FG plans 3 CNG stations, 100 sites

The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mallam Mele Kyari, has announced that the drive to make Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) accessible to Nigerians has begun and totally irreversible.

Speaking on Thursday at the simultaneous commissioning of 12 CNG stations in Abuja and Lagos, Kyari revealed that NNPC Ltd, along with its partners, will also build three Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) stations in Ajaokuta.

“There is simply no turning back on delivering CNG for all Nigerians. It is the right thing to do. Is it late? Yes, but we will make progress and cover the gap to ensure that the volatility we see with Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) does not affect gas,” Kyari stated.

Kyari praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support in driving domestic gas utilization, which aims to provide Nigerians with cleaner and more affordable energy sources. He assured that NNPC Ltd would continue to deliver strategic gas projects in line with the Presidential CNG Initiative, thereby enhancing the nation’s energy security.

Mr. Huub Stokman, Managing Director of NNPC Retail Limited, added that over the next year, NNPC Retail plans to launch more than 100 CNG sites, including 16 NNPC Gas Marketing and NIPCO Gas JV sites. “CNG offers Nigeria an affordable alternative to existing fuel products. It will be about 40 per cent cheaper than petrol, and with continued investments, it will become a significant part of our energy mix,” Stokman said.

Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), remarked that the commissioning of the stations would not only provide economic benefits by creating jobs and stimulating local economies but also significantly contribute to Nigeria’s goals of reducing emissions and combating climate change.

Pius Akinyelure, Chairman of the NNPC Board of Directors, emphasized that increased CNG adoption would yield economic benefits by reducing fuel costs for consumers and businesses.

Following the removal of the fuel subsidy and the declaration of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiatives, NNPC Limited has led the deployment of Auto-CNG Stations across Nigeria.

NNPC Gas Marketing Limited, a subsidiary of NNPC Limited, in partnership with NIPCO Gas Limited, has already developed an Auto-CNG rollout plan for the construction of 35 CNG stations across various geographical zones of Nigeria.