A commissioner in Plateau State has clarified the circumstances surrounding the arrival of the recently acquired buses, which form part of the Metro Bus initiative introduced by Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
Recall that 15 new Metro Buses arrived in Plateau State on Sunday. This latest development follows the arrival of an initial batch of 13 Metro Buses in February 2024.
The Metro Bus initiative is a key component of Governor Mutfwang’s broader strategy aimed at easing economic hardship for citizens by improving access to affordable transportation and infrastructure. However, questions have been raised regarding how both batches of buses were acquired, with widespread speculation linking them to the Federal Government’s CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) bus program introduced to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
Opinions shared across various social media platforms suggest that the buses may have been donated by the Federal Government under the CNG scheme, with some alleging that the Plateau State Government merely repainted them or acquired them on credit.
In response to the speculation, Hon. Musa Ashoms—former Commissioner of Information and now the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development—clarified in an interview with our correspondent that the buses were procured solely through the initiative of Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
“This is the initiative of Governor Caleb Mutfwang through the instrumentality of the Plateau Express Service and the Ministry of Transportation,” Ashoms said. “These are not CNG buses. We brought them in to ease the transportation burden of our people. That is why we have brought these buses.”
He questioned the validity of claims linking the buses to a federal program, stating: “Do we have this Federal Government initiative in other states? Have you seen other governors receiving 15 buses? We’ve done a peer review of the buses already on ground. We visited Metro Bus stations and realized that more routes needed to be opened. That’s why, as a government, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, has purchased an additional 15 new buses.”
Ashoms dismissed criticisms as distractions from opposition voices, stating that the government remains focused on delivering results to the people.
“You know, naysayers—when you’re dancing in the rain, they’ll say you’re raising dust. This is not a time for opposition or politicking. It is time for governance. And Barrister Caleb Mutfwang came ready. If Plateau were a book, I’d say he’s read it cover to cover.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Plateau, stressing that effective transportation affects both public and private lives.
“One dividend of democracy that will affect everybody, regardless of their background, is the Metro Bus service. We are also looking at other sectors where Plateau people can benefit from His Excellency’s leadership under the ‘Time is Now’ movement.”
Ashoms concluded with a firm message to critics: “The land is truly green—not just as a phrase, but in action. It is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf. Plateau State has gotten it right. We are proud of the choices made by the Governor, and the people are happy.”
He added that while social media provides space for free expression, the truth will ultimately be judged by history.
“Facebook is a platform where you can sit in your room and post whatever you like, but posterity will judge whether you were right or wrong. People keep records in their mental cabinets. Tomorrow, you’ll be remembered as the one who called good bad, and white green. Your legacy is built by your daily actions—and in the end, people will judge you by them.”