Connect with us

Auto

Nigeria Starts Pilot Phase of CNG Mass Transit Conversion Programme

Published

on

CNG Bus Scheme

By Adedapo Adesanya

In collaboration with Rolling Energy, the Presidential Compress Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) has announced the commencement of the nationwide Mass Transit Conversion Programme.

The announcement was made at the PCNGI launch of the conversion and refuelling site in Ilorin, Kwara State on Wednesday.

According to a statement by the PCNGI, it said the initiative aims to convert mass transit vehicles to cleaner energy sources, significantly reducing emissions and promoting environmental sustainability.

The PCNGI is the programme of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, dedicated to promoting clean energy solutions across Nigeria. Through strategic partnerships and innovative projects, PCNGI aims to reduce environmental impact and support the transition to sustainable energy for the transport sector.

The initial phase of the conversion program will be initiated in Lagos, Kwara, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Rivers States.

This phase will be executed in partnership with major transport unions, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).

To ensure the success of the programme, PCNGI said the rollout will commence in eight of over 120 designated conversion workshop sites, after which the key union partners, will have the opportunity to observe, evaluate the conversion process, and provide valuable feedback as the initiative plans to scale up operations across 15 states over the next 45 days.

The rollout, it said, will be backed by a 50 per cent discount on equipment and kit costs, and support to qualified union members for installation cost.

It said, “PCNGI and Rolling Energy are committed to driving Nigeria towards a more sustainable future. Establishing the Ilorin site and the nationwide conversion program are pivotal steps in reducing our carbon footprint and enhancing the efficiency of mass transit systems”.

Interested public members are to visit Femadec, FixIt45, and Portland in Lagos, NITT, Nipco in Abuja, Total Support and Femadec in Abuja, and Rolling Energy in Ilorin for conversion.

The development comes after the Presidency said it would launch 2,700 CNG-powered buses and tricycles before May 29 when President Tinubu turns one year in office.

It said FG would deliver 100 conversion workshops and 60 refuelling sites spread across 18 states before the end of 2024.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Auto

InDrive Fetes Abuja Drivers in Ramadan Shukran Campaign

Published

on

inDrive Ramadan Shukran Campaign

InDrive, a leading global ride-hailing platform operating in nine African countries, is celebrating Ramadan season with a targeted driver appreciation programme in Abuja, tagged’Ramadan Shukran campaign’, with active Muslim drivers on the platform to receive curated food hampers and personalised thank-you cards.

The initiative, designed to strengthen the company’s relationship with its driver community at a time when many are working long hours while observing the fast, is not based on financial incentives or performance-based rewards but on practical support for the month and a direct expression of appreciation for the role drivers play in the platform’s daily operations.

Four Abuja-based Muslim content creators who understand the social and religious considerations of the period have been delivering 200 hampers across key districts in the city. The hampers, which contain everyday Ramadan essentials to support suhoor and iftar, including staple foods and beverages commonly consumed during the fasting period, come in warm-toned Ramadan packaging and include a handwritten-style card from Indrive with the message “Shukran,” which means thank you.

Each creator is assigned a specific coverage area to ensure broad reach and local relevance, with deliveries taking place around prayer times and fasting schedules, which are captured with the participating drivers’ consent.  The campaign, serving as a broader positioning goal to publicly recognise drivers through creator-led storytelling, will further reinforce inDrive’s people-first identity and increase awareness among drivers who are not currently on the platform.

The campaign reflects inDrive’s deliberate shift toward relationship-building through culturally relevant engagement during one of the most significant periods in the Muslim calendar.

Continue Reading

Auto

Glovo Unveils New Road Safety Feature for Safety of Nigerian Riders

Published

on

Glovo in Nigeria

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

To enhance the safety of riders in Nigeria, a leading multicategory technology company, Glovo, has launched a new road safety feature on its mobile application.

The initiative was introduced in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). It was designed to address key challenges in Nigeria’s fast-growing e-commerce and mobility ecosystem by implementing data-driven preventive measures to enhance road safety.

