The Lagos State Chapter of the Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria (TOOAN) is educating its members about the benefits and safety precautions of using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in their operations. According to Alhaji Azeez Istijabah, Zonal Chairman of TOOAN, this initiative will help operators transition smoothly to CNG and improve safety measures.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Istijabah emphasized the importance of operators avoiding smoking or being near open flames while operating CNG-powered tricycles due to the high flammability of gas. He also highlighted the need to prevent overloading and maintain a three-passenger capacity per trip for safe operation.
The initiative follows the unveiling of 3,000 CNG commercial tricycles by the Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), a move aimed at reducing transport challenges and easing the burden of high petrol costs on operators.
Mr. AbdulAkeem Sabiu, Chairman of TOOAN's Abule-Egba branch, praised the CNG initiative and called on the government to establish more refilling depots for tricycles, citing the need for easier access to CNG stations across the state. Sabiu pointed out that some areas, like Agidingbi, where refilling stations are situated, are prohibited for tricycle operations.
The CNG initiative is expected to bring financial relief to both operators and commuters while promoting safer, more sustainable transport in Lagos.
