PENTALK360 
The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has announced plans to introduce 100 new 18-seater Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses as part of efforts to mitigate the socioeconomic challenges facing the state. This was revealed during a meeting with transport unions in Abeokuta, aimed at addressing the rising cost of transportation, which has impacted the affordability of essential goods for residents.
Governor Abiodun cautioned transport operators against exploiting the current economic situation by imposing excessive transport fares on the public. He emphasized that transport fare hikes should be proportionate to the increase in fuel prices, noting that previous increments have led to disproportionate fare increases.
“In the past, a 10% increase in fuel prices has often resulted in fare hikes of up to 2000%, and we want to avoid such situations now. The recent rise in fuel prices is about 25–30%, so transport fare increases should not exceed that range,” the governor stated.
As part of the measures, Abiodun disclosed that the state would make available 100 Toyota Hiace CNG buses to transport unions through a purchase agreement, allowing for payment in instalments. He also highlighted the Federal Government’s ongoing Energy Transition Program, which will deliver 20 CNG buses and 500 CNG conversion kits to Ogun State in the coming week. These initiatives aim to provide affordable transport solutions and support the conversion of vehicles to CNG, reducing reliance on petrol.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, urged transporters to consider the overall cost of operations and not overburden the public with excessive fares. Similarly, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, appealed to transporters to adopt a more considerate fare structure.
Prince Samsudeen Apelogun, the National President of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), commended the governor for his efforts in modernizing the transport sector and assured that the transport unions would work on implementing a more reasonable fare structure.
Governor Abiodun also used the occasion to call on teachers in the state to continue their contributions to the growth of education, as part of the administration’s broader efforts to improve living conditions in Ogun State.
