Atiku Abubakar Critiques FG's CNG Vehicle Conversion Efforts

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, criticized the Federal Government's Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion program, stating that the conversion of approximately 120,000 vehicles over more than three years is insufficient to alleviate Nigeria's transportation and cost-of-living crises. In a statement released on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku noted that this figure constitutes less than one percent of the estimated 14 million vehicles on Nigerian roads.

He described the low conversion rate as indicative of a failed initiative, especially following the removal of the petrol subsidy. Atiku's remarks followed President Bola Tinubu's announcement regarding plans to reduce public transport fares, linking this to lower operating costs from CNG-powered and electric vehicles.

However, Atiku criticized the timing of the announcement, asserting that the government has not provided adequate relief since the subsidy removal in May 2023, leading to increased transport and food costs.