By Eyo Nsima

Lafarge Africa Plc has launched reaffirmed a new set of 52 natural gas (LNG) fueled trucks, targeted at promoting clean energy and environment in Nigeria.

Speaking at the launch of the trucks at Lafarge’s Ewekoro plant, Mr. Khaled El Dokani, Country Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Africa Plc, stated that Lafarge Africa is a high-performance driven organization moving in the direction of sustainability which is at the core of its operational strategy.

Specifically, he said: “Lafarge Africa is fully aligned with our Group’s vision of building progress for people and the planet and the deployment of the natural gas trucks further takes the organization closer to the attainment of a net-zero carbon emission ambition and five other Sustainable Development Goals – SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 9 (industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on land) and SDG 17 (Partnership for the goals)”.

Similarly, Mr. Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, Chief Financial Officer at Lafarge Africa, also said: “This initiative is enabling sustainable distribution that is smarter and eco-friendly and it is our assurance that our products will reach the end-users in a safer manner. This initiative is a game-changer to our bottom line and an entire operation as our focus is to achieve a 28 percent reduction in overall operating cost as well as a significant reduction in air pollution (Exhaust gases) among others.”

However, Osaze Aghatise, Project Lead and Country Head, Logistics Operations, Lafarge Africa, added that “the 50 natural gas trucks’ launch is an important milestone in our logistics strategy of moving towards a greener and sustainable transportation. Our ambition is to inject additional natural gas trucks in the coming months while exploring other sustainable transportation initiatives.”