Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, on Thursday, rolled out 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, saying that the new transport system will create no fewer than 20,000 jobs and boost the economy of the state and country.

Mr Mbah revealed this in Enugu while inaugurating the New Enugu Transport Management System, five modern bus terminals at Holy Ghost, Gariki, Abakpa and Nsukka, as well as the CNG buses.

He said that the projects inaugurated would spur the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Enugu State and the country to grow to $30 billion and $1 trillion, respectively, within the next six years.

According to him, the projects delivered are part of the promise made to the people to ensure world-class infrastructure, which will not only uplift the economy but also dignify their living standards.

The governor said that the projects would provide the people with cheaper, accessible and seamless movement, as other infrastructure meant to support the projects and the new system are already in place.

“I must commend President Bola Tinubu, whose vision and wisdom to remove fuel subsidy have led to all the projects and change to a new transport system that is based on 21st-century infrastructure and service for our people.

“I will also appreciate the state’s commissioner for transport for all efforts to make these projects a reality, as well as the contractors and other people who ensured their timely delivery.

“It is a reality that transport remains the central pillar of modernisation and a measure of the people’s progress; thus, touching every aspect of human life and the way the people think as well,” he said.

He noted that the state would roll out 2,000 hybrid vehicles to support the air-conditioned and disability-friendly CNG buses.

The governor said that the CNG buses would shuttle routes leading to schools and higher institutions.

“The CNG will ensure over 40 per cent reduction in household expenses on transport and will also convey residents to markets and major places along the schools/institutions routes.

“We are remodelling all bus stops within Enugu metropolis, building and rebuilding most roads within the metropolis and other major cities in the state.

“We also placed a modern transport e-ticketing process that checks leakages and manipulations.

“A few weeks ago, we launched Enugu Air; plans have reached an advanced stage on putting rail services and waterways transport, while all these projects have the safety and dignity of our people as their priority,” he said.

Earlier, the commissioner for transport, Obi Ozor, said that the terminals inaugurated would serve over 10 million commuters each year while providing a place of comfort after long journeys or interval breaks from long journeys.

Mr Ozor explained that each of the terminals has a fully air-conditioned hall, television screens, eateries, lodging accommodation, fuel station, sunscreen-covered walkways, solar-powered security lights/systems and surveillance cameras.

“These projects are a clear vision of His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, to make Enugu State a model and point of reference in any modern infrastructure. We thank Your Excellency for insisting on quality and taste,” he said.

In a welcome address, the chairman of Enugu North Council Area, Ibenaku Onoh, thanked the governor for bringing order, aesthetics, employment and one-stop transport comfort with two terminals built in the Holy Ghost axis of Enugu.

“We quite appreciate all developmental efforts, which include: terminals, smart schools, smart type-2 primary healthcare centres, surveillance cameras and provision of security, among others,” Mr Onoh said.

(NAN)