KEY POINTS
- Akwa Ibom shifts its CNG bus terminal from Itu to Uyo to ensure easier access for residents.
- The facility will include a gas station, training school, and maintenance workshop to build local expertise.
- Governor Umo Eno urges host communities to safeguard the project and support its construction.
The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced the relocation of its Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, bus terminal from Odiok Itam in Itu Local Government Area to Obio Offot and Ikot Akpe communities in Uyo Local Government Area.
Governor Pastor Umo Eno, who led an inspection of the new site, said the decision followed a series of consultations and technical reviews aimed at improving accessibility and service delivery.
He explained that moving the project to Uyo was necessary to ensure that the CNG terminal — a major part of the state’s transition to cleaner and cheaper transport energy — remains within easier reach of commuters and transport operators.
“We had to think about what works best for our people,” Eno said. “The new site offers better access, infrastructure, and opportunities for both transport users and the surrounding communities.”
Facility to Include Gas Station, Training School, and Workshop
The governor revealed that the terminal would not only serve as a fueling point for CNG-powered buses but also house a gas station, a training school, a repair workshop, and a CNG technology and maintenance unit.
These facilities, he said, would help train local engineers and technicians, creating a new stream of skilled jobs tied to the state’s green transport agenda.
Eno commended the host communities for their cooperation, describing their partnership as vital to the success of the project.
He urged youths in Obio Offot and Ikot Akpe to take part in the ongoing construction and to protect the infrastructure from vandalism once operational.
The governor’s push aligns with the Federal Government’s Presidential CNG Initiative launched in 2023, aimed at reducing the nation’s dependence on petrol and diesel. The initiative seeks to lower transportation costs, promote environmental sustainability, and open new employment pathways in the energy and transport sectors.
To complement the federal effort, the Akwa Ibom government — through its Ministry of Transportation and in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria — ordered 50 CNG buses to boost the state’s public transport system.
Governor Eno said the state remains committed to ensuring that residents fully benefit from the initiative, describing the CNG transition as “a forward-looking investment in both people and progress.”
