By SALISU SANI-IDRIS

The Federal Government is set to roll out 10,000 electric tricycles as part of its plan to ease public transportation costs across the country.

Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed this on Monday while hosting the ‘Transporters for Tinubu/Shettima 2027’ group at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said the tricycles would be distributed by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) in August for use across the Northeast and beyond.

Shettima added that President Bola Tinubu had approved the replication of the initiative in other regions through the various regional development commissions.

He noted that the administration’s priority was to shift Nigeria from a fragmented transport system to an integrated logistics chain.

“That is where ports, rail lines, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks, inland waterways, airports and feeder roads work together to support commerce, agriculture, industry and national integration,” he said.

Shettima explained that the government’s transport reform agenda was anchored on a nationwide CNG rollout, major port upgrades, and a stronger logistics chain to improve working conditions for transport workers across road, rail, maritime, aviation and pipeline operations.

He maintained that the Tinubu administration was determined to build a transport economy that lowers the cost of movement, reduces port delays, and connects farms to markets.

“We will strengthen national productivity and give transporters a more dignified place in the country’s development process.

“Our vision is an unbroken logistics chain, where a container moves from a deep-sea port to a rail wagon, then to a CNG-powered truck, and finally to a trader in Ariaria Market or Maiduguri, without delay or policy failure,” Shettima said.

He said the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative was proving that Nigeria could use its domestic gas resources to cut transportation costs.

“Especially for heavy-duty vehicles, as government continues to address technical and infrastructure concerns affecting smaller vehicles.

“We said CNG could cut fuel costs by over 60 per cent, and many called it fantasy. Today, heavy-duty trucks run on Nigerian gas, proving sceptics wrong and returning money to your pockets,” he stated.

Shettima disclosed that the administration was also pushing reforms in the maritime sector through the operationalisation of Lekki Deep Sea Port, development of the National Single Window, and renewed attention to inland waterways.

“Before this administration, clearing a container could become an encounter with frustration, corruption and decay. We promised to unlock the blue economy.

“Today, with Lekki Deep Sea Port operational, the National Single Window taking shape, and inland waterways receiving attention, our ports are preparing to compete with the world’s best,” he said.

He assured transporters that the government would continue to support policies that promote affordable fuel, insurable fleets, bankable contracts and dignified working conditions.

“This administration shall continue to stand with the Nigerian transporters. We shall build roads that last, rails that stretch across this great nation, ports that breathe, and airports that reflect our pride,” he said.

The Technical Adviser to the Vice President on Transportation, Logistics and Innovation, Prince Segun Obayendo, said the group constitutes a critical engine of Nigeria’s socio-economic survival.

Obayendo said the group had unanimously endorsed the Tinubu/Shettima ticket for the 2027 presidential election after consultations with executives of unions in air, maritime, rail and road transport.

The Secretary-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Mr Oniha Erazua, expressed gratitude for the recognition given to transport unions and said stakeholders were convinced the reforms would yield greater dividends if sustained. (NAN)

• Vice President Shettima hosts members of the Transporters for Tinubu/Shettima 2027 group at the Presidential Villa, Abuja

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