FG acquires 70 hybrid buses to improve Nigeria’s transportation sector

The Federal Government has received 70 hybrid Jet Mover buses from Jet Motor Company as part of efforts to improve Nigeria’s transportation sector.

In a statement on Monday, the Nigerian automobile manufacturer announced the delivery of the buses, which run on both compressed natural gas (CNG) and premium motor spirit (PMS). These buses are expected to offer Nigerians affordable and comfortable transportation options.

The handover ceremony took place at Jet Motor Company’s plant in Ajah, Lagos State, and was attended by officials from the Ministry of Finance and representatives from the Presidential Initiative for Compressed Natural Gas.

Dimas Hamidu, Technical Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, praised the quality of the vehicles and commended Jet Motor Company for their work. He highlighted that these hybrid vehicles reflect President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to mitigating the impact of the recent fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.

Hamidu stated that these buses will play a crucial role in addressing the population’s transportation needs and helping offset the rising economic costs.

“I’m pleased with what I’ve seen here. These vehicles will significantly ease the burden on people following the fuel subsidy removal,” Hamidu stated. “I visited earlier with the Minister of Finance, and we toured the plant. The Minister even took one of the vehicles for a drive and was thoroughly impressed.”

He further mentioned that the Federal Government had awarded contracts to various companies for the supply of CNG vehicles, addressing concerns from Nigerians about the visibility of these vehicles on the road. “This visit to the factories and facilities by the Ministry of Finance was to ensure timely delivery. We are pleased that Jet Motor has adhered to the contract terms, and the vehicles meet the specified requirements,” he added.

“We look forward to more deliveries soon, which will further alleviate the country’s transportation challenges,” Hamidu concluded.

Derek Ewelukwa, Managing Director of Jet Motor Company, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to a more efficient and comfortable transportation system for Nigerians. He explained that each hybrid vehicle is equipped with two CNG tanks, with a combined capacity of 220 liters of gas, allowing for a range of 300 kilometers, in addition to an 80-liter petrol tank. The CNG tanks have a lifespan of 15 years, and the engine seamlessly switches between gas and petrol.