Lagos NURTW unveils 3,000 CNG tricycles worth N10.2bn

The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos State Chapter, has unveiled its first 3,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) commercial tricycles worth N10.2 billion to ease transport challenges.

The CNG was launched by Alhaji Azeez Abiola, one of the NURTW chieftains, on Wednesday in Lagos.

Abiola, the Zonal Chairman, Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria under the NURTW, said the initiative would bring succour to the masses by reducing the lingering cost of transportation.

“Over 3,000 CNG tricycles have been deployed to the state to ease the cost of transportation among the residents and at the same time reduce economic hardship.

“We thank God Almighty for the opportunity to launch this laudable project with the support of President Bola Tinubu.

“As we launch this initiative today, residents will begin to experience a reduction in the cost of transportation within their locality.

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“This is the number one CNG commercial tricycle in the country that will be in operation. This is because the 3,000 tricycles will begin operations on Thursday.

“This development will reduce the cost of living among our people drastically because it costs a tricyclist N15,000 fuel to operate daily, while CNG operation will cost between N2,500 and N3,000 for daily operations,” he said.

He said the initiative would create over 5,000 new jobs for operators and technicians in charge of CNG conversions.

He also commended the President for the opportunity to venture into the new CNG operation for commercial purposes.

“We also appreciate the support of our state NURTW chairman for this initiative and for making it possible for members to be beneficiaries.

“With this development, we are going to engage hundreds of our members, fix them in the system and monitor their operations from excessive charges,” he said.

Abiola, however, appealed to the government to establish the CNG station within the locality of operators for easy refilling access.

“The only challenge we are having now is that of the CNG filling station which is only situated at Agidingbi in Ikeja, while our members are operating in Alagbado, Agbado-Okeodo, Ifako-Ijaiye, Agege and Alimosho.

“We also want the government to lift the ban of tricycles on the routes linked to the CNG filling station to make refilling easier,” he said.

Lagos NURTW unveils 3,000 CNG tricycles worth N10.2bn

Breaking: NLC, TUC meet FG over petrol price, others

Leaders of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and their Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, counterpart are currently meeting with the Federal Government.

Newstrends gathered that meeting is centered on the state of the nation, especially the petrol pricing and its consequences.

According to sources, the meeting is taking place at the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume.

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Roll call

At the meeting are Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, NSA; Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Labour Minister; Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

Others are Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Information Minister; Heineken Lokpobiri, Petroleum Minister, State; Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), and representatives of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Limited.

Breaking: NLC, TUC meet FG over petrol price, others

Another petrol tanker explodes on Lagos-Ibadan expressway, many vehicles, houses burnt

A devastating fire broke out along the Ibafo area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State early Wednesday, leaving many injured and causing extensive damage to vehicles, homes, and livestock.

The incident occurred when a petrol tanker overturned near a commercial bank, igniting a massive fire that spread quickly through the area.

Eyewitnesses reported that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel, resulting in a loss of control and the tanker’s fall, which triggered the explosion.

The petrol spill from the overturned tanker flowed into a nearby drainage system, extending the fire to a community about a kilometer away.

Vehicles worth millions of naira were destroyed, and houses were engulfed in flames, leaving residents and property owners counting their losses.

A witness identified as Wasiu who reported attributed the incident to reckless driving was quoted as saying, “I saw the tanker swaying before it fell and spilled its contents into the drainage. It didn’t ignite right away, as some people began scooping up the fuel.

“However, after a few minutes, a fire broke out from the other side of the expressway and quickly escalated. Four tipper trucks parked at the Osadol Fuel Station were destroyed, and the fire spread into the nearby community.”

Another resident of the area identified as Tunde Adewumi, said that many people in the area were asleep when the fire reached them.

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Adewumi said, “It was a serious incident, but thankfully the drainage was there; otherwise, the damage would have been much worse.

“The fire injured about three people and damaged several buildings, particularly affecting those living near the drainage’s end.”

Confirming the incident, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, said that the tanker driver was injured and taken to the hospital.

The police spokesperson said, “The incident involved a Fiat truck, but we don’t have the driver’s name or address yet.

“It occurred when the driver lost control and collided with the roadside curb, causing the tanker to overturn and ignite. The fire then spread to the truck and eventually engulfed it.

“Additionally, the flames reached the Osadol Petrol Station, damaging two trucks parked outside.

“The fire service was contacted, but local community members and police officers managed to contain it while waiting for their arrival.

“The truck driver has been taken to Real Divine Touch Hospital in Ibafo for medical treatment.”

Platinumpost had reported that a devastating petrol tanker explosion occurred late Tuesday night along the Kano-Hadejia expressway in Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, resulting in numerous casualties.

Reports from Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, indicate that the explosion began around 11:45 PM and continued until approximately 3:15 AM on Wednesday.

The blast ignited a massive fire that has tragically claimed many lives and left at least 300 individuals severely injured.

Another petrol tanker explodes on Lagos-Ibadan expressway, many vehicles, houses burnt