In a bid to facilitate convenient staff commuting and official engagements, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources has inaugurated two state-of-the-art 32-seater Coaster buses. The commissioning event took place in Abuja on Monday, August 14th, 2023.
Ambassador Gabriel T. Aduda, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, expressed that the present administration, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, holds a steadfast commitment to staff welfare. He highlighted the emphasis placed on staff well-being within the context of the ongoing Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP), a significant initiative supported by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. Aduda conveyed his gratitude for her exemplary human-centric leadership.
Aduda underscored the government’s dedication to alleviating the challenges faced by workers, particularly in the aftermath of subsidy removal. He revealed that the Ministry received assistance in 2022 from the President, enabling the acquisition of the new buses.
Furthermore, the Permanent Secretary disclosed plans to convert the buses from gasoline engines to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), aligning with the Federal Government’s energy transition commitment. Aduda encouraged other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to adopt the CNG initiative due to its economic advantages.
The commissioning ceremony was conducted by the Permanent Secretary, representing the Federal Government, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Mrs. Folashade Yemi-Esan, and the Management of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
Emphasizing the importance of maintaining the buses, Aduda handed over the keys to the Union Executives of the Ministry, urging them to ensure proper upkeep for extended service life.
Mrs. Patricia Umo, the Director of General Services, highlighted that the buses serve as welfare provisions aimed at motivating employees to deliver effective service.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry’s staff, Engr. Dipo Agboola, a union representative, conveyed gratitude to the Permanent Secretary and his Management Team for their forward-thinking initiative. Agboola announced plans to convert the buses to CNG within the next seven days, demonstrating the workforce’s appreciation and dedication to their responsibilities.
The ceremony culminated in the Union Executives presenting the bus keys to the designated drivers.
Signed:
Chris Ugwuegbulam
Assistant Director (Information)
