Metro

CNG Taxis Slash Fares By 40% At Abuja Park

Published

7 months ago

May 2, 2025

The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas, Chief Executive Officer, Michael Oluwagbemi, has announced a 40 per cent transport fare reduction for commuters boarding CNG-powered taxis from the popular Area One Motor Park in Garki, Abuja.

The PiCNG CEO made the announcement at a field press briefing in Area 1 park on Friday in Abuja after the successful conversion of over 50 per cent vehicles at the park to CNG fueling.

He said the initiative is part of efforts to cushion the harsh effects of fuel subsidy removal, adding that the 40 per cent fare discount was specifically introduced to ease the high transport fare burden placed on Nigerians.

Represented by the Regional CNG Coordinator, North, Mr. David Idako at the motor park, Oluwagbemi said the PiCNG management had reduced the price in collaboration with the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

He stated that the reduction, which took immediate effect, is not only aimed at providing financial relief to commuters but also at promoting the adoption of CNG as a cleaner and more cost-effective alternative to petrol.

Idako said, “We have worked hand-in-hand with the National Union of Road Transport Workers. We have converted a lot of their vehicles, and based on the agreement that we have with them, of course, it is for them to reduce the prices for the general public so that the effect of the fuel subsidy that was taken off the burden will be reduced on Nigerians.

“So I am here representing the project director to announce to you that here in Area 1, as of today, Area 1 Park, in conjunction with the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, we have come here to start enforcing the price reduction. This is why we are here. We have converted over 50 per cent of vehicles in Abuja to CNG, and we are working tirelessly to increase CNG availability across the country.”

The new fares range from N240 to N900, depending on the route.

According to him, from Area One to Gwagwalada, which used to cost N1,500 with petrol, reduced to N900, while Area One to Bwari Dutse which was also N1,500, was reduced to N900. Area One to Kuje, which was N1,200, was reduced to N720.

He added that Area One to Galadimawa, which was N500, was reduced to N300.

The PCNGI boss said Area 1 to Mpape, which used to be N1,000, was reduced to N600. Area one to Zuba, according to him, was 1,500, and that was also reduced to N900.

He said Area One to Lugbe, which was N700, was reduced to N420, while the Jabi route, which was N720, was reduced to N420.

Area One to Wuse, he said, was reduced from N420 to N240 while Area One to Nyanya was reduced from N700 to N420.

He also said Area 1 to Kabusa N800 was reduced to N480, while the Apo route was reduced from N500 to N300.

On the modalities to ensure compliance with the new fares, he said there was a task force comprising members of the PCNGI and NURTW in place to enforce compliance with the new price regime.

He added that CNG stickers and the new prices were on the vehicles for passengers’ information.

Passengers were advised to report defaulting drivers to the task force for sanctions.

“So at the moment, these are the reductions we have achieved at Area 1 park. The reduction project will continue. More cars have been converted and we move from here now.”

“We are going to go to Area 3 where we have also done the reduction of their prices. We are going to go to all other parks within Abuja and eventually the country,” he stated.

Similarly, the Secretary of the Garki Branch, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Ibrahim Jibril, said the union is in total support of the 40 per cent reduction.

“We are in support of the 40 per cent reduction. If you look at it now, you go to buy fuel, N20,000. And then you go to buy gas, N4,500. You will use the same volume, at the same time to work. At least you are even saving almost 75 per cent.”

He further commended the President for his efforts to reduce the suffering of Nigerians.

“The President has tried his best to see how he can reduce the sufferings of Nigerians in order to reduce the price of transportation,” he said.

To ensure compliance with the new fares, the union has put in place a task force to monitor and discipline errant drivers.

“We have put a task force in place to checkmate vehicles that are already being converted, so we can give a reduction in their prices,” the NURTW Secretary explained.

“As long as we are giving that benefit, we also want the members to enjoy it in order to make sure that Mr. President succeeds in this program that he has launched,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, the Commercial Coordinator of PICNG, Tosin, Coker, assured that the government is working hard to increase CNG availability across the country, with more stations coming online soon.

“We are working hard to make sure we get these stations up and running.”

“We are working tirelessly to make sure gas is available everywhere; we see the queues in all the stations here and a lot of MRUs that are coming in.”

“We have 10 stations across Abuja, and we know even in this coming month, we have at least two more coming on stream,” he said.

Metro

Edo Assembly Declares Okpebholo’s Projects Unprecedented

Published

13 hours ago

December 10, 2025

Editor

The Edo State House of Assembly has described projects embarked upon by Governor Monday Okpebholo as unprecedented in the history of Edo State.

Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Atu Osamwonyi, made the assertion when he led members of the legislature on a comprehensive oversight inspection of several ongoing infrastructural projects.

Other lawmakers on the oversight team included Hon. Addeh Isibor, Hon. Yekini Idaiye, and Hon. Ugabi Kingsley.

Hon. Osamwonyi, who spoke during an assessment tour of the Sapele Road Flyover, said the lawmakers were in the field to verify the progress of work and ensure that funds appropriated by the Assembly were being judiciously utilised.

According to him, the flyover represents a milestone for Benin City and reflects the governor’s commitment to infrastructural renewal.

He emphasised that unlike past administrations where funds were approved with no tangible results, the Okpebholo-led government had demonstrated transparency and visible delivery.

“In my entire life in Edo State, this flyover project is the first of its kind. We are here physically, and work is ongoing,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker added that the Assembly had earlier inspected the Ramat Park Flyover on Monday, noting similar levels of progress.

