Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State and chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), has urged transport operators to reduce fares following lower operating costs from the use of compressed natural gas (CNG).
Uzodimma made the call after briefing President Bola Tinubu on developments in the country at the President’s Lagos residence.
He said the savings from CNG-powered buses should be reflected in the fares paid by commuters.
“The transporters and commuters should also be responsible in ensuring that since the cost of transportation has been reduced by the introduction of CNG, that they should now also reduce the fare they charge passengers. That way, it becomes a win-win situation,” he said.
Governors Focus on Impact of Reforms
Uzodimma said the governors were now focused on ensuring that Nigerians feel the benefits of the Federal Government’s economic reforms rather than merely explaining the policies.
“The reform policy has moved from implementation to ensuring that the people of Nigeria get the dividends of the reform policy itself,” he said.
The PGF chairman said the governors had taken their cue from Tinubu’s recent national broadcast and would work to make the reforms more impactful for Nigerians.
He added that the governors would intensify their campaign to Nigerians on the administration’s policies and achievements following Tinubu’s return from his working leave.
Uzodimma described his meeting with the President as “a quality conversation”, saying he briefed Tinubu on developments across the country and the efforts of the governors while he was away.
Uzodimma Says Imo Finances Have Improved
The Imo governor also said the Federal Government’s reforms had improved the state’s finances.
Uzodimma recalled that when he assumed office in 2021, Imo struggled to have enough funds to run the government after paying workers’ salaries.
“In 2021, I became the Governor without President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his reform policies. It was difficult at the end of every month after paying salaries. That is, if we managed to pay salaries, to have money to run the state,” he said.
He added: “Today, we pay salaries as we do and we have money to do all the achievements that we have recorded in the state.”
The governor said the governors had been charged with ensuring that Nigerians feel the impact of the reforms through tangible benefits.
