The Federal Government, yesterday, presented over 20 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses to the management of Pacesetter Transport Service in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The federal and Oyo State governments said the use of CNG is cheaper, cleaner, healthier and more reliable, urging Nigerians to key into the initiative. The Project Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, Michael Oluwagbemi, who made the presentation, yesterday, said that the initiative aimed to foster a sustainable partnership towards improving the standard of living for Nigerians.

He, however, expressed his delight to set the pace for CNG platform programme, adding that their visit to Oyo State is to fulfill the promise President Bola Tinubu made during his campaign. He said that the deployment of CNG-powered buses in the country was to address issues affecting Nigerians, particularly on petrol importation, among others.

Oluwagbemi, who urged the Pacesetter management to efficiently manage the project to enable to them to repay and acquire more vehicles in the future, said: “Ibadan for generation has always been attractive since it was founded and it’s a place where commerce thrives and a state of secret billionaires.

“This is to show and demonstrate that Oyo State is indeed Asiwaju and a place to first launch the CNG initiative. “President Tinubu is asking us to use our gas to thrive transportation, industries, produce more foods and fertilisers, as well as other things that will make life easier for the people.

“We are beginning to do the right thing but this requires us to taste some pains. We can’t go back to subsidise our own impoverishment. As a team, we are determined to show our commitment.

“We are here to present 20 buses as sustainable partnership with Pacesetter Transport Service (PTS) to generate income because they are assets. So, we need more of PTS Sole Administrators so that we can run more sustainable mass transit. We can effectively ensure that the future of Oyo State is brighter as well as Nigeria.”

Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Environment, Ademole Aderinto, said: “This is a cheaper form of energy. CNG is the way to go. With CNG, our emission will drop massively and live a healthier life. There are a lot of benefits on the use of CNG. It will save our environment.”

Also, Chairman of the Pacesetter Transport Service lauded the initiative, describing it as a strategic solution to numerous challenges facing the country.