In a bid to bolster Nigeria’s green transportation agenda, Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), and Olawale Edun, the Minister of Finance, recently visited the JET Motors Company‘s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus assembly plant in Lagos. This visit shows the government’s commitment to the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi), which aims to promote the adoption of eco-friendly vehicles across the country.
JET Motors Company, a key player in the PCNGi, is tasked with assembling CNG-powered buses, which are not only environmentally friendly but also cost-effective. During the tour, Chidi Ajaere, the Chairman and founder of JET Motors, guided the dignitaries through the assembly plant, showcasing the innovative processes involved in producing these sustainable vehicles.
Minister Edun, after personally testing and test-driving the CNG buses, expressed his satisfaction with the progress made by JET Motors. He remarked, “I have come to see the CNG buses that Nigerians are asking about. I have seen them. I have tested them and driven them. I have seen them being assembled. The benefits will soon be available to Nigerians.”
One of the key advantages highlighted by the minister is the cost savings associated with CNG buses. He noted that while it costs approximately N55,000 to fill a 15-20 seater bus with petrol, filling a CNG bus of the same capacity would only require between N12,000 to N15,000. This significant reduction in fuel costs is expected to not only lower transportation expenses but also contribute to reducing inflation rates.
In addition to their economic benefits, CNG-powered vehicles are also praised for their environmental friendliness. JET Motors is currently assembling Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) components of CNG and electric buses and tricycles. These vehicles, once fully operational, are poised to revolutionize Nigeria’s public transportation sector by offering affordable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly options for commuters.
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