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The Federal Government has pledged to intensify efforts to promote compressed natural gas (CNG) as a cheaper alternative fuel for transportation, with a renewed focus on accelerating the rollout of one million CNG-powered vehicles across the country.
Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has tasked the leadership of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV) and the Decade of Gas (DoGas) Secretariat to focus on critical interventions, step up investments, expand CNG infrastructure and strengthen programmes to drive nationwide adoption.
Ekpo, in a statement by his Spokesperson, Louis Ibah, gave the directive over the weekend in Abuja while receiving progress updates from the two bodies, stressing the need to translate the Federal Government’s Auto CNG policy into tangible benefits for Nigerians in form of cheaper transport fares.
He said the drive had become imperative following the removal of petrol subsidy and the need to provide Nigerians with a more affordable and environmentally friendly alternative for transportation, in line with the aspirations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Minister noted that Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources presented an opportunity to lower transportation costs, deepen domestic gas utilisation and stimulate economic growth.
He emphasised the need for sustained investments in refuelling infrastructure, vehicle conversions and other critical components required to accelerate CNG adoption.
Ekpo commended the leadership of Pi-CNG & EV for the progress recorded under its current management and assured the initiative of the government’s continued support in achieving its objectives, including the expansion of CNG use across the country.
He, also, highlighted the importance of growing domestic gas consumption, noting that supply had risen above two billion cubic feet per day for the first time in Nigeria history.
“Nigeria is a gas nation with a gas reserves index of over 80 years, and that is why we are talking about the Decade(s) of Gas.
“It is important that we listen to the directive of Mr. President to make transportation cheaper via CNG. We will continue to give you all the backing, to provide the necessary assistance to make sure we drive this project to a logical conclusion,” he said.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman/CEO of Pi-CNG & EV, Ismaeel Ahmed, said the initiative would step up investments and programmes to expand CNG infrastructure and increase vehicle conversions nationwide and lead to cheaper transport fares for millions of Nigerians.
Ahmed explained that the joint industry market study completed by the decade of gas secretariat provides a framework for accelerating rollout, tracking progress, identifying gaps and strengthening implementation efforts to accelerate the adoption of CNG as a transportation fuel.
Also, Coordinator of the Decade of Gas Secretariat, Ed Ubong, described CNG as a key component of Nigeria’s energy transition and assured continued support for the presidential initiative and efforts to increase domestic and export gas utilisation across the country for the benefits of Nigerians as well as investors.
