The Federal Government has received 70 hybrid Jet Mover buses from Jet Motor Company, signaling a significant step forward in enhancing Nigeria’s transportation sector.
The Nigerian automobile manufacturer announced this development in a statement released to The PUNCH on Monday.
These state-of-the-art buses, which run on both compressed natural gas and premium motor spirit are poised to offer Nigerians a more affordable and comfortable transportation option.
The official handover took place at Jet Motor Company’s manufacturing plant in Ajah, Lagos State, and was graced by key officials from the Ministry of Finance and representatives of the Presidential Initiative for Compressed Natural Gas.
The Technical Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Dimas Hamidu, praised the vehicles for their quality and lauded the company for its excellent workmanship.
He emphasized that the introduction of these hybrid vehicles aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to mitigating the challenges that have arisen following the removal of fuel subsidies.
Hamidu stated, “I am happy with what I have seen here. This will go a long way in alleviating the pain and suffering of the people with the removal of fuel subsidy.” He also recounted how the Minister of Finance, who accompanied him on an earlier visit, was so impressed with the vehicles that he personally test-drove one.
Hamidu further disclosed that the Federal Government has contracted multiple companies to supply CNG vehicles in varying quantities.
He addressed public concerns over the perceived delay in seeing these vehicles on the road, explaining that the Ministry of Finance conducted tours of the manufacturing facilities to ensure timely delivery.
“We are impressed with Jet Motor for sticking to the terms of the contract, and the vehicles are in accordance with the specification,” Hamidu added.
He also expressed optimism that more vehicles would soon be delivered to help address the nation’s transportation challenges.
Jet Motor Company’s Managing Director, Derek Ewelukwa, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to improving Nigeria’s transport system.
He detailed the advanced features of the hybrid buses, noting that each vehicle is equipped with two CNG tanks with a combined capacity of 220 liters, enabling a range of 300 kilometers.
Additionally, the buses have an 80-liter petrol tank, allowing the engine to seamlessly switch between gas and petrol.
Ewelukwa assured that the CNG tanks have a lifespan of 15 years, underscoring the durability and efficiency of the buses.
This move by the Federal Government is seen as a strategic effort to alleviate the impact of rising transportation costs on the Nigerian economy while also promoting the use of cleaner energy alternatives in public transportation.
