The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has called for the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses at Nigerian airports as part of efforts to align airport transportation with the Federal Government’s gas utilisation policy.
Keyamo made the call when he received the founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Group and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, during a meeting.
The minister said he appreciated Chukwuma for his contributions and support to Nigerian airports through the provision of Innoson buses over the years.
He also pledged the continued support of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development for the Innoson brand.
According to Keyamo, discussions during the meeting focused on the possibility of supplying CNG-powered buses to airports, describing it as the next step in line with the government’s policy of encouraging greater reliance on gas.
“Earlier today, I played host to Chief Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma, the founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Group and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, makers of INNOSON vehicles,” Keyamo said in a statement.
He added that he had thanked the Innoson chairman for “all his sacrifices and invaluable support” to most Nigerian airports through the provision of Innoson buses.
The minister also raised concerns about the design of airport shuttle buses, particularly the number of seats installed in them.
He said passengers often experience difficulties moving their luggage into buses when too many seats are provided, urging the manufacturer to consider reducing the number of seats in subsequent models supplied to airports.
“I also requested that the next set of airport buses should not have so many seats as passengers find it difficult to haul their luggage into buses at the airports with so many seats installed in them,” he said.
The proposed shift to CNG-powered airport buses is expected to complement the Federal Government’s broader policy direction on the use of gas as an alternative fuel source, while the proposed modification of bus interiors is aimed at making airport ground transportation more convenient for passengers carrying luggage.
