The ministry of transportation says it will save over 60 percent of its diesel expenses on trains from a retrofitting process that involves converting locomotive engines to using a combination of diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Sa’id Alkali, minister of transportation, spoke in Abuja on September 19 during a tour of Idu and Kubwa train stations.

“We are focused on reducing operational costs. By using a fuel mix where 70% is LNG and only 30% is diesel, the cost of running the locomotives will be significantly reduced by about 60%,” Alkali said.

The minister said the initiative represents a significant milestone in the conversion of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) locomotives, which he said would lead to substantial savings in operating costs for commercial trains.

He said the retrofitting process will replace the corporation’s 100 percent reliance on diesel.

“By incorporating LNG into the fuel mix, we are drastically cutting costs, and we are committed to ensuring this is fully implemented across the country,” Alkali added.

While the retrofitting is expected to greatly reduce fuel expenses, the minister ruled out the possibility of the locomotives running entirely on LNG.

“These are heavy-duty engines, and while smaller engines like generators or cars can be converted to run fully on LNG or CNG, it is technically impossible to do so with diesel-built locomotive,” he said.

Alkali said once all the locomotives are retrofitted, rail transportation costs would drop significantly.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it has not reintroduced the cybersecurity levy that was previously suspended.

On May 6, the apex bank directed all commercial, merchant, non-interest and payment service banks, mobile money operators, and payment service providers to charge a 0.5 percent cybersecurity levy on electronic transfers.

The CBN later withdrew the directive on May 20, essentially suspending the proposed cybersecurity levy on electronic transfers.

However, reports had claimed that the apex bank reinstated the levy, quoting the CBN’s “Monetary, Credit, Foreign Trade, and Exchange Policy Guidelines for the Fiscal Years 2024-2025”.

In a statement on Friday, the apex bank said the guideline was issued before December 31, 2023, adding that its stance on the suspension has not been revised.

“Some recent media publications referencing aspects of the Guidelines refer to policy positions of the Bank issued prior to 31st December 2023, which have changed in the light of revisions and updates in 2024,” the CBN said.

“One example is the Cyber Security Levy, which was suspended in May 2024, superseding the circular reported in the Guidelines.”

CBN said the guidelines “must primarily” be viewed as a record of policies, circulars and directives issued “up to the end of 2023”.

The bank said they are not new directives and should not be reported as such, adding that it would continue to provide clear monetary policy direction and advice for the overall benefit of the economy.

Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, has inaugurated the consumer protection portal of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The portal, launched in Lagos on Thursday, aims to provide easy access for travellers to lodge complaints online and track the resolution process.

Speaking at the launch, Keyamo directed the NCAA to address airline ticket refunds owed to passengers by airlines within 24 hours.

He said many passengers have struggled to reclaim funds for flights booked from airlines that are currently not operating.

Keyamo, on April 24, had asked the NCAA to suspend the operations of Dana Air after one of its aircraft veered off the Lagos airport runway.

“I am not unaware of the complaints of people whose money has not been refunded by certain airlines that have stopped operations due to safety concerns,” Keyamo said.

“I receive a huge number of such complaints in my emails, text messages, and direct messages. I have been a lawyer of the federal republic for over 30 years before I was called to serve my fatherland. People find a way to send these complaints to me and that is why I receive some of these complaints directly.

“For the airlines that have not refunded passengers’ money, there must be a public statement by the NCAA by the end of Friday latest.

“Let the public know what is happening to that money. I know you have resolved that. Let’s not pretend as if we are not hearing anything about this. People bought tickets before the airlines ran into troubled waters. What happened to their money? What plans do you have to refund them? This is part of consumer protection.

“The NCAA should come out with a public statement to show what they are doing about resolving the issue.”

‘CONSUMER PROTECTION PORTAL TO ENSURE EFFICIENCY’

On protecting travellers, Keyamo said the portal is expected to streamline the complaints process and ensure efficiency in the aviation sector.

He commended the NCAA’s leadership, particularly its consumer protection directorate, for the initiative, noting that passenger satisfaction is crucial for the industry’s viability.

“The final thing that we must achieve in the sector is that the person boarding the aircraft must have good experience, must feel the change either in terms of prices, environment or experience. Everybody is working for that final consumer, including myself,” he said.

“Let it be clear that we are all consumer protection officers and it’s not only for those gentlemen and ladies in uniform.

“As a frequent flyer myself, I have seen firsthand, the rage of passengers who are either disappointed by delayed flights, cancellations or some ugly experiences on those flights. I have seen the rage and this is a means by which they can ventilate that rage.”

On his part, Chris Najomo, acting director-general of the NCAA, praised the initiative as a vital step in protecting the rights of aviation consumers in Nigeria.

“In today’s rapidly evolving marketplace, consumers face myriads of challenges. From being unaware of their rights to navigating complex regulations to addressing poor services or unfair practices,” Najomo said.

“Hence, the need for a robust system to protect and empower consumers has never been more critical.”