The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to overhauling the transport and logistics sector through expanded deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.
Giwa made this known in a meeting with the National President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).
Giwa, who emphasised that deploying of CNG was to ensure road safety, added that the state was currently in discussions with the banking sector to widen financing options for transport operators.
“The governor’s sustained investment in clean mobility is transformational,” he said.
The National President of NARTO, Alhaji Usman Lawal, commended the Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration for its support, citing other infrastructure projects such as the rail line and food hub initiatives.
He revealed that the Presidential Initiative on CNG had already delivered 20 CNG buses to the state.
“Lagos has also received additional 50-seater CNG buses, including three newly delivered LPC 50-seater units just three months ago.
“The introduction of the buses has cut transportation costs by at least 30 per cent offering relief to commuters,” he said.
Mr Hassan Adekoya, Senior Special Assistant on Transportation and Logistics, on his part, emphasised the government’s renewed focus on safety in the haulage and logistics sector.
He mentioned that Sanwo-Olu had approved mandatory substance-abuse tests for all truck drivers in Lagos, alongside free government-funded corrective eyeglasses for drivers diagnosed with vision impairment.
“The state has concluded plans to phase out rickety trucks in favour of cleaner and safer alternatives through an initiative structured as an asset-purchase scheme in partnership with UBA Bank.
“This will allow operators to acquire new trucks and repay through structured financing,” he said.
He added that the initiative would protect government’s infrastructure from damages and also enhance safety of lives and property.
Also, Chairman, NARTO Lagos State, Alhaji Kayode Okunowo, pledged the association’s cooperation with the state government to build a safer and more coordinated logistics environment across the state.
