FG Set to launch Over 2,700 Gas powered Tricycles, buses before May 29

The Presidency has announced that it is ready to launch approximately 2,700 CNG-powered buses and tricycles before May 29, which marks one year since President Bola Tinubu took office. The Federal Government plans to deliver 100 conversion workshops and 60 refuelling sites across 18 states by the end of 2024. In collaboration with the private sector, the Presidential CNG Initiative is set to deliver these assets and sites.

From the end of May, Nigeria will take a step forward to join the nations that already have large fleets of CNG vehicles. About 2,500 tricycles will be ready before May 29, 2024, with 200 units being delivered before the first anniversary of the Tinubu administration. The Presidency plans to produce over 600 buses in the first phase, which will be accomplished by 2024.

In October 2023, President Tinubu launched the Presidential CNG Initiative to deliver cheaper, safer and more climate-friendly energy. The CNG Initiative aims to deliver compressed natural gas for mass transit. The Federal Government earmarked N100bn to purchase 5,500 CNG vehicles (buses and tricycles), 100 electric buses and over 20,000 CNG conversion kits, with plans to develop CNG refilling stations and electric charging stations nationwide.

Part of Sunday’s announcement was the creation of a new plant on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that will assemble tricycles, while Brilliant EV will assemble electric vehicles when it receives the semi-knocked components. The SKD parts, manufactured by the Chinese company LUOJIA in partnership with its local partner to support the consortium of local suppliers of CNG tricycles, are set for shipment to Nigeria and expected to arrive early in May.

JET, Mikano, Mojo, and Brilliant EV are involved in the assembly of the semi-knocked-down components of the CNG buses. JET, which has received the SKD parts, is coupling the buses in Lagos and is working towards delivering 200 units before the first anniversary of the Tinubu administration.

All is now set for the delivery of the first set of critical assets for deployment and launch of the CNG initiative ahead of the first anniversary of the Tinubu administration on May 29. The committee driving the initiative is set to deliver on President Tinubu’s vision and promise.