₦airaland Forum

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has said that Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is crucial for the railway industry in Nigeria, offering several benefits, including a reduction in maintenance costs by up to 60–70 percent.

He disclosed this over the weekend during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NRC and the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG) Initiative.

The NRC MD explained that the collaboration would focus on a diesel retrofit programme, distribution of strategic Pi-CNG materials and equipment, intermodal shuttle service, retrofit training for various types of diesel engines, and the handover of buses and coaches—making the collaboration a cost-effective option.

He added that the environmental benefits of CNG are not limited to being a cleaner fuel with fewer greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants, but also include promoting and contributing to a more sustainable environment and improved air quality.

Opeifa stated that CNG would ensure energy security and stimulate economic growth by creating jobs and attracting investments in infrastructure and technology.

According to the NRC MD, *“Today, we take another critical step towards a sustainable future for our railway industry. This partnership between NRC and Pi-CNG marks a significant step towards a cleaner, more efficient rail transportation system in Nigeria.

“The rail sub-sector (the safest, most cost-effective means of transporting goods and passengers and with the least carbon footprint) has long relied on traditional fuels, but it is time for us to explore alternative options that benefit both our operations and the environment.

“Today, we strive to further reduce our carbon footprint by converting our locomotives and other diesel-powered equipment to CNG.”

Opeifa also noted that the NRC training centre at Tejuosho would be turned into a CNG conversion centre, adding that CNG conversion would be incorporated into the centre’s curriculum.

On his part, the Programme Director of Pi-CNG, Mr. Michael Oluwagbemi, said the cooperation with NRC would allow them to leverage NRC’s expertise in diesel engineering technology that powers their Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) systems.

Oluwagbemi added that the NRC had the most advanced experience that could help transform the haulage sector as Pi-CNG moves more trucks to CNG across the nation.

“This will not only reduce the cost of transporting goods and services across our country, including food and energy, but also enhance security and mass transportation. We will also rely on the NRC as we expand our platforms nationwide.

“We are expecting an influx of buses, tricycles, and kits from the Ministry of Finance any moment now as we move into Phase Two, where we will scale our impact to 250,000 vehicles from the current 50,000,”* he said.

He added that this historic event marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s journey toward a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable transportation future.

“This aligns with the vision of President Bola Tinubu that Nigeria should drive its economy and industrialisation with the cheaper fuel represented by gas, which is abundant across our country.

“A Renewed Hope for our citizenry is possible, and Pi-CNG is delivering on the President’s promise,”he said.

He also commended the leadership of NRC, led by Opeifa, for their shared vision and willingness to pioneer this transition alongside Pi-CNGI.

“We are confident that this model will inspire other stakeholders across the public and private sectors. Collaboration is key to our success, and what we are doing represents the best of such synergy,” he added.

Also, the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dr. Abimbola Akinajo, noted that LAMATA supports the CNG Initiative of President Bola Tinubu.

“We are excited by the pronouncement of Mr. President because we know that something good is coming for the transport industry.

“Transportation drives the economy; the sooner we get it right, the better for Nigeria,”* she said.

Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Sunday berated ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, over his latest comments against the Nigerian government.

Olayinka said Amaechi should be ashamed of himself for complaining after spending 23 years in government.

Posting on X, Olayinka recalled the number of years Amaechi has spent in government.

He wrote: “After spending 23 years in government, Rotimi Amaechi is still blaming the government.

“8 years as Speaker, 8 years as governor, and 7 years as Minister.

“Some people sha no get shame.

“Since 1999, Rotimi Amaechi has only been out of Govt for just TWO YEARS.

“Rotimi Amaechi said he is hungry, and you are supporting him because you don’t like those in govt now.”

His comment comes after the former minister disclosed that he and most Nigerians are hungry.

Speaking during the celebration of his 60th birthday in Abuja, Amaechi said the opposition coalition has the capacity to remove President Bola Tinubu from power.

