, has announced a 40 per cent reduction in transport fares for commuters using CNG-powered taxis at Area One Motor Park, Garki, Abuja.
This significant fare cut follows the successful conversion of over 50 per cent of the vehicles at the park to run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
Oluwagbemi, represented by the Regional CNG Coordinator (North), Mr David Idako, disclosed this during a press briefing on Friday. He said the initiative is aimed at cushioning the impact of fuel subsidy removal and promoting CNG as a cleaner, cost-effective alternative to petrol.
“We have worked hand-in-hand with the National Union of Road Transport Workers… it is for them to reduce the prices for the general public so that the effect of the fuel subsidy… will be reduced on Nigerians,” Idako stated.
Transport Fare Reductions Across Abuja Routes
According to Idako, new transport fares from Area One are as follows:
- Area One to Gwagwalada: ₦900 (previously ₦1,500)
- Area One to Bwari Dutse: ₦900 (was ₦1,500)
- Area One to Kuje: ₦720 (was ₦1,200)
- Area One to Galadimawa: ₦300 (was ₦500)
- Area One to Mpape: ₦600 (was ₦1,000)
- Area One to Zuba: ₦900 (was ₦1,500)
- Area One to Lugbe: ₦420 (was ₦700)
- Area One to Jabi: ₦420 (was ₦720)
- Area One to Wuse: ₦240 (was ₦420)
- Area One to Nyanya: ₦420 (was ₦700)
- Area One to Kabusa: ₦480 (was ₦800)
- Area One to Apo: ₦300 (was ₦500)
CNG Task Force to Monitor Compliance
To ensure compliance with the new price regime, a joint task force comprising PCNGI and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has been deployed.
“We have a task force in place to enforce the price reduction,” Idako confirmed. “CNG stickers and price lists are clearly displayed on vehicles for transparency.”
Passengers are encouraged to report any non-compliant drivers to the task force for appropriate sanctions.
Union Fully Backs the Initiative
Also speaking, Ibrahim Jibril, Secretary of the Garki Branch of the NURTW, affirmed the union’s full support for the CNG fare reduction program.
“We are in support of the 40 per cent reduction… you are saving almost 75 per cent by using gas instead of petrol,” he said.
He praised President Bola Tinubu for launching initiatives that reduce the economic strain on Nigerians and pledged the union’s continued cooperation.
CNG Availability Expanding Nationwide
Tosin Coker, the Commercial Coordinator of PCNGI, assured commuters that the government is actively expanding CNG infrastructure, noting that:
“We are working hard to make gas available across the country. Ten CNG stations are already operational in Abuja, and at least two more will come online within the coming month.”
The PCNGI team also revealed that similar fare reduction efforts will roll out in Area 3 Park and other major transport hubs in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and across the country in phases.
