Lagos Govt, NARTO Seal Strategic Partnership on 2,000 CNG trucks, Safety Reforms for Drivers

Lagos Govt, NARTO Seal Strategic Partnership on 2,000 CNG trucks, Safety Reforms for Drivers

The Lagos State Government has intensified its efforts to modernize haulage and logistics operations, announcing a strategic partnership with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) for the deployment of 2,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks across the state.

The agreement followed a closed-door stakeholders’ engagement involving key representatives of the transportation sector. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, and the Senior Special Assistant on Transportation and Logistics, Hon. Hassan Adekoya, outlined plans to support operators while enhancing public safety under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

Giwa revealed that the state is deepening discussions with financial institutions to provide funding solutions that will support operators’ transition from diesel-powered trucks to CNG-powered alternatives. He emphasized that the initiative will improve operational efficiency, reduce emissions, and cut logistics costs for operators,he explained that Lagos State will supply CNG trucks to NARTO.

Speaking on safety reforms, Adekoya disclosed that the governor has approved a set of measures aimed at drastically curbing truck-related accidents on Lagos roads.

“His Excellency has approved mandatory substance-abuse tests for all truck drivers operating in Lagos. Any driver diagnosed with visual impairment will receive corrective eyeglasses fully funded by the government,” he said.

He further noted that the administration has begun the gradual phase-out of old diesel trucks to ensure safer and more environmentally friendly haulage operations.

“The days of container-loaded trucks collapsing on vehicles and taking lives must end. Lagosians should be able to leave home and return safely. That is the standard we are enforcing,” Adekoya stated.

The CNG truck rollout will be executed under an asset-purchase scheme facilitated by UBA Bank, providing operators with structured repayment options.

In his remarks, the National President of NARTO, Alhaji Usman Yusuf Lawal, commended the Lagos State Government for sustaining stakeholder engagement and investing in logistics infrastructure.

He also expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for its support, noting that the National Presidential CNG Initiative delivered 20 CNG buses and 3 CNG 50-seater buses to NARTO, while the NNPC provided an additional 50-seater CNG bus.

“We appreciate the Federal Government for the buses already given, and we also commend Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration—not only for this initiative but for others as well, including the rail lines and the food hub projects,” Lawal said.

Regarding the replacement of older vehicles, Lawal explained that discussions on costing and implementation are still in progress.

“We are yet to finalize the cost of the new trucks. Once that is determined, we will assess our existing fleet and identify the vehicles that will be phased out. The priority is safer, more efficient trucks for the benefit of operators and the public,” he added.

The Chairman of NARTO Lagos, Alhaji Kayode Okunowo, assured that the association will continue to work closely with the government to ensure a safer, more structured logistics ecosystem in the state.