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

The Lagos State Government has intensified its efforts to modernise 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 while Lagos State will supply CNG trucks to NARTO, the CNG buses previously received by the association came from the Federal Government through national intervention programmes.

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.

The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to modernize its transport and logistics ecosystem, unveiling an ambitious collaboration with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to deploy 2,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks across the state.

The agreement emerged from a closed-door stakeholders’ engagement where the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, and the Senior Special Assistant on Transportation and Logistics, Hon. Hassan Adekoya, briefed industry leaders on progress made under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

Giwa explained that the state is working with banking institutions to scale financing opportunities for operators interested in the CNG initiative. He commended the governor for sustaining investment in clean mobility, noting that the transition is not only environmentally conscious but also economically beneficial.

According to him, the state has already delivered 20 CNG trucks, received multiple 50-seater units, and recently took delivery of three new LPC 50-seater CNG trucks. He emphasized that the introduction of CNG vehicles has significantly reduced transportation costs, easing mobility challenges for residents.

“Through the Presidential Initiative on CNG and the state’s proactive steps, we have already seen a reduction of transportation costs by at least 30%. This model is working, and we are now preparing for the deployment of 2,000 additional CNG trucks to further strengthen mass transit,” Giwa said.

He projected that the cumulative value of the state’s transport investments would exceed ₦50 billion, underscoring the government’s commitment to a modern and sustainable transportation framework.

In his remarks, Adekoya emphasized safety reforms targeted at haulage and logistics operations. He announced a series of measures aimed at reducing truck-related accidents and protecting public infrastructure.

“His Excellency has approved mandatory substance-abuse tests for all truck drivers operating in Lagos State. Drivers found to have vision problems will receive corrective eyeglasses funded by the government,” Adekoya stated.

He added that the administration is implementing a phased replacement of aged diesel trucks, paving the way for cleaner, safer and environmentally compliant haulage operations.

“The days of container trucks collapsing, destroying vehicles, and taking innocent lives are over. Lagosians deserve to go to work and return home safely. This is the promise of this administration,” he said.

The logistics modernization plan is being implemented under an asset-purchase arrangement facilitated through UBA Bank, enabling operators to acquire new vehicles and repay under structured financing terms.

Responding, the National President of NARTO, Alhaji Usman Yusuf Lawal, lauded the Sanwo-Olu administration for championing investor-friendly transport and infrastructure solutions.

“We appreciate the governor’s initiatives—not only this one, but also ongoing projects such as the rail line and the food hubs,” Lawal said.

On the scope of the truck replacement plan, he confirmed that talks are still ongoing.

“We have not concluded the pricing of the new trucks. Once that is finalized, we will evaluate our current fleet to determine which units will be phased out. The goal is an efficient and safer fleet that benefits both operators and the general public,” he added.

Also speaking, the Lagos State Chairman of NARTO, Alhaji Kayode Okunowo, expressed the association’s commitment to working with the government to build a structured and safe logistics environment for residents and businesses across Lagos.