ABU takes delivery of 10 CNG-powered tricycles to cushion effects of fuel subsidy removal
. . . Ahead of launch of Compressed Natural Gas Refueling Station, Vehicle Conversion Centre by President on May 29 Ahmadu Bello University has taken delivery of 10 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tricycles under the Special Palliative Relief on University Transportation Project to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on campus.
Also under the programme, the University will receive five CNG buses which are expected to be received by the institution before the week runs out. The vehicles will reduce both intra and inter campus transportation costs by half.
Speaking at a sensitization workshop and awareness programme held at Mamman Kontagora Square, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria today (Thursday, 22nd May, 2025), the Project Manager, Femadec Limited, a firm handling the project, Mr. David Ovoke Obire, said university staff would enjoy 70 percent discount on car conversion.
Giving an overview of CNG adoption in Nigeria and introducing Project CNG-SPROUT (Special Palliative Relief on University Transportation), Obire also said students would have the opportunity to acquire practical skills that would enhance their employability.
Obire disclosed that the project would formally be launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 29th May, 2025.
The sensitization programme was organized by the company in collaboration with the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PI-CNG) and Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF).
The event, which attracted staff and students, addressed misconceptions and safety concerns about CNG vehicles.
In his opening remarks, the Dean, Student Affairs Division, Prof. Sahalu B. Junaidu, stressed the importance of the Federal Government initiative.
Prof. Junaidu described the project as one of the strategic palliative measures introduced by the present civilian administration to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
The initiative, according to him, would not only allow staff to convert their vehicles to run on CNG at a highly subsidized rate but would also provide employment opportunities for students who would be trained on vehicle conversion techniques.
Equally, student leaders expressed appreciation for the intervention.
President of the Students Representatives Council (SRC), Ibrahim Kalla Nazeer, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the forward-thinking project and assured of the University’s full support.
Postgraduate Representatives Council (PRC) President, Kusogi Abdullahi, expressed satisfaction with the project and pledged to give their support for its success.
In her closing remarks, the Director, Counselling and Human Development Centre, Ahmadu Bello University, Dr. S.M. Makarfi, expressed gratitude to PI-CNG, MDGIF, and the Federal Government for selecting ABU as one of the 20 universities nationwide to benefit from the programme.
The sensitization programme was concluded with a roadshow that commenced at Mamman Kontagora Square and toured the campus, generating further excitement and visibility for the CNG initiative.
Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
(IDV)
Thursday, 22nd May, 2025
