The Federal Government has introduced a transport relief programme aimed at reducing transportation costs for university students through the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles.
The Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), Ismaeel Ahmed, announced the initiative on Thursday during an awareness campaign at Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
Ahmed, who was represented by the initiative’s Manager of Investor Relations, Louisa Afu, said the programme, known as CNG Special Palliative Relief on University Transportation (CNG-SPROUT), would provide affordable and environmentally friendly transport services.
He said the initiative was designed to make transportation more accessible to students and university staff amid rising transport costs.
According to Ahmed, the programme is being implemented through a partnership involving FEMADEC Energy, MDGIF and Pi-CNG & EV.
The project will involve establishing CNG refuelling stations and vehicle conversion centres, alongside the gradual deployment of CNG-powered buses and tricycles to participating universities.
Ahmed added that the initiative would also introduce CNG conversion training into university curricula to equip students with relevant technical skills.
He said the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s drive to promote cleaner and more affordable transportation across the country.
Earlier, BUK Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Mukhtar Ibrahim-Bunza, commended the Federal Government for introducing the initiative.
He said the programme would provide relief to students by reducing their transportation expenses and assured that the university would make proper use of the facilities provided.
