Lagos State is stepping up efforts to modernise its freight transport system and enhance road safety with the planned deployment of 2,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks. The move, part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s haulage reform programme, was discussed at a high-level meeting in Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday.
The meeting, led by Sola Giwa, Senior Adviser on Transportation to the governor, included other key officials such as Comrade Hassan Adekoya, Senior Special Assistant on Transportation and Logistics, and Wale Musa, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation. Stakeholders from the haulage sector also attended.
The initiative is structured as a public-private partnership supported by a ₦150 billion soft-loan facility from the United Bank for Africa (UBA). It aims to replace old and unsafe diesel trucks, which have been linked to frequent accidents and infrastructure damage across Lagos.
Officials said the programme will address longstanding safety concerns highlighted by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). Many existing trucks do not meet modern safety standards, contributing to container crashes, vehicle breakdowns, and other road hazards.
Giwa emphasised that the state’s plan is designed to reduce accidents, improve cargo movement, and lower environmental pollution by phasing in CNG-powered trucks. An initial ₦50 billion has already been allocated to kickstart the project.
Adekoya revealed that the state will implement mandatory safety assessments for truck drivers, including drug tests and eye examinations, with corrective measures like free eyewear provided for those with sight issues.
The Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) welcomed the initiative, describing it as a vital step toward cleaner energy adoption and higher professional standards in the transport sector. Yusuf Othman, NARTO National President, commended both the Lagos and Federal governments for supporting safer and more sustainable haulage operations.
Kayode Odunowo, Chairman of NARTO’s Lagos chapter, and Kola Ogunyemi, the association’s South-West Zonal Chairman, echoed these sentiments, urging members to embrace the transition to CNG trucks as a path to improved safety and efficiency.
The rollout of 2,000 CNG trucks is expected to significantly reduce the number of unsafe vehicles on Lagos roads, marking a major milestone in the state’s transport modernisation drive.
