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The Lagos State Government has launched a N150bn Compressed Natural Gas Trucks Scheme, a Public-Private Partnership initiative aimed at providing truck operators with structured financing for the acquisition of brand-new CNG-powered trucks.
The scheme was unveiled on Wednesday by the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during a stakeholders’ engagement with maritime and logistics practitioners.
The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Transportation, Sola Giwa, stated that the new scheme was introduced to address long-standing concerns over the ageing and unsafe trucks that dominate Lagos’ major logistics corridors.
“One of the most pressing concerns raised over the years is the prevalence of ageing, poorly maintained, and sometimes unsafe trucks plying our major logistics corridors. Many of these trucks have exceeded their operational lifespan. Some have compromised braking systems, weakened frames, damaged tyres, and faulty lighting. They pose a danger to operators, other road users, and the goods being transported,” he said.
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Recall that the Lagos government has, in recent times, clamped down on rickety trucks and vehicles in the state. The government believes that these ageing vehicles are the major cause of many crashes in the state.
Meanwhile, the Regional Manager of United Bank for Africa, Ernest Omorege, explained that the N150bn investment will be released in three tranches by the bank to the truckers with the aid of the government.
“We are working with the government and with you, stakeholders sitting here today. The N150bn financing will be released in three tranches. We already released the first tranche, the reason for which we celebrate here today. The second will also be released, and the same for the last tranche.”
Giwa stressed that Lagos cannot aspire to be a globally competitive logistics hub while relying on obsolete heavy-duty vehicles. He added, “We must move away from the era in which heavy-duty transportation is conducted with rickety assets. Our government has therefore initiated a programme that will support truck owners to acquire brand-new vehicles through affordable and well-structured credit facilities.”
According to him, the government is already working with financial institutions and development partners to create loan products with flexible repayment structures, ensuring that truck fleet renewal becomes accessible to operators across all levels.
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The initiative is expected to help truckers modernise their fleets, reduce highway breakdowns, improve turnaround times, and enable compliance with international haulage standards.
The special adviser emphasised that the strength of the maritime and logistics industry lies in partnership. The governor also announced plans to expand digital infrastructure for logistics management, particularly along the Lekki corridor.
“The sector does not thrive through government efforts alone. It thrives through collaboration between the public and private sectors, between regulators and operators, between unions and enforcement agencies, and ultimately between truck owners and the truckers who operate these vehicles daily.
“The electronic call-up system on the Lekki corridor will continue to evolve with improved transparency and accountability. The intention is to eliminate disorder, lower operational costs, reduce journey times, and build a predictable flow for goods,” he said.
Speaking earlier at the event, the Commissioner for Transport, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, announced that the programme will make 2,000 CNG trucks available to truck operators across the state. Osiyemi described the initiative as a significant step toward repositioning Lagos’ logistics sector for safety, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.
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