- Senate Gas Committee urges the government to present a 2023 supplemental budget for the CNG project, emphasizing the need for approval
- They support President Tinubu’s CNG initiative to enhance public transportation and prefer a supplemental budget over extra-budgetary spending
The Senate Committee on Gas has urged the executive branch of government to present a supplemental budget to the National Assembly in 2023 to kickstart his Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) project.
The panel, which praised President Tinubu for the CNG initiative, cautioned against excessive spending.
Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, chairman of the committee, stated that spending taxpayers’ money on any project would be illegal without National Assembly approval.
He also emphasized the importance of the President presenting a supplemental budget to allow the government to fund the gas value chain, including CNG infrastructure and CNG vehicles.
Jarigbe stated that the National Assembly was ready to support Tinubu’s administration’s lofty programs, adding that a 2023 supplementary budget would be preferable to extra-budgetary spending.
Following eliminating fuel subsidies, the Tinubu administration intends to introduce CNG-powered vehicles to improve public transportation.
In his Independence Day speech, the President stated, “We have opened a new chapter in public transportation through the deployment of cheaper, safer CNG buses across the nation.” These buses will operate at a fraction of current fuel prices, lowering transportation costs.
“New CNG conversions kits will start coming in very soon as all hands are on deck to fast track the usually lengthy procurement process.”
He also stated that his administration was establishing training facilities and workshops nationwide to train and provide new opportunities for transportation operators and entrepreneurs.