The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to significantly reduce diesel costs by more than 60% through a new initiative that retrofits train locomotives to operate on a dual-fuel system.
This development was revealed following a successful test run of the retrofitted locomotives, which now run on a mix of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and diesel.
The Minister of Transportation, Said Alkali, expressed his satisfaction with the progress made. “This achievement is a step towards reducing transportation costs and making train fares more affordable for the general public,” Alkali said in a statement released on Friday.
The test run took place at the Amina J. Mohammed Train Station, also known as Idu Train Station, in Abuja. The Minister led the demonstration, showcasing the new capabilities of the locomotives on the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor.
These newly retrofitted locomotives use 70% LNG and 30% diesel, a significant change from their previous reliance on 100% diesel. The initiative is a major step towards reducing the operational expenses of Nigeria’s rail transport system while promoting cleaner energy solutions.
Alkali explained the process behind the retrofitting, noting the transition from diesel to a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective fuel mix. “Before the modification, the locomotives ran entirely on diesel. Now, with LNG comprising 70% of the fuel, we are cutting costs significantly,” he said.
However, he also acknowledged the limitations of the technology. “It is not technically possible to convert the locomotives to run 100% on LNG due to the heavy-duty nature of the engine, which was originally designed to run on diesel,” Alkali explained.
The government plans to extend the retrofitting initiative to other parts of the national rail network. The minister highlighted that the current regulations governing rail transport would need to be reviewed before the project can be fully implemented. “We will now write to the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission to assess the submission. This will enable the ministry to approach the Federal Executive Council for approval,” Alkali said.
Samuel Uko, Managing Director of De-Sadel Consortium, the company involved in the retrofitting process, commended the government’s efforts. “This is the first locomotive in Africa to operate using LNG. Without the proactiveness of the ministry and the minister, this would never have been possible,” Uko said.
The retrofitting of locomotives marks a significant leap towards more sustainable and cost-effective transportation in Nigeria, with the government aiming to make train fares more affordable for Nigerians while cutting down on fuel expenses. This project is also part of broader efforts to incorporate cleaner energy sources into the country’s infrastructure.
As the Federal Government moves forward with the initiative, there is hope that the savings generated from the dual-fuel system will benefit both the transport sector and the general public, making rail travel more efficient and environmentally friendly.