Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Delta State Government has made a passionate appeal to commercial tricycle operators, popularly known as Keke riders, to voluntarily reduce transport fares, arguing that the switch to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) has slashed their daily running costs by more than 50 per cent. The Commissioner for Transport, Onoriode Agofure, made the appeal on Monday, July 27, 2026, during an unscheduled street dialogue with Keke riders at the Shaffa CNG filling station in Warri, where he engaged operators directly rather than issuing directives from the government house in Asaba.
Agofure arrived at the CNG refill hub early, without a convoy or siren. To many riders pulling in to refuel, he looked like a station supervisor. Soon a circle formed around him. "How are you all doing?" he asked. "We are fine, no problem," the riders replied. "You are really benefiting," the Commissioner said. "You are buying gas cheap, but you are not reducing your fare for passengers." The riders responded: "That is true, we are benefiting. But we cannot just reduce the price. It will affect our colleagues who are still using petrol."
Agofure countered with figures, pressing the riders on the stark difference in their operating costs. "People are buying fuel at N1,400, but you are buying gas at N450. When you were using fuel, how much did you spend daily?" "Sometimes N16,000, at times N18,000," they answered. "And now?" "We spend about N6,000 to N7,000 to work the whole day," they said. "See the fat difference," Agofure noted. "And with gas, you will not be visiting the mechanic every time." "Yes oo. Our engine oil stays cleaner," one rider added. "Please consider reducing your fares. Let us try to change," the Commissioner appealed.
The riders, however, pushed back, explaining that they cannot unilaterally reduce fares without affecting their colleagues who are still using petrol. "We do show kindness sometimes," one rider responded. "When passengers say they don't have enough, we reduce it for them." At the end of the discussion, Agofure identified himself. "You see this CNG station? I was part of those who made it possible. We also have one in Asaba and it is working well. I am the Commissioner for Transport, Agofure." "Heyyyyyyy. Sir, is it you?" the riders chorused in surprise.
For Agofure, the objective was achieved not by orders from Asaba, but through direct engagement, coming down to their level. The dialogue aligns with the state government's plan to deploy 50 CNG buses for inter- and intra-city mass transit to help crash fares. However, the Commissioner said private operators already on CNG in Warri and Asaba should not wait for the government to lead by example. The encounter comes amid concerns over the Ministry's digitised traffic regulations enforcement, which some drivers have described as "extortion." Agofure defended the policy: "The biggest challenge we found is apathy to compliance. People drive with expired vehicle papers or flout traffic rules. We want to change that, but we are enforcing it with a human face." At Shaffa, there were no fines. Only a conversation.
The appeal by the Delta State Government reflects a broader push to pass the benefits of the CNG transition to commuters. The Federal Government and state governments have been promoting CNG as a cheaper and cleaner alternative to petrol following the removal of fuel subsidies. In Delta State, the government has inaugurated CNG filling stations in Asaba and Warri, and has partnered with private investors to deepen CNG utilisation. The affordability and efficiency of CNG are expected to translate to lower operating costs for commercial drivers, reduced fares for commuters over time, and improved profitability for logistics businesses. However, the government's appeal to Keke riders highlights the challenge of ensuring that savings from cheaper fuel are passed on to passengers, rather than being retained as higher profits by operators.
The street dialogue in Warri represents a novel approach to policy implementation, one that prioritises persuasion over coercion. By engaging directly with operators at a CNG station, Agofure demonstrated a willingness to listen to their concerns while also making a case for fare reduction. The riders' concerns about their petrol-using colleagues are legitimate, but the government's argument that CNG users should lead by example is equally compelling. As more CNG stations come online and more vehicles convert, the pressure on operators to reduce fares is likely to increase. For now, the government has made its case, and the ball is now in the court of the Keke riders to decide whether to share the savings with their passengers.
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