The Zonal Chairman of the Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria, Lagos State, Alhaji Azeez Istijabah, has issued a stern warning to members of the association regarding the dangers of smoking and overloading, especially in relation to the growing use of Compressed Natural Gas tricycles.
Istijabah, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos, emphasized the importance of educating members on the necessary precautionary measures to ensure safe operations.
NAN earlier reported that on October 16, the Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers introduced 3,000 new CNG-powered commercial tricycles worth N10.2 billion.
This move was aimed at addressing the ongoing transport challenges in the state.
While acknowledging the economic benefits of converting petrol-powered tricycles to CNG, Istijabah stressed the importance of adhering to safety protocols.
He cautioned operators against smoking or exposing the tricycles to open flames, warning that such actions could result in catastrophic incidents due to the highly inflammable nature of gas.
“There are economic advantages in converting petrol tricycles to gas,” Istijabah said. “However, operators must take essential precautionary measures to ensure safe operation. At the first instance, operators must not smoke or work in an environment with a naked flame. Smoking is highly prohibited while operating CNG tricycles because anything gas is highly inflammable.”
Additionally, Istijabah urged tricycle operators to refrain from overloading their vehicles, which he described as dangerous.
He advised that the number of passengers should not exceed three at a time, and discouraged placing passengers in the front seat of the tricycles.
“Operators should not allow passengers in the front seat,” Istijabah warned. “Overloading the tricycles is very dangerous. Operators need to be very careful and take cognisance of various precautionary measures.”
The association’s branch chairman in Abule-Egba, Mr. AbdulAkeem Sabiu, also commented on the development, expressing optimism that the switch to CNG-powered tricycles would boost the morale of transport operators.
Sabiu noted that many operators have been struggling with the high cost of petrol, and the government’s initiative to introduce cheaper CNG options would bring relief to both operators and passengers.
According to Sabiu, “The new cheaper CNG initiatives by the Federal Government will bring succour to transporters and commuters.”
He further urged both the federal and Lagos State governments to make CNG refilling more accessible for operators, especially in areas where access is restricted.
Sabiu pointed out that tricycles are currently banned from operating in Agidingbi, the location of a CNG refilling station, thereby limiting the ease with which operators can refuel.
“We want the government to create easy access for us to enable us to refill our tricycles with ease,” Sabiu added.
This call for accessible refilling stations highlights the growing need for infrastructural support as the transport sector embraces CNG-powered vehicles, a critical step toward reducing fuel costs and improving environmental sustainability in Lagos State.
