The Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has unveiled 3,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tricycles, valued at N10.2 billion, to mitigate the soaring costs of transportation in the state. This development comes as part of a broader effort to provide more affordable transport options to residents while easing the financial strain caused by rising fuel prices.
The initiative was officially announced during a ceremony held on Wednesday, where Alhaji Azeez Abiola, Zonal Chairman of the Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria, a subsidiary of the NURTW, shared the vision behind this significant project.
Alhaji Abiola highlighted the financial relief that the CNG tricycles will bring to operators, noting that the switch to natural gas could reduce daily fuel costs from N15,000 to between N2,500 and N3,000. He expressed optimism that this cost reduction would ultimately benefit both operators and passengers.
“Over 3,000 CNG tricycles have been introduced to Lagos to alleviate transportation expenses for residents while addressing the economic hardship that many currently face,” Abiola said. “These tricycles are set to begin operations this Thursday, marking the first of its kind in commercial tricycles powered by CNG in the country.”
The new CNG powered tricycles are expected to not only reduce operating costs but also lower the overall cost of living for Lagosians. Abiola emphasised that the initiative aims to make intra-city transportation more affordable, with a ripple effect on daily living expenses.
“By significantly cutting fuel costs, we can pass on the savings to the passengers,” he said. “This will lead to a measurable reduction in transportation fares across the state.”
The initiative is also expected to create over 5,000 jobs, particularly benefiting technicians and operators involved in the conversion and maintenance of CNG-powered vehicles. Abiola expressed his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for supporting the initiative, which aligns with the federal government’s broader goal of promoting the use of cleaner and more affordable energy sources.
While commending the NURTW leadership for spearheading the project, Abiola called for more CNG refuelling stations in strategic locations. Currently, Lagos has only one refuelling station in Agidingbi, Ikeja, which is far from many key operating areas such as Alagbado, Agbado-Okeodo, Ifako Ijaiye, Agege, and Alimosho. Abiola urged the government to establish additional stations to support the widespread use of these tricycles and ensure seamless operations along key routes.
The unveiling of the CNG tricycles dovetails with the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), which aims to reduce the economic burden of fuel costs while promoting cleaner energy in Nigeria’s transportation sector. The PCNGI’s Conversion Incentive Programme offers free CNG conversions for commercial vehicles registered under NURTW, RTEAN, and other state-owned fleets. For non-commercial vehicles, conversion costs range from N1 million to N1.7 million, depending on factors such as vehicle type, engine capacity, and cylinder size.
The initial concerns about the safety of CNG-powered vehicles were raised, experts at PCNGI approved conversion centres in Lagos, such as Autogig International Resources Ltd and MBH Power Limited, have assured the public that CNG conversions are safe. CNG systems are equipped with reinforced cylinders and essential safety features, including pressure release valves and automatic shut-off sensors, to prevent leaks and other irregularities.
Despite the high compression level of CNG at 2,900 psi (200 bar), experts confirm that excess pressure is safely released during refuelling to prevent explosions. Additionally, converted vehicles can switch between CNG and conventional fuels like petrol or diesel, using two modalities in the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). In time-based mode, the switch occurs 60 seconds after starting the engine, while in temperature-based mode, it switches automatically when the engine reaches a temperature between 20°C and 40°C.
The launch of 3,000 CNG tricycles in Lagos is a significant step towards addressing rising transportation costs and promoting sustainable, cost-effective fuel alternatives. As the first of its kind in Nigeria, the initiative not only brings economic benefits to tricycle operators but also aligns with the national agenda of transitioning towards cleaner energy in the transport sector. The success of this project will depend on the expansion of supporting infrastructure, including more refuelling stations, to ensure that the full potential of CNG powered transportation is realised across Lagos State.