FRSC: CNG, Electric Vehicle Initiative Driving Investments, Job Creation
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has said that the Federal Government’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric Vehicle (EV) initiative is attracting investments into Nigeria’s automotive sector while creating employment opportunities for thousands of youths.
Mohammed made the remarks at the Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU), organised in collaboration with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), in Lagos. He commended President Bola Tinubu for driving the initiative, noting that it has positioned Nigeria to benefit from the global transition to cleaner and more sustainable transportation.
According to him, the programme aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 on climate action by promoting green energy and cleaner transport systems.
He said the policy has encouraged investors to establish assembly plants for electric and CNG-powered vehicles, as well as firms producing CNG cylinders, conversion kits and other related technologies.
Mohammed also expressed optimism that major road infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, would complement the clean transport initiative and support Nigeria’s efforts to achieve SDG 11.2, which seeks to provide safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems by 2030.
He described the initiative as a major economic opportunity capable of reducing unemployment through increased investments and job creation across the automotive value chain.
The FRSC boss stressed that reducing road crashes and fatalities should not be the sole responsibility of the corps, urging governments at all levels, traditional rulers, community leaders, motorists and passengers to play active roles in promoting road safety.
He disclosed that the FRSC has expanded its public enlightenment campaigns beyond motor parks to grassroots communities through town hall meetings aimed at encouraging safer road use.
Mohammed also expressed concern over the continued practice of transporting passengers alongside goods and livestock in some parts of northern Nigeria, attributing the trend to low literacy levels and inadequate public awareness.
He urged state and local governments to intensify road safety education while calling on community leaders to support efforts to discourage unsafe transport practices.
He further appealed to journalists to sustain public awareness campaigns and promote accurate reporting to help Nigeria achieve its target of reducing road traffic crashes, fatalities and injuries by 50 per cent by 2030.
The Corps Marshal also lamented the increasing medical costs incurred by the FRSC in treating officers knocked down by reckless motorists while on duty, noting that several personnel have also lost their lives in such incidents.
He assured that the corps would continue to strengthen technology-driven operations, professionalism, staff development, and collaboration with stakeholders in pursuit of safer roads across the country.
