RismadarVoice Reporters
July 1, 2026
The Akwa Ibom State Government has presented the first batch of 20 newly acquired Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to members of the media, describing the project as a major step towards establishing a modern, affordable and environmentally sustainable public transportation system across the state.
The inspection, held at Government House, Uyo, was led by the Commissioner for Information, Dr Aniekan Umanah, alongside the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Anthony Luke, and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerete Udoh.
The media delegation was headed by the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Nsibiet John, and included journalists, civil society representatives and other government officials.
Speaking during the tour, Umanah said the exercise was organised in response to requests by the NUJ to inspect the buses following their arrival from Turkey and to clarify public concerns surrounding the project.
He explained that the CNG buses form a key component of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda and are intended to provide safe, affordable, efficient and environmentally friendly transportation services across the state’s 31 local government areas.
According to the commissioner, the state government approved the procurement of 50 brand-new factory-built CNG buses, with the first batch of 20 already delivered, while the remaining units are expected to arrive between July and August.
He disclosed that the initiative extends beyond the acquisition of buses to include the construction of a central transport terminal in Uyo, bus terminals in all 31 local government areas, maintenance workshops, driver training facilities, bus sheds, car wash stations and CNG refuelling stations to support a comprehensive mass transit system.
Responding to claims that the buses were refurbished, Umanah insisted that the vehicles were manufactured specifically for Akwa Ibom State at the Isuzu production facility in Turkey.
He said the government possesses complete documentation of the manufacturing process and factory inspections, adding that journalists were invited to independently verify the authenticity of the buses.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Anthony Luke, described the project as a landmark investment that places Akwa Ibom among the leading states adopting clean energy-powered public transportation.
Luke said he personally visited the Isuzu manufacturing plant in Turkey, where he witnessed the production and inspection of the buses, stressing that the vehicles were newly built specifically for the state.
Providing technical details, the Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Dias Project Limited, Alexandro Selefteriadis, explained that the buses are original factory-built CNG vehicles powered by Cummins natural gas engines rather than diesel buses converted to run on compressed natural gas.
He noted that the fleet ranks among the most advanced in Africa and disclosed that the planned transport network would connect all 31 local government areas through designated routes linking major commercial centres, including Uyo, Abak and Oron, as well as the Victor Attah International Airport.
Selefteriadis added that the transport terminals under construction would serve as operational hubs equipped with passenger facilities, maintenance centres, driver training schools and CNG refuelling stations.
On behalf of the media delegation, NUJ Chairman Nsibiet John commended Governor Umo Eno for investing in modern public transportation and opening the project to public scrutiny.
He described the media inspection as a demonstration of transparency and accountability, assuring the government of the union’s continued support in promoting accurate and balanced reporting of its programmes.
Following the briefing, journalists inspected the buses, interacted with government officials and project consultants, and participated in a demonstration ride to assess the comfort, safety features and technical specifications of the new fleet.
The state government said the arrival of the first batch of buses, alongside ongoing construction of supporting infrastructure, marks another milestone in its efforts to build a modern transportation network capable of improving mobility, stimulating economic activities, creating jobs and enhancing the quality of life for residents across Akwa Ibom State.
