In a significant move towards sustainable transportation, the Nigerian government signed an agreement on Tuesday with taxi operators at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to convert vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

This initiative aims to reduce airport transportation fares while promoting cleaner fuel alternatives.

During the signing ceremony, Michael Oluwagbemi, Programme Director and Chief Executive of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), revealed that passengers could expect a 30 per cent discount on shuttle fares once the conversion is fully implemented.

“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 discount will vary based on the distance travelled, with a red card system being introduced to display prices and discounts according to the passenger’s destination. Regular monitoring will ensure compliance and effectiveness of the initiative.

Oluwagbemi, represented by Folarin Oworo, Programme Execution Coordinator for PCNGI, emphasised that this conversion aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to convert one million commercial vehicles, a response to soaring fuel prices.

The programme has established partnerships with accredited conversion centres and expanded CNG refilling infrastructure in Abuja from one to seven stations in just a year.

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.”

He urged citizens not to compromise safety, as certified cylinders have been approved by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

The PCNGI plans to introduce various cylinder sizes to accommodate different vehicles, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and sustainable transportation network in Nigeria.