POLITICS TODAY

Kaduna erupted in celebration on Monday as Governor Uba Sani flagged off the operation of 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses recently commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The buses, which are part of a groundbreaking mass transit initiative, will offer free rides to civil servants, students, and retirees for the next six months, bringing immense relief to thousands grappling with transport challenges.

The CNG buses, known for their fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness, mark a major milestone in Kaduna State’s efforts to modernize public transportation while cushioning the economic pressures on low and middle-income groups.

“This is not just about transportation; it’s about dignity, inclusion, and reducing hardship,” Governor Uba Sani said at the launch, emphasizing the administration’s focus on people-centered policies.

Under the new scheme, commuters will enjoy free services for half a year, after which fares will be heavily subsidized—with a 60% discount on transport costs, making it the most affordable state-run transit system in Northern Nigeria.

The move has drawn widespread praise, with excited students, civil servants, and pensioners hailing the Governor’s leadership and foresight. “This is the best thing that has happened to us since the fuel subsidy removal,” said Halima Abubakar, a secondary school teacher who was among the first to board the CNG buses Monday morning.

Kaduna’s new transport model is also being seen as a national benchmark for green mobility, thanks to its reliance on CNG—a cleaner alternative to petrol and diesel. The initiative supports President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and signals Kaduna’s rising status as a reform-driven state.

With cheers echoing at bus stops across the city, it was clear that Kaduna residents were not just boarding buses—they were boarding into a new era of responsive governance.