Page 13 - Nigeriaone mag 2 edition en

Gas-powered buses now circulating in Abuja

Natural gas bus, illustrative image

Nigeria is Africa's largest produ- gasoline vehicles to gas. This policy Addressing the issue of road trans-
cer and exporter of crude oil is intended to ensure that the port in Nigeria has a special di-
and intends to position itself as country's gas reserves are used to mension, both practically and sym-
an energy leader in the coming the fullest. This fossil fuel, which is bolically. A common feature of the
transition. The country has available in limited quantities and, country is its sprawling megalopo-
lis, where traffic is intense and
by definition, non-renewable on a
launched an ambitious policy human time scale, appears to be users often have to wait for hours
called "Vision 30:30:30" which less polluting than many fuels used to travel short distances in their
aims to provide Nigeria with 30 in Africa. While gas emits CO2 means of transport. Large-scale de-
GW of installed capacity by during combustion, it emits 30% ployment of clean buses across the
2030, 30% of which will be rene- less than oil and half as much as country would help relieve traffic
wable. coal, which is less harmful to the congestion and reduce carbon
A small revolution is currently environment. It is therefore a truly emissions. Fola Akinnola, Fomac's
taking place in the capital, whe- transitional energy. Thus, the lau- managing director in charge of the
re gas-powered buses have been nch of this new service will have a project, did not hide his pride and
positive impact on the environ-
future ambitions: "Our plan this
running since May 5, 2022. The ment, as well as on the users' fi- year is to reach 100 buses". Cities
initiative is in line with a federal nancial wellbeing, since it offers a such as Lagos and Maiduguri have
government policy called the more convenient and accessible expressed an interest.
"National Gas Expansion Pro- transport model than traditional
gram", which aims to convert buses.

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