Tinubu Government Under Scrutiny for Purchasing ‘Used’ Mass Transit Buses Despite N100 Billion Allocation

Sahara Reporters has uncovered that the President Bola Tinubu-led government has opted for “used” high capacity buses for mass transit, despite a hefty N100 billion budget allocated for transportation solutions. The buses were seen at the Federal Secretariat car park in Abuja, where a team of panel beaters, technicians, and painters worked diligently to address the evident wear and tear.

The decision to acquire these vehicles comes in the wake of fuel subsidy removal, with the government aiming to mitigate transportation challenges faced by Nigerians. Notably, the buses, belonging to the Federal Ministry of Transport, are part of a palliative program intended to reduce transportation costs.

Investigation revealed that these buses, although promised as part of an agreement with organized labour, exhibited worn-out seats, smashed windshields, and aged tires. The refurbishment process involved panel beaters rectifying body damages and painters restoring the buses’ appearance, with traces of oil seen dripping from some engines.

Contrary to these findings, Mr. Olujimi, the Press Officer for the Ministry of Transport, denied the ownership of these vehicles when approached for confirmation. In a text message response, he stated, “They are not, to my knowledge. Thanks for asking.”

The 33-passenger capacity buses are part of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered fleet, a commitment arising from the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with organized labor on October 15, 2023. The government asserted that these CNG-powered mass transit buses would significantly reduce transportation costs and promote CNG as a petrol alternative.

However, concerns have arisen among Nigerians regarding the safety of these refurbished vehicles, especially given the challenging state of the country’s roads. Many criticize the government for jeopardizing citizens’ safety by opting for “used” buses instead of fulfilling its agreement with organized labor.

Recalling the backdrop of the fuel subsidy removal, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had initially announced an indefinite strike on October 3 but later suspended it on October 2. As part of the agreement, the government committed N100 billion for high capacity CNG buses, along with plans for 55,000 CNG conversion kits and state-of-the-art CNG stations nationwide.

While the government aims to kick-start the auto gas conversion program with pilots across 10 campuses nationwide by November, the contentious decision to procure ‘used’ buses continues to spark debates over the prioritization of citizens’ safety in the transportation sector.