Amaechi also claimed that Nigerian politicians quarrel over sharing of the country’s resources.
He said there are no ideas among Nigerian politicians, hence the fight over sharing of resources.

destinychildolu:
But if Peter Obi gateman or chef joins APC, there will be celebration in Tinubu's camp.

christejames:
What the Northerners are cooking for Tinubu go soon don before 2026

koladata:
Tell us the technology other than new road new embezzlement , I see no reason why they couldn't have repaired the exisiting road and add the new technology

Lanruze:
Some of the e-rats you think you are conversing with are heavily paid for falsehood peddling and saying crap online.

Just ignore them, the topic and subject of the article above was just an overview of the events in Zamfara and some parts of the North in two (2) years.

Propaganda and under-reporting does nobody any real good.

More Nigerians in Benue, Borno, Plateau and Adamawa have been displaced in the last six months than reported.

Recall that the NSA claimed that Banditry & Terrorism had been decimated with over 90% when indeed the Gov. of Borno cried out that Boko Haram has began a new offensive on the people of Gworza L.G and other Town in Borno taking over super-camps.

The e-rats are programmed to do their paymasters bidding . It's a pity indeed !

Yestogood:
Don't mind them.
They lie so much, they forget that this happened before our very eyes a few short years ago.

Xavi2019:
Why not take a trip to these places you claim to be do sage?

OneCandleAway:
Cho Cho Cho
Yarning dust

APC was the reason the whole insecurity crisis worsened. Ask shettima why he disregarded the circular warning that student should not write waec in the villages because it isn't safe. Which led to chibok kidnapping.

Eboofa:
Nigeria it rock bottom with APC Buhari.........Tinubu has no where to go but up! I have not seen any ground breaking Tinubu policy so far...

Xavi2019:
Why not take a trip to these places you claim to be do sage?

zeyt:
Whenever a major terrorist kingfin was kiled if you search carefully you find out they were eliminated by the ravil terrorist group. That is the same thing here. When will the troops get Turji and like. Nobody was serious about insecurity. The masses are left to suffer.

nedu666:
Rubbish was buhari your god whom you supported for 8 years not the one who turned a blind eye to bandits wrecking havoc. Meanwhile tru that 8 years you supported him and called him the best president. Today you are telling us stories of how tinubu is fighting insecurity left by the best president. I think you should drop that phone and look for tyre to roll

A resident of Bauchi State, Khamis Musa Darazo, has donated a ram to President Bola Tinubu as this year’s Eid-el-Kabir approaches to express his joy upon receiving news of the Kolmani Oil licence.

Recall that Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri announced that President Tinubu has granted regulatory approvals for the issuance of all critical licences required for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project.

Kolmani Integrated Development Project is a multibillion-dollar oil exploration initiative located between Bauchi and Gombe states.

Khamis, a long-time admirer of President Tinubu, once sacrificed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) allowance during the President’s campaign and even named his daughter after the President’s late mother.

Speaking to journalists on Friday in Bauchi, Khamis explained that the gesture was a reflection of his family’s deep respect and admiration for the President and his family.

Khamis emphasised that the donation symbolises his gratitude for the recently granted Kolmani Oil License, which he believes will bring economic growth and opportunities to Northern Nigeria and beyond.

“I am forever grateful to President Tinubu for this opportunity. The Kolmani Oil License will bring more business opportunities to the entire North and Nigeria at large, and I want to show my appreciation in the best way possible. Donating a Sallah ram to the President is my way of saying thank you,” he stated.

SarkinYarki:
96 percent debt ratio by who ? Was it not the same Buhari you supported for 8 years that put y'all in that situation...the only thing I commend about Tinubu is that he dey put debt after that he is a failure in all other aspects of governance

Brendaniel:
Is Tinubu's job only to share huge devalued allocations?

Winnin009:
Lol. Bro... no vex o but this thing about dem not being on ground... no talk am for where sensible people dey o.

