•Governor Umo Eno sits inside one of the CNG buses
HENSHAW NYONG, Uyo reporting
The first batch of 20 out of the 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses procured by the Akwa Ibom State government were manufactured as dedicated CNG vehicles directly from the production line at the Isuzu manufacturing facility in Turkey and not converted from diesel-powered buses, the Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Dias Project Limited, Mr. Alexandro Selefteriadis, disclosed yesterday.
Speaking during an inspection of the newly delivered buses by members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, at Government House, Uyo, Selefteriadis said the buses were purpose-designed for CNG operations and fitted with factory-installed Cummins CNG engines, placing them in a different technical category from converted buses commonly found in parts of West Africa.
The internationally experienced transport infrastructure expert explained that every major component of the Akwa Ibom fleet, from the engine configuration to the fuel system and safety architecture, was integrated during manufacturing at the factory, making the buses more efficient, durable and better suited for long-term public transportation than vehicles later modified to run on gas.
“The buses delivered to Akwa Ibom are original factory-built CNG buses powered by Cummins CNG engines. They are not diesel buses converted to run on gas. They were specifically designed and manufactured from the factory for compressed natural gas operations,” Selefteriadis said, adding that the fleet is one of the most modern public transport investments currently available within the sub-region.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, Ph.D, said Governor Umo Eno approved the procurement of 50 brand-new factory-built CNG buses as part of his administration’s commitment to building a safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable transportation system under the ARISE Agenda. He disclosed that while the first 20 buses have arrived in the state, the remaining units will be delivered in phases through July and August.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Anthony Luke, recalled personally visiting the Isuzu manufacturing plant in Turkey where he witnessed the production and quality inspection of the buses. According to him, production commenced after the completion of the manufacturer’s existing production schedule, describing the buses now delivered to Akwa Ibom as exactly the same vehicles inspected on the factory floor before shipment.
Luke said the investment reflects Governor Eno’s determination to position Akwa Ibom among the leading states embracing clean-energy transportation, stressing that the mass transit initiative is designed to improve mobility, reduce transportation costs and provide residents with services that meet international standards.
The inspection, which followed a request by the NUJ leadership for firsthand information on the project, enabled journalists to physically examine the buses, interact with government officials and project consultants, and undertake a demonstration ride to appreciate the comfort, safety features and technical specifications of the new fleet before they are deployed for public service.
Meanwhile, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ekerete Udoh, explained that the CNG buses are part of a broader integrated transportation programme being implemented by the Governor Umo Eno administration, with construction of a state-of-the-art Central Bus Terminal currently ongoing at the Obio Offot/Ikot Akpe axis of Uyo.
Designed as the operational hub of the new mass transit system, the facility, according to Udoh, will house passenger terminals, a modern CNG refuelling station, maintenance and diagnostic workshops, a drivers training academy, administrative offices, car wash facilities, parking bays, security posts and other support infrastructure.
