The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Saturday vowed to reduce transport fare drastically if the ongoing autogas conversion initiative of the Federal Government is well implemented.
The union said the CNG is cheap compared to the premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, which transporters heavily relied on to power their vehicles.
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi), which was launched under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, is set to deliver wide-reaching benefits to Nigerians by significantly cutting fuel costs.
The initiative targets the conversion of 1 million vehicles through the distribution of free CNG conversion kits to commercial vehicles involved in transporting people, food and goods in line with Tinubu’s directive.
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On Saturday, the PCNGi began inspection of commercial vehicles for onward CNG Conversion in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Daily Trust reports that the exercise in partnership with the Nigerian Gas and Transport Solutions Limited (NGTSL) took place at the conversion centre within the premise of Ogun Public Works Agency, Quarry Road and NexGen Automotive, Olorunsogo, both in Abeokuta.
At 100 conversion kits have been delivered to the two centres by the Federal Government.
Speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the exercise, the State Chairman of the NURTW, Ismail Adewale Yaro, applauded the initiative, which he said would bring succour not only to transport workers, but also the entire Nigerians.
The Chairman who was represented by a branch Chairman, Ahmed Bankole, explained that constant increase in fuel price always forces transporters to inturn hike their charges.
Yaro said “We feel happy, very happy. It’s a good initiative coming at a time when the price of petrol is increasing every day.
“But with this initiative, I believe that if the initiative is properly implemented, we will all be happy. The CNG conversion price is low, while the petrol is high.
“We will reduce the transport fare downward and drastically if the initiative is well implemented. We must do that. Presently, it’s like we are wasting our time because we are not making profit. All our income is being on fuel every day.
“We thank the President for this initiative.”
The Director of Vehicle Inspection Services at the State Ministry of Transportation, Engr Ademehin Olugboyega, explained that the inspection is meant to ascertain the capacity of each vehicle for the CNG conversion before the process is carried out.
“We are inspecting commercial vehicles to confirm if they are fit to be converted for the use of CNG. For this center we are distributing 60 kits for now more are still coming.
“The 70 litres cylinder can cover 150 kilometers.The cylinder is molded not welded and it is as thick as 60mm, bulletproof, accident proof and cannot cause any explosive,” he said.
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