Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, yesterday, promised that fuelling stations for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) would be positioned along bus routes statewide.
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Abiodun, who gave the promise during an interview with newsmen at the Arcade Ground of the Governor’s Office shortly after inspecting the first successfully-converted diesel/petrol buses to CNG, said the positioning of the CNG fuelling stations along bus routes would ensure sustainability and smooth running of the project.

The governor added that the abundance of gas in the state is a major factor that would aid the successful transition.

He said his administration would look at how to convert close to 2,000 buses at the expense of the state government.

“Obviously as we proceed, we will be positioning our fuelling centres on the bus routes so that the buses can refill from time to time.

“Luckily for us in Ogun State, we have an abundance of gas. Ogun State has a crisscross of pipelines. That explains why we have a proliferation of industries in the state.

“So, today, this bus has been successfully converted, and the conversion of other buses is also in progress. The plan is to first convert the state-owned buses and then begin the conversion of all mass transit buses owned by the private sector.

“We will be converting the buses at our expense. So, the state has decided to take on that cost and find a way to amortise the expense over so many years,” he said.
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Abiodun also emphasised that his administration would in the next three weeks launch its e-mobility programme, which is aimed at swapping all petrol-dependent motorcycles and tricycles with electricity-powered ones that would be powered by rechargeable batteries.

He said old buses operating in the state would gradually be faced out as they get older.
Earlier in his remarks, Head of Nigeria Gas Transportation Solution Limited, Milind Dakhole, said the buses were fitted with tanks that would allow them travel about 150 kilometres, adding that the buses are safe for usage.

In another development, Abiodun has assured the people of Owode and its environs that the Siun-Owode Road, currently under construction, would be completed in the next two months.

Abiodun, who stated this while fielding questions from newsmen after inspecting the road, described it as not only critical to the economy of the local council but that of the state as a whole.

He said he was impressed with the level of work done so far by the contractor, adding that though the topography of the area has added some challenges to the project, the drainage system, which is about 500 metres long, has almost been completed.

Also speaking, the Olu of Owode, Oba Kolawole Sowemimo, lauded the governor for listening to the cry of his people who have been complaining about the deplorable condition of the road.
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