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Tag: CNG-powered tricycles

  • NURTW deploys more CNG-powered tricycles to Ifako-Ijaiye LG

    NURTW deploys more CNG-powered tricycles to Ifako-Ijaiye LG

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has deployed more Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered tricycles to Ifako-Ijaiye community in Lagos State to reduce transportation costs.

    The unveiling of the CNG-powered  tricycles took place at Fagba Motor Park on Tuesday.

    Alhaji Azeez Istijabah, Zonal Chairman, Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria (TOOAN), under NURTW, said the deployment was part of the gradual process to circulate the tricycles across the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NURTW recently deployed 3,000 CNG commercial tricycles to Alimosho Local Government Area.

    According to him, the new development has brought tremendous reduction in transportation costs at various CNG tricycle operation parks in the state.

    “With this introduction of CNG commercial tricycles in some of our parks, it has brought reduction to the present high cost of transportation in Alagbado, Abule, Command and Ayobo areas of the state.

    “That is why we are appealing to our members to embrace the new tricycles for efficiency and to save cost of operations.

    “It will just cost N2,000 to 2,800 for a daily operational cost to fill the gas compared with N13,000 to N15,000 petrol daily operational cost.

    “We are working on it to circulate the tricycles across the state for the benefit of the masses,” Istijabah said.

    He added that efforts were in place to sensitise the operators on usage of  CNG tricycles.

    Istijabah said that hundreds of members within the union zone would benefit from the initiative to ensure operational relief and cut cost of transportation in the community.

    “We are working tirelessly with the support of President Bola Tinubu, who initiated CNG usage and our state NURTW Chairman, Alhaji Mustapha Sego, on their efforts in relieving the masses from transportation stress in the state.

    “At the same time, we are appealing to both federal and the state government to create more CNG filling depot for easy access to operators,” he said.

    According to him, tricycles are prohibited to operate in the Agidingbi area of the state, where the CNG refilling station is situated.

    “So, that is why we are calling on government to find a lasting solution to this situation, for the benefits of the masses,” he said.

    Read Also: Fed Govt to give 2,000 CNG-powered tricycles to youths

    Mr Raimi Oseni, Deputy Zonal Chairman, TOOAN of NURTW Zone C, also told NAN that the new development would improve transport business and encourage operators.

    Oseni added that the new and cheaper CNG initiatives by the federal government would bring succour to transporters and commuters.

    He appealed to the federal government and Lagos state government to create easy-access refilling depots for commercial tricycles using CNG.

    “We want the government to create easy access for us to enable us refill our tricycles with ease. At the same time, we have also instructed our members to reduce the fare as CNG operations begin,” Oseni said. (NAN)

  • Fed Govt to give 2,000 CNG-powered tricycles to youths

    Fed Govt to give 2,000 CNG-powered tricycles to youths

    The federal government has announced plans to distribute 2,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) powered tricycles to youths in the informal sector.

    The government said this would be done in collaboration with the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGi) to mark Nigeria’s 64th independence celebration.

    Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande who disclosed this during a press conference on Friday, urged Nigerians to remain hopeful about the federal government’s Renewed Hope agenda, assuring that “better days lie ahead.”

    He said: “I have just concluded a meeting regarding a partnership between the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Presidential Initiative on CNG, and the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria for a Tricycle Empowerment Programme targeting youths in the informal sector.

    “On Tuesday, October 1st, we will launch the first phase of the project, distributing 2,000 CNG-powered tricycles to young people engaged in the transportation sector by the end of the year. This initiative will ensure that tricycle riders, who are predominantly youth, will spend only 20% of what they currently spend on petrol. This will improve their profit margins and reduce transportation costs for passengers.

    “This initiative is not for APC members or politicians. It is for ordinary Nigerians who genuinely need it. We have ensured that this program is not for government officials’ relatives but for the people who will benefit the most.”

    Olawande also appealed to Nigerian youths to embrace the various government initiatives, stressing that the future of the country lies in the hands of its youth.

    The minister emphasised President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to empowering the younger generation, stating: “As our forefathers fought for the independence of this nation, it is our responsibility as the youth to preserve its unity for future generations. We must not allow ourselves to be used as agents of destruction under any circumstances.”

    The minister added: “President Tinubu has demonstrated his commitment to fulfilling every promise he made to the youth. During his campaign, he vowed to prioritize youth inclusion in governance, and he has kept that promise. He approved a specific percentage for youth representation in his government, which has been implemented. Several young individuals have also been appointed as Directors-General, Executive Secretaries, and Chairpersons of agencies, parastatals, and boards.”

    Read Also: FG approves CNG conversion workshop for Ondo

    Olawande stated that the President’s appointments predominantly reflected the inclusion of children of average Nigerians to promote equal opportunities.

