Victor Ezeja
As a way of supporting the Federal Government in surmounting the challenges posed by the removal of subsidy on petrol, the Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), has promised to Provide between 50 and 100 mass transit buses that use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as fuel.
This is to help in easing transportation challenge caused by hike in price of petrol as a result of the subsidy removal.
DAPPMAN chairperson, Winifred Akpani, made this known at the end of their meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday.
Ms Akpani said the buses, estimated to cost about ₦100 million each, would be manufactured locally.
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She promised that the mass transit programme kick off within the next 30 days.
The marketers while expressing their support for fuel subsidy removal, noted that what is needed now is addressing the real issues that led to the scheme and also providing palliative measures to cushion the effect on Nigerians.
“We pledge our support for President Tinubu in the bold decision of removing petrol subsidy. It is an idea that was long overdue.
“Removal of subsidy is not about making fuel costly and taking it out of the reach of Nigerians. It is about getting it right on the real issue of petroleum product subsidy.
“Who are those enjoying the subsidy? The subsidy ends up being enjoyed by those it was not meant for.
“We also spoke to the president about substitutes to petrol as well as creating an environment conducive for investments to thrive in the oil sector,” Akpani said.
Adopting CNG and converting vehicles to begin using it, was part of the measures raised during discussions between the Federal Government and organised labour.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has endorsed an alternative energy source to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.
