In continuation of efforts to provide affordable and comfortable transport solutions for Nigerians under the Presidential CNG Initiative, the federal government on Wednesday received over five dozen fleets of hybrid Jet Mover commercial buses from Jet Motor Company, an indigenous car manufacturing company, at a ceremony in Lagos. The federal government continues to advance its commitment to providing affordable and comfortable transport solutions for Nigerians through the Presidential CNG Initiative. On Wednesday, the government received fleets of hybrid Jet Mover commercial buses from Jet Motor Company, an indigenous car manufacturing company, at a ceremony in Lagos. These Jet Mover hybrid commercial buses are specifically designed to run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and were handed over to a team comprising of officials from the Ministry of Finance and representatives of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG) during a brief ceremony at the company’s car manufacturing plant in Ajah area of Lagos State.
At the event, Dimas Hamidu, the Technical Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, commended the high quality of the Jet Mover vehicles and praised the company for its dedication to exceptional quality and efficient delivery. Hamidu also noted that the swift introduction of the hybrid vehicles demonstrated President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to easing the potential hardships resulting from the removal of fuel subsidy whilst saying, the vehicles will go a long way in helping to solve the transportation needs of the citizens, and help to cushion the impact of rising costs in the economy.
He also noted that the federal government had awarded the contract of the CNG vehicles to different companies to deliver different number of units.
“Nigerians were becoming agitated, and asking why they are not seeing these vehicles on the road. This is why the ministry of finance decided to have a tour of the factories, and their facilities to see how soon they can deliver. We are impressed with Jet Motor for sticking to the terms of the contract, and the vehicles are in accordance with specification without any complaints”. He further added, “I am happy with what I’ve seen here. This will go a long way in alleviating the pains and sufferings of the people with the removal of fuel subsidy. I was here earlier with the Honorable minister of finance, and we were taken round the plant. The minister even drove one of the vehicles, and he was very impressed”
Hamidu, while noting that the ministry was aware of the challenges some suppliers were facing in delivering CNG vehicleso time including issues with SON (Standard organisation of Nigeria), and the Nigeria Customs Service. He assure that the Ministry was looking at resolving these issues and is currently liaising with thebeelevant agencies of government with a view to resolving pending issues
Also speaking at the event, Derek Ewelukwa, managing director of Jet Motor Company thanked the team for the opportunity to contribute in the delivery of an efficient and comfortable transport model to the citizens of the country.
He explained that each of the hybrid vehicles had two CNG tanks with a combined capacity of 220 liters of gas and capable of doing 300 kilometres, and a petrol tank with capacity for 80 litres.
According to him, the CNG tanks have a lifespan of 15 years, and the engine switches from gas to petrol and back seamlessly.
Other members of the team from the Finance ministry included, Balarabe Tukui, representing the director, Finance and Account; Okeke Osita Gabriel, also a Technical Assistant to the Minister of Finance and Mr Suleman, representing the Director, Legal Services, while Oluwole Akinwunmi represented the Pi-CNG.