The Federal Government has taken delivery of the first batch of locally assembled Compressed Natural Gas buses, marking the beginning of their deployment for airport shuttle services across Nigeria.
This disclosure was made in a statement on Tuesday.
The buses, produced by Lanre Shittu Motors, were received at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, by officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, led by its Managing Director, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku.
Speaking during the unveiling at the Lagos airport, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Management, Festus Keyamo, said the deployment was in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
He said it was part of Nigeria’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and meeting global climate targets.
“What you see here today is a fleet of CNG buses for FAAN to commence passenger movement at all our airports immediately,” the minister said.
He stated that the newly launched CNG-powered buses from Lanre Shittu Motors, introduced at the Lagos airport, are environmentally friendly with zero emissions and equipped with accessibility features for individuals with disabilities.
The deployment, he noted, aligns with the President’s vision of reducing dependence on traditional fossil fuels such as petrol and diesel, while promoting the adoption of CNG as a sustainable energy source for vehicles nationwide.
The shift to CNG-powered vehicles, he explained, is part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to mitigate the economic effects of fuel subsidy removal on citizens.
According to the Managing Director of Lanre Shittu Motors, Taiwo Shittu, the buses come in two variants: a 31-seater designed for airport shuttles and a 54-seater intended for mass transit in cities.
Both models are equipped with modern features, including air conditioning, viewing screens, and charging ports for added passenger convenience.