Lagos to Deploy 2,000 CNG Trucks for Port, Haulage Operations by November 2025

Lagos to Deploy 2,000 CNG Trucks for Port, Haulage Operations by November 2025

…Targets safer roads, reduced emissions, modernised logistics ecosystem

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to roll out 2,000 newly acquired Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks for port and haulage operations before the end of November 2025. The initiative is part of efforts to enhance road safety, cut emissions, and upgrade the state’s logistics and transportation framework.

The project, implemented through a public-private partnership, is backed by a N150 billion soft-loan facility provided by the United Bank for Africa (UBA). It is designed to gradually phase out old and unsafe haulage trucks that continue to contribute to road crashes across the state.

Lagos has recorded frequent incidents involving fallen articulated vehicles and tankers in recent years, prompting renewed calls for improved safety oversight from agencies such as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). The FRSC has repeatedly warned that many trucks in use are decades old and no longer meet national safety standards.

Industry stakeholders at past engagements have also advocated government-supported access to safer, modern trucks to improve efficiency and reduce accidents.

‘A Timely Intervention’ — Adekoya

Speaking on the development, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation and Logistics, Comrade Hassan Adekoya, described the initiative as timely and crucial to addressing the persistent challenge of accidents involving articulated vehicles.

Adekoya explained that the first phase of the programme is supported by a N50 billion funding arrangement facilitated by Governor Sanwo-Olu through UBA to enable operators acquire the new CNG-powered trucks.

According to him, the initial rollout will deploy at least 500 trucks, with a total target of 2,000 units, all of which are expected to replace aging trucks that have “outlived their safety and operational usefulness.”

“The governor has given a marching order for the launch of the trucks, and enforcement will begin soon,” he added.

Environmental, Economic and Safety Benefits

Adekoya noted that CNG-powered trucks offer significant environmental and economic advantages. They emit lower levels of carbon, nitrogen oxides, and harmful particulates compared to diesel-powered alternatives.

He added that operators also stand to benefit from reduced operating costs, as CNG is more affordable than diesel and the engines generally require less maintenance because of reduced carbon buildup.

Beyond cost and environmental gains, Adekoya emphasized that safety remains the core priority of the intervention. Citing recent accidents — including one at the Kara Bridge corridor — he said the use of modern CNG trucks would significantly reduce crashes, protect lives, and safeguard the state’s road infrastructure.

The rollout of the CNG trucks is expected to reshape haulage operations in Lagos, enhance port efficiency, and support the state’s broader transition to cleaner energy and safer transportation systems.