    “This underscores the President’s desire to build a nation where no one is denied opportunities based on their background,” he said.

    He said: “The President has initiated the Student Loan Scheme, which enables Nigerian youth to access quality education without financial constraints. He has also approved the establishment of the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), which will provide young people with relevant skills to enhance their participation in business and the job market.

    “As we confront the challenge of youth unemployment, the President believes that about 75% of job seekers can find opportunities within the growing MSME sector and through rapid initiatives at the Bank of Industry (BOI).

    “Recognising the digital potential of Nigerian youth, the government also launched the ‘Digital Literacy for All’ (DL4ALL) program, which aims to train over 30 million young Nigerians in digital skills, in partnership with NYSC and NITDA.”

    The Minister further mentioned the recent approval of a Youth House in Abuja, which he said would serve as a platform for youth to express their abilities, explore their passions, and identify their self-identity.

    He also said the government has revamped the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), with an initial capital of N110 billion designed to provide financial support to young entrepreneurs and start-ups.

    Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olubunmi Ojo, said: “The essence of today’s briefing is to highlight the achievements of the Ministry. Yes, as a youth, we deserve a lot, and that is why we demand a lot. But the present administration, led by President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, has shown commitment to meeting the needs of Nigerian youth.”

  • Fed Govt, partners to roll out 5,000 CNG-powered tricycles

    Fed Govt, partners to roll out 5,000 CNG-powered tricycles

    The Federal Government will in partnership with Luoyang Northern Enterprises (Luojia) roll out 5,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered tricycles within the next three months.

    Speaking yesterday during the commissioning of the Luojia tricycle assembly plant in Ogun State, Programme Director/Chief Executive, Presidential CNG Initiative (P-CNG), Michael Oluwagbemi, said the 5,000 tricycles form part of the initial units acquired by the government under the Presidential CNG Initiative to enhance affordable and eco-friendly transportation across Nigeria and to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

     He said the move supports the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (P-CNG) initiative aimed at advancing Nigeria towards sustainable energy solutions.

    To support this initiative, Oluwagbemi stated that government has introduced several incentives, including Value Added Tax (VAT) exemptions and custom duty waivers for the tricycles entering Nigeria.

    Read Also: President condoles with Jimi Agbaje over son’s death

    Furthermore, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) is providing CNG at a concessionary price, offering more than a 40 per cent discount on the current price, ensuring users up to 70 percent savings compared to operating on petrol for the same distance.

    Oluwagbemi also announced that “The government has mandated all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to purchase only CNG-powered vehicles moving forward. This decision is expected to drive the adoption of cleaner energy solutions across the country.”

    Highlighting the resultant economic benefits of the Luojia Assembly Plant, he said that “It will generate at least 60 direct jobs and over 6,000 indirect jobs. This collaboration with the private sector in implementing this initiative would boost economic growth and increase tax revenue for the government.”

    Regarding the distribution and payment plan for beneficiaries, Oluwagbemi disclosed that the government is working with various tricycle organizations to identify potential beneficiaries under a loan scheme. “We are also developing a convenient payment plan for these individuals. Additionally, conversion kits will be made available at discounted prices to enable people to convert their existing vehicles to CNG.”

    “The government is engaging with various stakeholders to increase the number and capacity of these refilling plants nationwide,” he added. This is even as he urged Nigerians, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s promises, to embrace and adopt CNG as Nigeria’s future for cleaner energy.

    The officer in charge of the assembly plant, Gabriel Idowu, said that “The plant has the capacity to assemble 120 tricycles daily and over 30,000 in a year as it ramps up its capacity with time.” Idowu noted that each unit of the tricycle would cost between N3 – 3.5 million. He assured the public of meeting the initial request of 5,000 units.

    “We are also making plans to ramp up our capacity in terms of numbers. We have expatriates who will be coming in from China to train our team on the ground. We are also open to collaborating with individuals who have hands-on experience in the field.”

    Also speaking, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Touchstone Global Investment Services (TGIS) Damilola Agboola, said “the removal of fuel subsidy and the introduction of CNG by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu present an opportunity in which Luojia has come to Nigeria.

    Luoyang Northern Enterprises (Luojia) has been dedicated to producing high-quality motorcycles, tricycles, scooters, engines and spare parts in the last five decades. It has the capacity to assemble 120 tricycles that are CNG powered per day with the capacity to assemble 30000 (thirty thousand) in a year. It is also an opportunity for job creation. At the start we expect a minimum of 60 direct jobs.”

    Former Lagos State Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Kayode Opeifa explained that the adoption of CNG tricycle means cheaper transportation which translates to more money in people’s pockets and a cleaner environment. “It is energy security for Nigeria, apart from the fact that CNG is cheaper the cost of transport will come down and inflation will come down,” he said.