As part of the Federal Government’s effort to reduce the cost of transportation, the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, PCNGI, on Tuesday, signed an agreement with the Airport Taxi Operators, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to convert 800 vehicles to CNG fuel.
The deal, according to PCNGI, would reduce fare to the airport by about 30 percent.
Speaking at a brief signing ceremony, Programme Director/Chief Executive, PCNGI, Engr Michael Oluwagbemi said the Federal Government was determined to provide a cheaper, cleaner and sustainable alternative fuel for Nigerians.
Engr. Oluwagbemi who was represented by the Programme Execution Coordinator, Mr Folarin Oworo assured that the plan to convert one million vehicles to CNG is on course.
He said: “The airport taxis operators have about 800 fleet of vehicles and we have agreed that once we hit 50 per cent conversion, which is about 400 vehicles, a 30 per cent discount will be implemented immediately.
“There are various prices based on the distance one is traveling, so the 30 per cent will be applied accordingly based on the current prices for the areas one is going.
“A red card with prices and discount will also be available in the vehicle based on the passenger’s destination. And to ensure compliance there will be regular monitoring for diligent delivery,” he said.
Speaking on the safety of the CNG cylinders, Engr. Oluwagbemi said an explosion could only occur if the conversion was done illegally, with locally manufactured cylinders.
He said: “Cylinders used for CNG are practically bullet proof and cannot explode or break. So we implored Nigerians not to cut corners.
“The Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, has also certified the CNG cylinders the P-CNGI is using. We guarantee in our conversion that an explosion cannot occur unless there is intentional tampering with it.
“We have different sizes of cylinders – 65 and 75 litres to reduce time of refilling. Going forward we will introduce various sizes and shapes to suit vehicles and loads to carry,” he said.
Also speaking, Spokesman of Airport Taxi Operators, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Mr Aliyu Abdulaziz Aliyu, commended the PCNGI for signing the agreement with them and assured that the free conversion would drastically reduce airport taxi fare.
