Connect with us

NEWS

Tinubu Sets October 1 Deadline for Lower Transport Fares Nationwide

Published

on

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed state governments and stakeholders in the transport sector to intensify efforts to ensure lower transportation fares for Nigerians from October 1, 2026.

The President’s directive was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme.

Tinubu said he met with the governors of the 36 states on August 27, where they agreed on the objective of ensuring that more Nigerians begin to see measurable reductions in transportation costs from October 1.

SEE ALSO: ‘Calling Tinubu Bola, Giving Him Orders Is Insolence’ — Sunday Dare Blasts Atiku

Following the meeting, an implementation committee was established under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and chaired by Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The President said the committee, PI-CNG and EV, state governments and other stakeholders were already working to identify priority transport corridors, determine appropriate interventions and put the necessary arrangements in place.

He said the ongoing global energy crisis had made the initiative more urgent, adding that several states had already demonstrated how cheaper energy could translate into lower transportation costs.

In Borno, Tinubu said CNG-powered and electric public transport services were moving commuters for between ₦50 and ₦100 on routes where commercial operators charge between ₦300 and ₦600.

He said Kaduna’s 100 CNG-powered buses provided free transportation on major routes and carried about 3.2 million passengers in their first year, saving commuters more than ₦3.5 billion in transport costs.

According to the President, CNG buses deployed to Pacesetter Transport in Oyo State reduced the Lagos–Ibadan fare from about ₦8,000 to ₦3,200 during the initial deployment.

He added that alternative-energy transit services in Adamawa had cut fares by as much as 50 per cent, from ₦8,000 to ₦4,000.
In Enugu, Tinubu said the deployment of 100 CNG buses reduced the Enugu–Nsukka fare from ₦2,500 to ₦1,500.

He also disclosed that government-supported buses in Plateau transport about 13,000 commuters daily at ₦200, compared with more than ₦500 charged by commercial operators.

Through the Federal Government’s partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers, passengers using CNG-converted commercial vehicles on several Abuja routes are also benefiting from a 40 per cent fare reduction.

Tinubu cited the Area 1–Gwagwalada route, where fares have dropped from ₦1,500 to ₦900, while fares from Nyanya have fallen from ₦700 to ₦420 and Wuse from ₦400 to ₦240.

In Niger State, passengers on the Suleja–Abuja route now pay ₦550 compared with about ₦800, while Abia State has deployed 40 electric buses with fares subsidised by 50 per cent.

“These are not projections. Nigerians are already experiencing these savings,” Tinubu said.

The President said disruptions to global energy supplies were putting pressure on petrol and diesel prices and increasing transportation costs worldwide.

He noted that while Nigeria could not control developments in global energy markets, its natural gas resources could help reduce the country’s exposure to such shocks.

Tinubu said his administration had, over the past three years, invested in developing a CNG transportation ecosystem across the country.

According to him, more than 120,000 vehicles have been converted to CNG, while the country now has over 400 certified conversion centres and more than 90 CNG refuelling stations.

The President also rejected calls for a return to the petrol subsidy regime, saying the policy had consumed trillions of naira and left the economy exposed to movements in international oil prices.

He instead urged states to accelerate the adoption of cheaper energy alternatives.
Tinubu said Edo currently has 50 CNG buses in active service, while Kano has converted more than 1,000 commercial vehicles and is expanding its conversion and refuelling network.

He added that Delta, Kwara and Lagos were expanding CNG-supported transport services, while Akwa Ibom had taken delivery of 50 CNG buses ahead of commercial operations.

The President urged all states to maintain momentum towards October 1 by working with transport unions and commercial operators, supporting vehicle conversion and fleet deployment, and facilitating the infrastructure required.

“Above all, ensure that savings from cheaper energy reach Nigerian citizens through lower fares,” Tinubu said.

He assured that the Federal Government would continue to support the expansion of CNG infrastructure and conversion capacity while creating an enabling environment for states, transport operators, manufacturers and private investors.

“Nigeria has the gas. We are building the infrastructure. We are already seeing the savings,” Tinubu said.

“Now we must move faster and scale this so more Nigerians feel those savings in the fares they pay every day.”

NEWS

TCN Restores Power Supply to Katampe Substation After Shiroro Line Fault

Published

on

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has restored bulk power supply to its Katampe 330kV Transmission Substation in Abuja following an earlier disruption caused by a fault on the Shiroro–Katampe 330kV Line 1.

