Governors of the 36 states of the federation have backed a new state-led initiative to reduce transportation fares through the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), saying cheaper transport costs could trigger a wider reduction in the prices of food and other essential goods in the country.
The governors made their position known in a communique issued at the end of their meeting in Abuja on Wednesday night, where they deliberated on major economic and governance issues affecting the country.
Douye Diri, Bayelsa State governor, who read the communique, said the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) received a presentation on the proposed National Affordable CNG Transit Programme (NACTP), designed to translate the lower operating cost of CNG into cheaper fares for commuters.
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Kwara State governor and Chairman of the Forum, signed the communique.
The governors’ position came against the backdrop of the continuing impact of petrol subsidy removal, which has significantly altered transportation costs and household spending since the reform was introduced by the federal government in 2023.