They have a network. A network that works with other civil societies and the red Cross. When they partner with these other groups, they get the data they need, anywhere in the world.

Bro, dem dey lose staff for this their so called mumu work(red cross worker, un aid workers, journalists)... all dey collect but they still do it.

So, please don't insult them or show your ignorance by saying they just sit on their offices... they're not our government o bro.

ayusco85:
School the ignorant idiot. He just opens his mouth and spew rubbish

ChybuzzDD:
Go and sit down, ye ye

This æssl!ck!ng, sycöphant will believe this same Amnesty International if it reports about how IPOB massacres 10million people tomorrow.

Psoul:
But you will believe the same foreign body if they report that the government is doing wonderfully well even when they are not on ground to experience it.

To show how shallow, ignorant and biased you are, all these foreign bodies may not necessarily be on ground to get their facts. Same way you do not expect the president to be in everywhere to get information of things happening in his country and even in the diaspora.
So, stop disgracing yourself trying to make the report look untrue just because you want to defend the government that do not care about u.

chosen6:
Very detailed report by Amnesty International showing that they did a comprehensive investigation on the subject before reporting unlike the DHQ that is just defending the indefensible.

JuanDeDios:
How is it AI's job to highlight the army's successes? Their job is to highlight rights violations.

SarkinYarki:
I would rather lose 10 billion dollars a year than lose150bn Dollars in Gross domestic product..your useless govt could have worked a plan with Dangote to ease out fuel importation but rather your boss in a bid to quickly empower Oando went and increased fuel price to the advantage of his import cronies and at the same time fight domestic production at Dangote till date ..

If you have any valid brain cell in that your head you will know that the govt is still even paying subsidy to the import cabal , infact it's on record that subsidy was paid even upto November 2024

The Rivers State Government has debunked reports that Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has withdrawn from its project sites in the state, describing the claims as false and misleading.
The denial follows a viral publication that alleged that the construction firm had begun pulling out of Rivers State due to unpaid contract fees by the state government.

In a statement signed by the Senior Special Adviser – Media, Rivers State Government, Hector Igbikiowubo, and made available to newsmen on Friday, the state government dismissed the publication as “malicious” and “a deliberate misrepresentation of facts.”

The statement read, “The Rivers State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Vice Admiral (Rtd), Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, strongly condemns the misleading and malicious publication titled ‘Julius Berger withdraws from Rivers’ project sites.

“The report, which falsely claims that Julius Berger Nigeria PLC has begun withdrawing its services from project sites in Rivers State due to alleged shortfalls in payments by the government, is a deliberate misrepresentation of facts and a calculated attempt to tarnish the reputation of the administration”.

Continuing it said, “Nothing could be farther from the truth. The Rivers State Government has consistently and dutifully met all its contractual obligations to contractors, including Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, which has received all payments due since the declaration of Emergency Rule in the state.”

Addressing the variation request, the statement revealed that Julius Berger had demanded an additional ₦171.76 bn an 87.77 per cent increase on top of the original ₦195.7 bn contract sum for the Ring Road project and if granted, would push the total cost to ₦367.45 bn.

“The real motive behind misinformation, this baseless report is nothing more than a campaign of calumny orchestrated after failed attempts to pressure the Rivers State Government into approving an exorbitant and unjustified variation request for the ongoing Ring Road project.

“The facts are as follows: the original contract sum for the Ring Road project was N195,695,980,239.61 bn,

“Julius Berger submitted a variation request demanding an additional N171,755,448,105.05 billion, representing an 87.77 per cent increase in project cost. If approved, this would raise the total project cost to a staggering N367,451,428,344.66 bn.

“It is important to note that in an attempt to forestall such unreasonable claims and protect the State from such arbitrary variation requests, the Rivers State Government at the commencement of the project took a facility from a bank and paid a 77 per cent advance payment in the sum of N150,000,000,000.00 to Julius Berger”, the statement added.