“This is the fifth site we have visited since yesterday. We are impressed with what we have seen so far, and as a House, we will stand by the governor to ensure he finishes strong,” he said.

At Ogheghe, Old Sapele Road and Ekae Road—where a 14-kilometre road and concrete drainage network is underway—Hon. Osamwonyi described the construction efforts as unprecedented, expressing astonishment at the level of work done within a short period.

He insisted that the legislature does not play politics with accountability and would speak the truth at all times.

“If Governor Okpebholo was not doing well, we would say it. But I stand here today to affirm that the funds appropriated are being used judiciously for the benefit of the people.l”, he noted.

He further remarked that despite limited financial resources, the governor had delivered projects many believed were impossible.

The Deputy Speaker recalled that several communities, particularly in Ogheghe, previously suffered from severe road degradation that made access impossible, even for motorcycles.

“But today we are standing here with joy. The governor has brought democracy to Edo in a way the people can feel,” he said.

According to him, contractors handling the projects confirmed that although the initial timeline was two years, work would likely be completed within one year and six months due to the speed of implementation.

“That tells you that Governor Okpebholo is not eating Edo people’s money,” he added.

Hon. Osamwonyi stressed that the Assembly would resist any attempt to derail the governor’s momentum.

“This is the continuity we want in Edo State. Anybody who wants to thwart the governor’s efforts, we will not agree,” he said.

The oversight team also visited the 5.86-kilometre road project linking Amagba and Obagie-N’Ebvuosa, where the engineer handling the project reported that 4.3 kilometres of drainage had already been completed.

Metro

Edo Final-year Student Dies In Sign-out Motorcade Crash

Published

18 hours ago

December 10, 2025

Editor

A yet-to-be-identified final-year student of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, has lost his life in a road crash after he and some other students embarked on a motorcade parade to celebrate the completion of their final examinations.

It was learnt on Tuesday from a Facebook user, Inside Edo, that the accident occurred on Monday shortly after the students finished their final examination.

Inside Edo disclosed that the vehicle had attempted to overtake another before losing control and ramming into a truck.

The post read, “A tragic accident has occurred at Ujoelen, close to the primary school, resulting in the death of a newly graduated student of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

“According to eyewitnesses, the crash happened during an attempted overtaking by one of the vehicles involved.

“The risky manoeuvre reportedly led to a loss of control, causing the fatal incident. Residents who were nearby rushed to the scene, but the victim could not be saved.”

Similarly, the News Agency of Nigeria reported that the students were said to have been driving recklessly before crashing into a stationary truck.

The deceased was said to be part of a convoy made up of fresh graduates of the university.

NAN reported, “He was reportedly part of a convoy of fresh graduates who took to the highway on Monday shortly after their signing-out activities.

“Witnesses said the group drove recklessly and failed to observe basic safety rules during the celebrations.

“The tragedy occurred when the deceased attempted to overtake a moving truck but collided with a stationary vehicle parked along the road.”

Efforts to get the reaction of the Edo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Cyril Mathew, proved abortive, as the official number available on the FRSC directory was not reachable at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, NAN reported that Mathew later confirmed the incident, adding that one person died while five others were injured in the crash.

“The students, after writing their last paper, took to the road in a convoy.

“In the process, one of them overtook another vehicle and rammed into a stationary truck,” NAN quoted Mathew as saying.

Metro

One Dies In Oyo Fire, Two Rescued

Published

19 hours ago

December 10, 2025

Editor

One person lost her life in a fire incident at Agbaakin Street, behind Testing Ground, Iwo Road, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday.

This was contained in a statement by the Chairman of the State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, in Ibadan, on Tuesday.

He said the fire resulted from a lighted charcoal cooking pot left unattended, which ignited nearby combustible materials.

Akinwande added that the firefighting operation was successfully carried out with the support of officers of the Federal Fire Service.

“The fire emergency was received at exactly 20:18 hours on Monday, December 8, 2025.

“On getting there, it was two rooms on the upper floor of a private residential building of 12 rooms engulfed by fire.

“One person (female) was recovered, while two persons (males) were rescued alive. The fire also affected only two rooms, and the whole building and other properties worth millions of naira were saved by the officers of the agency.

“The fire incident was a result of a lighted charcoal cooking pot left unattended, which ignited nearby combustible materials. The operation was jointly carried out with the Federal Fire Service, Ibadan Command,” he explained.

In a related development, a fire incident on Tuesday engulfed the Agric Business Development Agency at Total Garden in Ibadan.

A statement by the State Fire Service Chairman, Akinwande, said the agency received a telephone call through Mr Akinyinka reporting that fire had ravaged the place.

“The incident was reported at exactly 09:20hrs on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, through a telephone call by Mr Akinyinka (the General Manager, Oyo State Fire Services Agency) to the office, reporting a fire at the above-stated address.

“The officers, led by ACFS Oyeniyi Taofeek, swiftly mobilised and deployed to the scene. Upon arrival, it was discovered that electrical sparks from a solar inverter control board on the upper floor of the building resulted in the fire.

“The swift response and professional intervention of our officers prevented the situation from escalating into a fire disaster. The use of portable fire extinguishers was employed during the firefighting operation.

“No casualty was recorded, and properties worth millions of naira were saved by the fire service. The fire incident was a result of electrical sparks from the inverter system,” the statement read.

The chairman, therefore, advised the public to always use correct cables and other electrical materials for their installations.