The Katsina State branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), under the leadership of its chairman, Alhaji Musa Garba Yandoma, has held a special meeting aimed at strengthening unity among members and addressing internal challenges to enhance the welfare of drivers and the overall development of the state.
During the meeting, an enlightenment session was conducted on the modern use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative to petrol to reduce transportation costs and improve drivers’ economic well-being. The head of the implementing company in Katsina State, Engineer Al-Mustapha Sada Abdullahi, explained that for over fifty years, developed countries have been using CNG Gas due to its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. He noted that Governor Dikko Radda had earlier visited a major CNG company in Kaduna State to invite them to establish operations in Katsina, where the state government has already allocated land and construction work is ongoing.
Engineer Al-Mustapha further disclosed that the company is expected to begin operations before the end of November 2025. He assured that the gas conversion process for vehicles and trucks is safe and poses no technical problems, as drivers can still switch back to petrol when gas runs out. He emphasized that using CNG Gas saves over 60% of fuel expenses, citing that what costs ₦100,000 in petrol would only cost ₦30,000 to ₦40,000 in CNG.
Another expert, Engineer Shamsuddeen Kabir Iron Baba, described the initiative as highly beneficial, noting that their research confirmed that the use of CNG Gas would significantly ease the cost of living for many Nigerians. He stated that once the project takes off, several filling stations across the state will begin adopting the CNG system, urging stakeholders not to let Katsina lag behind in this modern innovation.
In his remarks, the Katsina NURTW Chairman, Alhaji Musa Garba Yandoma, commended the initiative as a timely innovation, stressing that the high cost of petrol has negatively affected the driving profession and transport business. He called on all drivers to continue praying for peace and progress in Katsina State and Nigeria at large. The event ended with a question-and-answer session, as several drivers sought clarification on the cost, process, and locations where the new CNG system would be introduced to benefit the public.