Nigerians are still waiting for a nationwide reduction in transportation fares promised by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, as the expected impact of the initiative remains limited more than five days after the October 1 deadline.
Tinubu had, during a meeting with state governors on August 27, said Nigerians should begin to experience measurable reductions in transport costs from October 1.
He said the reduction would be driven by the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme under the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV).
The President also directed the establishment of an additional 500 CNG refuelling stations across the country as part of efforts to lower transportation costs.
However, transport fares remain high in many parts of Nigeria, with no significant nationwide reduction reported since the deadline.
When DAILY POST contacted presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare on Monday, he had not responded to inquiries as of the time of filing the report.
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress chieftain Atiku Abubakar had also questioned the Federal Government over the promised reduction in transportation fares.
Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of the Pi-CNG & EV initiative, Ismaeel Ahmed, said lower transport costs had already started on some routes.
Ahmed, speaking on September 30, said passengers using CNG-powered buses on certain routes could pay considerably less than those using conventional commercial vehicles. He cited the Gwagwalada-Abuja route, where he said fares could be about 40 per cent cheaper.
DAILY POST reports that despite the Federal Government’s ongoing CNG programme in various states, transportation costs remain elevated, with petrol selling for between ₦1,370 and ₦1,410 per litre in Abuja and surrounding areas.
Diesel prices, meanwhile, range from about ₦1,940 to ₦2,000 per litre, depending on the location.
Although petrol prices have declined by about ₦20 to ₦25 per litre, pump prices remain high amid crude oil prices of roughly $100 per barrel for Brent crude and $89 for West Texas Intermediate.
Reacting to the situation, Transparency International Nigeria Country Director Auwal Rafsanjani attributed the challenge to what he described as poor public accountability among Nigerian leaders.
Rafsanjani said public officials frequently make announcements and commitments without putting the necessary mechanisms in place to ensure implementation.
He argued that such a pattern could undermine public confidence in government, saying Nigerians may become increasingly sceptical when promises are not followed by visible results.
According to him, government should ensure that implementation plans are ready before making major public announcements, rather than raising expectations that may not be met.
