Fuel: Minister, gov, operators head for Transport Summit to seek solutions 

*Organisers unveil guest discussants

As Nigerians grapple with the realities of fuel subsidy removal and its ripple effects, Minister of Transportation Senator Sai’du Ahmed Alkali, will lead stakeholders in the transport sector to a solution-based national discourse tagged ‘2024 Nigeria Transport Summit’.

According to the organisers of the programme, Transportation Correspondents Association of Nigeria, the event holding on October 17, 2024 at Radisson Hotel, Lagos, will bring together critical stakeholders to brainstorm on the need for all modes of transport to work in harmony to avoid over reliance on road transportation.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chairman, Transportation Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN), Yinka Aderibigbe, and Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Rasheed Bisiriyu.

Other personalities that have indicated willingness to participate in the event are Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, as Keynote Speaker.

It also said speakers drawn from the transport industry and academia would present papers during the one day event with the theme, “Intermodal Transport: Prospects and Challenges”.

The paper presentations will dissect issues bordering on waterways transportation and hazards, cargo evacuation processes from the ports, multimodal accident investigations, among other transport-related issues.

Some of those listed as key discussants are Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi; Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria; Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) Engr. Abimbola Akinajo; and Director General, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Capt. Alex Barde (Jnr.).

Others are National President of Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria, Olusegun Obayendo; Lagos Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Engr. Sarat Braimah; former military commandant at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Group Capt. John Ojikutu (retd.) and Deputy President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr Olusegun Musa.

The association noted that for the nation to come out of the present economic quagmire, the potential of the transportation sector must be well harnessed through intermodal operation in line with the global best practice.

Chisco Transport deploys new buses, plans expansion, reward for travellers 

Chisco Transport, one of the country’s frontrunners in long distance passenger transportation and logistics, has announced the deployment of brand new luxury buses with innovative features to various routes.

The company said it is also expanding its network of branches so as to take its services closer to the teeming customers nationwide.

It disclosed these developments in a statement signed by Head of Business Operations, Mr Buchi Ochuba.

The statement added that the new state-of-the-art air-conditioned buses are already on duty on the routes to the new (and old) branches in Nigeria and across West Africa.

“Chisco Transport is also pleased to introduce to the travelling public the exciting customer rewards. With our brand-new fleet of luxury and mini buses, expanded branches, new routes across West Africa, and exciting customer rewards, we’re taking our customers’ journeys to the next level,” Ochuba stated.

According to him, the new-look Chisco Transport fleet, featuring state-of-the-art buses, has all it takes to ensure that passengers travel in style with their comfort and safety prioritised.

He also stated that travelling in the new luxury buses and mini buses is pleasurable because of the premium seating arrangement which guarantees more legroom, adjustable seats, and extra comfort for long trips.

The new buses also boast advanced safety features, including real-time GPS tracking and top-tier safety systems to ensure peace of mind; as well as in-bus entertainment which makes it possible for passengers to enjoy a relaxing ride with modern entertainment systems.

The Head of Business Operations spoke more on the branch expansion, saying, “We’re excited to announce new branch locations coming soon across Nigeria, making it easier for our customers to access our top-tier services.

“Additionally, we’re covering international routes, with destinations in major cities like Cotonou, Togo, and Accra, Ghana. So, whether local or cross-border, the customers’ travel options just got wider.”

Beefing up the Chisco Transport bus fleet, Ochuba said, would enhance the popular 24 to 48-hour nationwide mail and parcel services.

He reiterated Chisco Transport’s strong belief in appreciating customers who consistently patronise its wide spectrum of services, explaining that a new reward scheme tagged Rides & Rewards Programme, is in line with this policy.

Ochuba said, “We believe in rewarding loyalty! With the launch of our new Rides & Rewards Programme, you can earn discounts and exclusive offers every time you travel with us. The more you travel, the more you gain by booking trips on our seamless mobile App and our website www.chiscotransport.com.ng.”

He stressed that Chisco Transport remained dedicated to continuously improving of people’s travel experience and urged others outside the family to loin the exciting journey, “where comfort, safety and rewards are just the beginning.”

Yingqi Auto Machinery opens factory to revive vehicle engines in Lagos

‘Don’t throw away your old vehicle engines’

An auto company specializing in car engine refurbishment, Yingqi Auto Machinery Co Ltd, has been established in Lagos.

The firm says its aim is to help motorists maximise the service life of their vehicles.

In addition, the firm provides new energy technology support for companies in the automotive industry, including natural gas engines, electric vehicles and other technologies.

Located in the Ojodu Berger of Lagos State, the company opened its doors to corporate as well as individual customers at a an impressive event attended by stakeholders in the industry including the Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul.

Managing Director, Yingqi Auto Machinery, Mr. Vincent Ke, in his address at the event, said, “The birth of Yingqi Auto Machinery stems from a group of entrepreneurs with an unending passion and pursuit for automotive technology.

“Our team brings together elite talents from the automotive field, with rich industry experience, deep professional knowledge, and keen insights.”

He added, “Yingqi Auto Machinery, with its unique perspective and innovative thinking, is focused on the automotive sector, dedicated to solving industry challenges through advanced technology and improving people’s quality of life.”

The MD also spoke on the need for collaboration, saying, “As an international partner, I fully understand the importance of cross-border cooperation and exchange.

“In today’s globalized world, no country or enterprise can exist and develop in isolation”.

Mr. Vincent Ke, who is a Chinese national, also explained that the company is ready to play by the rules and assist in developmental projects in Nigeria.

He said, “We are also keenly aware that as a new enterprise, we bear greater social responsibility.

“We will actively respond to Nigeria’s national policies, promote green and low-carbon development, and contribute to Nigeria’s progress.

“We will also actively participate in public welfare and give back to society, doing our part in Nigeria’s development.”

Some of the machines already installed at the factory include a surface grinder, which is used to grind the surface of the engine block, stopping overheating and other related problems, and the boring machine for boring holes in the engine block, thereby bringing the engine back to standard.

Others are the benchtop grinder and honing machine to smoothen inside the engine block, as well as crankshaft grinder, lathe machine, hydraulic machine, among others.

Also speaking, the Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Abdul, said, “Yaba College of Technology welcomes Nigerian enterprises to participate in the college’s cooperation.

“We firmly believe that through the joint efforts and in-depth cooperation of both the university and enterprises, we will surely achieve even more fruitful results in talent cultivation, scientific research innovation, and social services.”

Owner and promoter of Nike Art Gallery, Nike Davies-Okundaye, praised the decision of the company to set up a factory in Nigeria, as she noted that it would contribute to job creation and transfer of technology.

She noted that Nigeria and China had come a long way in their developmental collaborations, and urged Yingqi Auto Machinery to keep the cooperation going.