Kaduna: The Kaduna State Council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has urged the Federal Government to provide additional installation outlets for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
Alhaji Hassan Ibrahim, the State Secretary of the union, made the call Tuesday in Kaduna.
Recall that the first CNG refuelling station in Kaduna was officially inaugurated on October 24, 2023, by Gov. Uba Sani in Kakau, Chikun Local Government Area under the auspices of Greenville LNG.
Additionally, on November 6, 2023, the Federal Government inaugurated a CNG vehicle conversion centre in Kaduna (Kakau, Chikun LGA), as part of its nationwide effort to convert petrol vehicles to dual-fuel (CNG + petrol) by 2027.
Ibrahim, therefore, commended the Federal Government for the initiative, especially for considering Kaduna State amongst the benefiting states.
He, however, said that much was still desired, as Kaduna has only six outlets, compared to Lagos State, which has over 68.
He said, “We have outlets in Kakau, Artillery, Sabo, two located in Chikun Local Government and one in Zaria.
“The union had mobilised her members, compiled their data and had their vehicles converted even though there were technical issues concerning installations on the CNG components.
“The program is still ongoing, and our members are being recruited to convert their vehicles to the CNG programme.”
Ibrahim said only over 200 vehicles in Kaduna had so far been converted from either petrol or diesel to CNG.
“We cannot categorically ascertain the quantity of components made available to the state, but we are concerned with the conversion of vehicles of members that have been certified to be converted.
Although technical issues were encountered during the teething period, they were reported to the relevant company in Abuja.
“We need more allocation of the CNG outlets to be opened up, as most of our members are clamouring for additional installation outlets.
“Lagos alone has over 68, while in the entire northern region, I can tell you that there are not more than 20,” he said.
The official stated that the state council of the union had over 160,000 registered members across the 23 local areas in the state.
“This figure is aside the Keke riders and that makes the NURTW a major stakeholder in the transport subsector,” Ibrahim maintained
