The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) has signed an agreement with the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Taxi Operators to convert 800 taxis to CNG fuel.
According to PCNGI, this conversion will reduce airport taxi fares by approximately 30 percent.
At the signing, PCNGI’s Programme Director and Chief Executive, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, represented by Programme Execution Coordinator Mr. Folarin Oworo, affirmed the government’s commitment to providing Nigerians with a cost-effective, eco-friendly fuel option.
“The airport taxi operators have around 800 vehicles, and once we reach 50 percent conversion—about 400 vehicles—a 30 percent fare discount will be implemented immediately,” he said. He noted that this discount will vary based on travel distances, with a fare card detailing prices and discounts provided in each vehicle. Regular monitoring will ensure compliance with the new rates.
Engr. Oluwagbemi also addressed CNG safety concerns, assuring that explosions can only result from unauthorised conversions using locally manufactured cylinders. “CNG cylinders are virtually bulletproof and certified by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON),” he said, stressing that tampering would be the only cause for an explosion.
He added that PCNGI uses 65 and 75-litre cylinders to reduce refilling time and plans to introduce more cylinder varieties to accommodate different vehicle types and loads.
Airport Taxi Operators’ spokesman, Mr. Aliyu Abdulaziz Aliyu, expressed gratitude to PCNGI, stating that the free conversion will significantly lower airport taxi fares.