The Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, is actively educating its members on the benefits and risks associated with using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday, Zonal Chairman Alhaji Azeez Istijabah emphasized that this initiative aims to equip members with the knowledge necessary to implement precautionary measures during their operations.
This educational effort follows the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos State chapter, unveiling its first 3,000 CNG commercial tricycles, valued at N10.2 billion, on October 16, as part of efforts to address transport challenges in the state.
Istijabah said: “Though there are economic advantages in converting petrol tricycles to gas, there are precautionary measures needed to be put in place to operate effectively.
“At first instance, operators must not smoke or operate in a naked fire environment.
“Smoking is highly prohibited while operating CNG tricycles because anything gas is highly inflammable.”
The union leader also urged members to avoid overloading their tricycles, urging them to always maintain three passengers at a trip.
“Operators should not allow passengers in the front seat.
“Overloading the tricycles is very dangerous, operators need to be very careful and take cognisance of various precautionary measures,” he added.
The association’s branch chairman in Abule-Egba, Mr. AbdulAkeem Sabiu, expressed to NAN that the recent development is set to enhance and motivate operators in the transport business.
He noted that many operators have been lamenting the rising costs of petrol and the new, more affordable CNG initiatives from the Federal Government are expected to provide relief for both transporters and commuters.
Sabiu also urged the Federal and Lagos State governments to establish easily accessible refilling depots for commercial tricycles using CNG. He pointed out that tricycles are currently prohibited from operating in the Agidingbi area, where the nearest CNG refilling station is located.
He said, “We want the government to create easy access for us to enable us to refill our tricycles with ease.”
(NAN)
