Nigeria: FG to cut diesel costs by over 60% with retrofitted train engines

The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to significantly reduce diesel costs by more than 60% successfully with retrofitted train locomotives to operate on a dual-fuel system. This breakthrough will contribute to more affordable train fares and a greener transportation system.

The Minister of Transportation, Said Alkali, expressed satisfaction with the test run of the retrofitted locomotives in a statement released by the ministry on Friday. “This achievement is a step towards reducing transportation costs and making train fares more affordable for the general public,” Alkali said.

At the Amina J. Mohammed Train Station in Abuja, the minister led a demonstration of the upgraded locomotive’s capabilities along the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor. The locomotives now run on a mix of 70% Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and 30% diesel, marking a significant step towards reducing operational expenses and promoting cleaner energy use within Nigeria’s rail system.

Also Read: South Sudan’s Filda Bandas breaking barriers as a female footballer

Alkali explained that before the retrofitting, the locomotives operated solely on diesel. With the new system, the majority of their fuel consumption now comes from LNG, with diesel making up just 30%. He also acknowledged that a 100% LNG conversion is not technically feasible due to the locomotives’ heavy-duty engines, originally designed for diesel.

“It is not technically possible to convert it to run 100% on LNG,” Alkali explained.

The minister further outlined plans to expand this initiative across the national rail network, noting that regulatory reviews are needed before full implementation. “We will now write to the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission to allow them to assess the submission. This will enable the ministry to approach the Federal Executive Council for approval,” Alkali added.

Samuel Uko, Managing Director of De-Sadel Consortium, praised the development, highlighting that this was 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 stated.

This retrofitting is expected to not only reduce fuel costs but also contribute to Nigeria’s broader goals of reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable energy in its transport infrastructure.