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From John Adams, Minna
The over 200 compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles launched almost two years ago in Niger State that are being left to waste have since become a comfortable abode for different species of reptiles.
The buses, unveiled to the excited public in 2024 by Governor Umaru Bago, with the aim of cushioning the biting impacts of fuel subsidy removal, were to be allocated to major towns to ease the burden of transportation on the people.
Bago said during the inauguration that the state was being used as a pilot scheme by the Federal Government for the operations of CNG buses, adding that the buses were acquired through a loan facilitated by the same Federal Government.
Some of the buses, according to him, would also be deployed to schools to ease the students’ burden of transportation, while all the 25 local governments in the state would equally be allocated some buses.
However, after the fanfare and ovation that graced the unveiling, the buses have remained static and demobilised at the state trade fair complex, Minna, since their arrival.
Daily Sun’s investigation confirmed that the buses have morphed to homes for reptiles and a hideouts for criminals and unscrupulous elements.
But that is not all. It was further confirmed that some of the very important parts of these buses were being stolen by the day as they were simply left unguarded or accounted for by any proper security arrangement or personnel.
Although the Trade Fair Complex, where they are parked is also a host to a police outpost, the police insisted that they were not officially assigned to provide security for the vehicles.
The Trade Fair Complex is also used by the state’s traffic officers for the custody of seized motorcycles, a situation being exploited by stealing the parts of the buses.
Although some of the traffic officers were arrested by the police for questioning, they have since been released while investigation by the police is said to be continuing.
Daily Sun’s reporter, who visited the complex where the buses were parked, observed that weeds and grasses have overtaken the buses while virtually all the tyres have been deflated. It was also observed most of the windows had been blown off, leaving the rain to cause additional damage to the interior of the vehicles.
Also observed was the fact that the entire batteries of the buses in their hundreds have been stolen, along with other sensitive parts like headlights, bulbs, rear lights and side mirrors.
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Although the Niger State police public relations officer, Wasiu Abiodun, could not be reached for his comment, permanent secretary, Ministry for Transport, Lucky Barau, confirmed the vandalism of the buses, but claimed that only a few batteries were stolen.
He, however, said the police were investigating the circumstances surrounding the vandalism of the buses, adding that the outcome of the investigation would be made public and those responsible would be brought to book.
He confirmed that some arrests have been made in connection with the vandalized buses, adding that the matter was with the police, who were yet to make their investigation public.
The permanent secretary also disclosed that. after the incident of the vandalism, security has been fortified around the vehicles, stressing that, very soon, the buses would be put to use for the purpose they were purchased.
He said the delay in the use of the buses was due to some challenges, notable among them was the lack of gas stations: “That is being taken care of at the moment. I can assure you that they will soon be on the roads.
“Already, some of the vehicles are plying some routes in Suleja Local Government due to its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. They are being operated under a lease agreement for proper management.”
A staff of the Ministry of Transport, however, faulted the permanent secretary, insisting that there was nothing on the ground to suggest that the buses would soon hit the roads.
Speaking anonymously, he questioned: “Where are the gas stations that will power the buses? Some of the buses came with a number of electrical faults and nobody has fixed these problems. So it is not surprising to see those buses abandoned there.”
He added that now that the buses are being vandalized, it makes matters worse: “The level of decay in the buses is so enormous because they have been parked in the ground for too long. This is in addition to the vandalism that has taken place.”
A private legal practitioner, Mohammed Saidu, lamented that it was sad to see taxpayers’ money being wasted by the government: “This goes to tell you that government in this country has never meant well for the people. If not, how can vehicles meant to reduce the suffering of the people be allowed to rot away like this?
“These are the reasons why Nigerians don’t believe in the government. The welfare of the people is not and has never been their priority. Since two years after the fuel subsidy removal, there has been no deliberate step towards helping the people to cope with the situation.
“The unfortunate thing is that the government will still pay back the loan it used in acquiring these buses. It is disheartening the way government operates in this part of the world.”
