The Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria (TOOAN), Lagos State Chapter, has educated its users on safety precautions to be employed as they transition from petrol to compressed natural gas (CNG), News About Nigeria reports.
The Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Azeez Istijabah, disclosed this while speaking to newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos.
He noted that the association is educating its members about the benefits and dangers of using CNG.
According to him, this will help members take precautionary measures during their operations.
Recall that the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos State chapter, on October 16, unveiled its first 3,000 CNG commercial tricycles worth N10.2 billion to ease transport challenges.
Istijabah maintained that these precautionary measures must be put in place for the vehicles to operate effectively.
He cited smoking as part of the harmful practices of CNG.
The union leader also urged members to avoid overloading their tricycles, urging them to always maintain three passengers at a trip.
He stated, “Though there are economic advantages in converting petrol tricycles to gas, there are precautionary measures needed to be put in place to operate effectively.
“At first instance, operators must not smoke or operate in a naked fire environment.
“Smoking is highly prohibited while operating CNG tricycles because anything gas is highly inflammable.
“Operators should not allow passengers in the front seat.
“Overloading the tricycles is very dangerous, operators need to be very careful and take cognisance of various precautionary measures.”
Also speaking, the association’s branch chairman in Abule-Egba, Mr AbdulAkeem Sabiu, stated that the new development will improve and encourage the operators in the transport business.
According to him, many of the operators are lamenting the high cost of petrol.
