In an effort to easing the high cost of transportation across the country, the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGi) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW.
The agreement which was signed with three branches of the NURTW namely; Itakpe Train Station, Ajaokuta, and Adavi units is to reduce cost of transportation across the country.
This was disclosed by the programme Director/Chief Executive of Pi-CNG, Michael Oluwagbemi. He stated that the initiative is targeted at reducing cost of transportation along the Abuja-Adavi-Ajaokuta-Itakpe road corridor. Covering the FCT, Kogi, Edo and Delta States in particular and Nigeria in general.
The PCNGi is a component of the palliative intervention of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. It is directed at providing succor to the masses occasioned by the hardships of the fuel subsidy removal policy.
According to Oluwagbemi, more CNG stations have been established for vehicles that will be plying the road corridor.
He said, “We are here to commence activities to mark the Independence Day celebrations. Which lead us to launch several initiatives aimed at reducing transportation costs for our people. The resolution to sign this MoU is aimed at reducing fares which are currently as high as ₦12,000 to ₦13,000 from Abuja. We are bringing them down to ₦7,000 for 6/8-passenger vehicles and ₦8,000 for 4-passenger vehicles, respectively.
“These stations are very important to us. As they serve passengers traveling from Kogi to Delta States through Edo State. From each of these three stations, Adavi, Ajaokuta and Itakpe, we are committed to starting with the conversion of 100 vehicles respectively. Once we achieve the 100 conversions, all vehicles should be ready by the end of October. We need to inspect and evaluate these vehicles to ensure they are ready for service.
“Our conversion centres are ready. With efficiency ranging from 1.2 to 5.6. And I can assure you that currently, we have about 100 car keys with us for vehicles that are being converted,” the PCNGI Chief Executive told Tribune Online.
Oluwagbemi, however, stated that upon completion of the conversion for each respective operation and after reaching 100 vehicles, the NURTW will be committed to enforcing compliance on PCNGi behalf.
He said, “If any operator violates these rules, they will be held responsible for any penalties. Thereby demonstrating the union’s commitment to this initiative. This effort aims to reduce transportation costs from ₦13,000 to ₦7,000 and ₦8,000. Making it possible to travel from Edo State to Delta State for less than ₦10,000. This initiative is aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the country. We respect the level of infrastructure, which is a work in progress. As I speak to you, we have just received great news that Greenville is commissioning 17 additional fuel stations in five States. These are Kwara, Osun, Ibadan, Ekiti, Nasarawa States, and FCT, Abuja.
“They are also commissioning stations in the northern part of the country, including Kaduna, Katsina, and Jigawa. And they recently commissioned one in Lafia about three weeks ago. These efforts aim to ease transportation costs for our people across the nation. Our equipment is already on the ground. And this week, we recently signed an MoU with Matrix Energy to build stations across some parts of Niger, Oyo States. And other regions of the country.
“We are trying to ensure that these stations mean business. And the only viable way is by converting vehicles. Which is why we are working very hard to accelerate conversion plans across the country. We are also planning to expand our conversion stations from 8 to 10. And to launch them in line with the Independence Day celebrations. The whole idea is that we are rolling out our targeted plans. And infrastructure development is going to be particularly focused on Kogi State and FCT Abuja, for the CNG initiative.
“Ajaokuta is a major gas hub in Nigeria and Obajana has CNG stations located between Itakpe and Lokoja. And here in Abuja, six NNPC stations will offer fare reductions for the benefit of the people. That’s why we are collaborating with the transport union, the NURTW, one of the leading transport unions in the country. Which has been working with us from day one to achieve this project, targeting about 40% fare reductions,” Oluwagbemi added.
The Branch Secretary, NURTW Ajaokuta, Teslim Adeyemo, while speaking on behalf of the Union, appreciated the government for the CNG. He, however, urged them to “spread the CNGi tentacles across Nigeria.”
He said, “First and foremost, we want to appreciate the Federal Government. For efforts that they have put in place to subsidize the standard of living of Nigerians through the CNGi. We also, want to appreciate this golden opportunity given to the NURTW. And we consider it as honour to be part of this partnership. We believe this is a right initiative in the right direction.
“And we believe that if it materializes as they promised, transportation fare will reduce drastically. We want this to be done with immediate effect. So, that it wouldn’t just benefit the transporters in Ajaokuta, Adavi and Itakpe but transporters across the country,” Adeyemo added.
source: Nigerian Tribune
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