The Federal Government has introduced a transportation support initiative at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), to ease the burden of rising transport costs on students and staff.
Gatekeepers News reports that the programme, known as the Special Palliative Relief on University Transportation (SPROUT), is being implemented under the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PiCNG & EV) to provide affordable and accessible mobility on campus.
Speaking at the unveiling of the SPROUT awareness campaign at BUK on Thursday, Ismaeel Ahmed, executive chairman of PiCNG & EV, said the initiative would promote cleaner and more affordable transportation through the deployment of compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered buses.
Ahmed, who was represented by Louisa Afu, said the programme was scheduled to commence the following week and would be implemented in partnership with FEMADEC Energy and MD GIF.
He explained that the initiative would introduce affordable transport solutions through the establishment of CNG refuelling stations, vehicle conversion centres and the gradual deployment of buses and tricycles to participating institutions.
“The programme is designed to introduce affordable transportation solutions through the establishment of CNG refuelling stations, vehicle conversion centres, and the phased deployment of buses and tricycles to participating institutions,” he said.
“We are here today alongside our partners from FEMADEC Energy, and together, we have brought good tidings to Bayero University, Kano,” Ahmed added.
He recalled that the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles was established following President Bola Tinubu’s May 29 inaugural address and the subsequent removal of the petrol subsidy.
According to him, the initiative was mandated to promote clean energy and mobility solutions across the country while attracting investment into the sector.
“However, today, we are not just here to talk about clean mobility, but, most importantly, to bring affordable transportation closer to you,” Ahmed said.
He noted that transportation was essential to the daily activities of university students and staff, adding that high transport costs could negatively affect the entire university community.
“As you know, transportation is an important part of everyday life for students and staff of universities, and when the cost of transportation is high, it affects everyone,” he said.
Ahmed added that the success of SPROUT would be measured not only by the infrastructure provided but also by its impact on academic activities and the welfare of students and staff.
In his response, Mukhtar Ibrahim Bunza, dean of student affairs at BUK, commended the Federal Government for its CNG initiatives and efforts to reduce the burden of high transportation costs on the university community.
