President Bola Tinubu has expressed concern that the benefits of the Federal Government’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative are yet to reach ordinary commuters at the desired pace, saying much of the gains are currently accruing to truck owners.

Tinubu spoke at the Presidential Villa in Abuja while receiving the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), led by its president, Comrade Salimon Akanni Oladiti.

The President described NUPENG as a critical partner in his administration’s economic programme, acknowledging the union’s strategic role in the nation’s economy.

“You occupy a very critical nerve of the economy of this country,” he said.

Tinubu recalled his decision to remove fuel subsidy despite threats of industrial action by oil and gas workers, saying the policy had enabled the government to redirect resources to workers’ salaries and infrastructure development.

According to him, the impact of the reform is evident in the prompt payment of salaries by federal, state and local governments, as well as funding for major infrastructure projects.

“I will soon publish how it is being utilized,” he said.

The President cited the Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna and Abuja-Kano roads, alongside the Sokoto-Badagry highway and other federal road projects, as examples of infrastructure being supported by savings from the reforms.

On CNG, Tinubu urged NUPENG to help ensure that cheaper fuel reaches ordinary Nigerians.

“Whatever benefit is coming from CNG is going into the pockets of truck owners. It’s not spreading as fast as I would like, but it should spread,” he said.

The President also said efforts to revive Nigeria’s refineries were continuing, stressing that physical signs of activity alone would not amount to a successful operation.

“Ordinary flame and smoke from a refinery doesn’t mean that it’s working until it’s profitable and yields the value for which it was built,” he said.

Tinubu said he had accepted responsibility for addressing challenges inherited from previous administrations, pledging to pursue policies that would serve the broader interests of Nigerians.

“No matter what happened in the past years, it’s my responsibility now as President to fix it and make it work for the greatest common good of our population. I take responsibility for that, and I’m going to do it.”

He expressed confidence that continued perseverance and determination would eventually bring relief to Nigerians.

“I promise you, you will enjoy a better Nigeria.”