RismadarVoice Reporters
July 1, 2026
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Mr Nsibiet John, has commended Governor Umo Eno for opening up the state’s newly acquired Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to public scrutiny, describing the gesture as a demonstration of transparency, accountability and responsible governance.
John made the commendation on Tuesday after leading members of the NUJ State Executive Council and other journalists on an inspection tour of the first batch of 20 CNG buses at Government House, Uyo.
The tour, facilitated by the Akwa Ibom State Government, was led by the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, alongside the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Anthony Luke, and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ekerete Udoh.
Speaking on behalf of the media delegation, the NUJ Chairman said the inspection provided journalists with the opportunity to verify the authenticity of the buses and obtain firsthand information on the project amid public interest and varying narratives.
He praised Governor Eno for investing in a modern transportation system, noting that the introduction of the state-owned CNG buses would improve affordable, safe and environmentally friendly transportation for residents.
John further lauded the Governor for granting journalists unrestricted access to inspect the buses, saying the move reinforces public confidence in government projects.
He assured the Governor that the media would continue to discharge its responsibility professionally by providing balanced, factual and accurate reports on government programmes and policies for the benefit of the public.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, explained that the inspection followed a request by the NUJ leadership after the arrival of the buses from Turkey.
He disclosed that Governor Umo Eno approved the procurement of 50 brand-new factory-built CNG buses, with the first batch of 20 already delivered, while the remaining buses are expected between July and August 2026.
Umanah dismissed claims that the buses were refurbished, insisting they were manufactured specifically for Akwa Ibom State at the Isuzu production facility in Turkey, with full documentation of the production process.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Anthony Luke, described the project as a landmark initiative that would position Akwa Ibom as a leader in clean energy-driven public transportation in Nigeria.
The Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Dias Project Limited, Mr Alexandro Selefteriadis, explained that the buses are original factory-built CNG vehicles powered by Cummins CNG engines and not diesel buses converted to gas.
He said the integrated transport system would connect all 31 local government areas through strategically planned routes, supported by modern terminals, maintenance workshops, driver training facilities and CNG refuelling stations.
Following the briefing, the journalists inspected the buses and embarked on a demonstration ride to experience their comfort, safety features and overall quality.
The visit allowed members of the media to verify the originality of the buses and gain deeper insight into the procurement process, technical specifications and implementation strategy of the state’s CNG mass transit programme.
