The Federal Government has signed an agreement with taxi operators at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja as part of plans toward promoting sustainable transportation.
The agreement aims to convert the operators’ vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas, reducing airport transportation fares and promoting cleaner fuel alternatives.
With the agreement, passengers can expect a 30% discount on shuttle fares once 50% of the 800 fleet vehicles are converted.
During the signing ceremony, Michael Oluwagbemi, Programme Director and Chief Executive of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, explained that the discount will vary based on the distance traveled, with a red card system introduced to display prices and discounts according to the passenger’s destination, according to Politics Nigeria.
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative is driving this initiative, which aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to convert one million commercial vehicles.
This move is a response to soaring fuel prices and aims to provide a more efficient and sustainable transportation network.
PCNGI has established partnerships with accredited conversion centers and expanded CNG refilling infrastructure in Abuja from one to seven stations in just a year.
The initiative prioritizes safety, with certified cylinders approved by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria. The cylinders used for CNG are designed to be practically bulletproof and cannot explode or break.
Regular monitoring will ensure compliance and effectiveness of the initiative. PCNGI plans to introduce various cylinder sizes to accommodate different vehicles, further contributing to a sustainable transportation network.
This development is expected to have a positive impact on the environment and the economy, providing relief to commuters and promoting a cleaner alternative to traditional fuels.
“The airport taxi operators have about 800 fleet of vehicles, and we have agreed that once we hit 50 per cent conversion, which is about 400 vehicles, a 30 per cent discount will be implemented immediately,” he explained.
The safety of CNG use was also highlighted, with Oluwagbemi assuring that “the cylinders used for CNG are practically bulletproof and cannot explode or break.”