Also, Glovo has concluded plans with the FRSC to organise a road safety training. This has already been done in Lagos, with the training coming to Abuja on Friday, strengthening rider protection and road safety standards across Nigeria.

The Interim General Manager for Glovo Nigeria, Ms Reni Onafeko, said the new feature reflects the company’s long-term investment in safety, innovation, and responsible business growth in Nigeria.

Ms Onafeko explained that the feature combines advanced technology with structured training to ensure safer roads for riders and the broader public, highlighting the feature’s voluntary opt-in nature, explaining that riders can use it to improve their safety.

“The launch of this new feature reflects our commitment to building a culture of prevention rather than reaction. By equipping riders with real-time data about their riding behaviour, we are empowering them to make safer decisions every day. This initiative is about protection, education, and continuous improvement.

“Our approach combines innovation, partnership, and human-centred design. We are not just introducing a feature; we are reinforcing our responsibility to protect the people who power our platform every day.

“By working closely with regulators and organising safety training for riders, we are contributing to safer roads and a more sustainable ecosystem in Nigeria,” she stated.

In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation Education and Innovation, Mr Oluwatobi Idowu, noted that the training was a good initiative by Glovo Nigeria, urging riders to take advantage of the unique opportunity to familiarise themselves with the necessary safety rules while driving.

On his part, the Assistant Corps Commander for the Lagos Sector Command of the FRSC, Mr Philip Ogah, who represented the Lagos State Sector Commander, Mr Kehinde G. Hamzat, commended Glovo Nigeria for facilitating a refresher course for riders.

He noted that the training was necessary to help riders be really conscious about their safety, stating that it was better for them to be equipped with such interactive safety tools.

“There are levels of preparation before driving on the road. As a rider, learning is key and a continuous process. This kind of training makes you more informed as you drive.

“As a technological platform, it is good to see that Glovo keeps on ensuring that riders are trained to have a better usage of and better behaviour on Nigerian roads,” the FRSC chief in Lagos stated.

Also speaking, the Head of Operations at Glovo Nigeria, Oluwaseun Okugboye-Bello, explained that the introduction of the safety feature on the Glovo app has become an essential new addition for riders’ self-improvement while collaborating with the platform, noting that it was incorporated into the app to protect riders, commuters, and pedestrians.

At the end of the training session, certificates were presented to 70 participants.

Continue Reading

Auto

LAMATA to Boost Red Line Rail Capacity With 24 New Coaches

Published

on

lamata

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has announced plans to deploy 24 new coaches to boost the capacity of the Red Line rail by the third quarter of 2026.

In a Wednesday statement signed by its Head of Corporate Communications, LAMATA said it acknowledged recent reports and social media footage highlighting passenger discomfort on the Oyingbo-Agbado train service due to technical issues affecting the air conditioning system.

It noted that the plan to provide the 24 new coaches forms part of its long-term strategy to enhance capacity, comfort and service reliability.

“We sincerely apologise to our valued commuters for the heat and inconvenience experienced during their journey.

“As part of our long-term strategy to enhance capacity, comfort, and service reliability, LAMATA is pleased to announce the expected delivery and operationalisation of additional rolling stock by the third quarter of 2026.

“The new acquisition will comprise three train sets, each with eight coaches, bringing a total of 24 additional coaches to strengthen the existing fleet and improve passenger experience across the Red Line corridor,” the organisation stated.

The statement further revealed that the agency has deployed a technical team to diagnose and resolve the cooling system’s failure to return affected coaches to optimal operating conditions.

“In the immediate term, our technical and engineering teams have been deployed to diagnose and resolve the root cause of the cooling system failure. Restoration works are ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to return the affected coaches to optimal operating condition as swiftly as possible.

“LAMATA remains firmly committed to delivering safe, efficient, and world-class rail services. We continue to take proactive measures to minimise technical disruptions and improve overall service quality.

“We appreciate the patience, understanding, and continued support of the public as we complete these essential repairs. The comfort, safety, and well-being of all passengers remain central to our operations,” the statement concluded.

Continue Reading

Trending