The development was disclosed in a statement released by TCN management on Friday, October 9, 2026.

SEE ALSO: Kainji–Birnin Kebbi Power Line: TCN Begins Final Phase of Restoration

According to the statement, bulk power supply was restored to the Katampe substation at 4:15 p.m. through the Gwagwalada–Katampe 330kV Line 1.

TCN explained that the Shiroro–Katampe 330kV Line 1 remains out of service due to a fault, necessitating the use of the Gwagwalada–Katampe line to restore supply to the substation.

The company also announced the suspension of planned maintenance work on the Gwagwalada–Katampe 330kV Line 1 to enable the line to continue supplying the Katampe substation.

The suspended maintenance work involved replacing defective line isolators and the associated earthing switch.

TCN apologised to electricity consumers in the affected areas for any inconvenience caused by the disruption and maintenance arrangements.

 

Continue Reading

NEWS

2027 Elections: FG Warns Politicians Against Promises on Fuel Subsidy

Published

on

The Federal Government has warned politicians against making promises that could reverse Nigeria’s economic reforms, insisting that it will not restore fuel subsidy amid renewed debate over the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPC) petrol discount.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, saying the government would not bring back subsidies on petroleum products.

“This government is not bringing back subsidy on fuel products. We need to be clear,” Oyedele said.

ALSO READ: NNPC Petrol Discount: Oyedele Explains How Lower Margins Could Boost Profits

The minister also criticised politicians who, according to him, make promises to win elections without fully considering the implications of implementing them.

He suggested that some politicians make sweeping promises during election campaigns only to offer excuses when confronted with the realities of governance.

“I think I would pardon people who say all manner of things because they want to get elected. It’s almost like ‘whatever I need to say, when I get there, I’ll give excuses.’ But we have the data,” he said.

Oyedele added that he felt a personal responsibility not to remain silent about the economic realities known to the government or allow populist positions to push Nigeria in the wrong direction.

“I feel the personal responsibility that I cannot see what I see and keep quiet, or populism to move our country in the wrong direction,” he said.

NNPC Petrol Discount Sparks Fresh Subsidy Debate

The minister’s remarks come amid renewed debate over fuel subsidy following the Federal Government’s announcement of a 30-day petrol discount at NNPC retail stations.

The initiative was introduced as a temporary measure to provide relief to Nigerians amid elevated global crude oil prices and concerns about the cost of petroleum products.

NNPC Retail had also announced a N66-per-litre petrol discount to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, with the offer scheduled to run until October 31, 2026, across its retail stations nationwide.

The company maintained that the discount was a customer-relief initiative and did not represent a return to the petroleum subsidy regime.

The distinction has become central to the debate, with the government insisting that temporary price relief at NNPC stations does not amount to restoring the subsidy policy abolished in May 2023.

The administration has maintained that the current arrangement differs from the former subsidy system, under which the government intervened to cover part of the cost of petrol.

FG Defends Economic Reforms

During the interview, Oyedele also referred to a World Bank update, saying the institution had acknowledged a reduction in poverty levels and increased spending on infrastructure, particularly roads.

He urged Nigerians not to reverse the progress he said had been made, arguing that the country was approaching a point where the benefits of ongoing reforms should begin to emerge.

 

 

 

Continue Reading

NEWS

Kaduna Moves to Clear 5-Year Promotion Backlog for 24,000 Teachers

Published

on

The Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has commenced a promotion exercise for 24,000 eligible staff as part of efforts to clear outstanding teachers’ promotions dating back to 2021.

The development was disclosed on Friday as the administration of Governor Uba Sani intensifies efforts to address promotion backlogs, recognise teachers’ years of service and improve staff welfare across the state.

The exercise covers outstanding promotions from 2021 to 2026 and is expected to provide eligible teachers and other staff with opportunities for career progression.

SEE ALSO: Kaduna Clears N18bn Pension Arrears, Raises Agric Funding to N100bn

According to the announcement, eligible personnel will undergo an assessment process, after which promotions will be implemented for those who successfully meet the requirements.

The initiative is part of efforts to strengthen the education sector by recognising the contributions of teachers and supporting their professional development.

The state government has emphasised the importance of investing in teachers, noting that a motivated and valued teaching workforce is essential to building a stronger education system.

The exercise is also expected to address long-standing staff concerns relating to career advancement within the state’s basic education sector.

 

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x