Follow Us on Google
- Targets Nigeria Becoming African Hub in Global Electric Vehicle Revolution
- As agency CEO seeks to convert all vehicles in presidential, NASS, others fleet to CNG
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Friday expressed confidence that Nigeria has the potential to become the African hub in the global electric vehicle revolution.
He made the declaration at the inauguration of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Conversion, Filling, Reverse Engineering and Training Centre in Utako, Abuja.
The NASENI-Portland CNG Conversion and Training Centre, a partnership between NASENI and Portland Gas Limited, is a state-of-the-art facility for the conversion of fossil fuel vehicles to CNG, a cleaner and more cost-effective alternative.
The centre equipped with the latest technology and staffed by highly trained professionals to ensure efficient and safe conversions, is aimed at building local capacity in CNG technology.
It offers comprehensive training programmes for technicians, engineers, and other stakeholders, fostering domestication of expertise in CNG systems and promoting the adoption of green energy solutions across the nation.
Represented by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu highlighted that Nigeria’s abundant deposits of lithium ore, a key mineral in the development of electric vehicles and batteries, make it an ideal location for this revolution.
He stressed that his administration is focused on the full range of energy options for powering the Nigerian transport sector, including electric vehicles, and that NASENI is leading efforts to develop and build lithium batteries in Nigeria, in partnership with foreign partners.
He reiterated his administration’s vision to promote domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependency, believing that Nigeria has the potential to become a continental and global industrial and manufacturing giant. He praised NASENI’s role in the attainment of this vision, stating that the agency is a central player in Nigeria’s industrialization efforts.
President Tinubu concluded by emphasizing his administration’s commitment to transforming NASENI into a model of public sector excellence through public-private partnerships, stating that he will continue to provide oversight and leadership for the attainment of NASENI’s goals.
NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO), Khalil Halilu, earlier, explained that the facility in Utako is strategically located, as the district house’s transportation hub connecting the federal capital to the rest of the country.
He assured that the operation will be expanded to other parts of the country and that NASENI is building a recognizable national brand that will make itself felt in every Nigerian’s life through products that will bring down the cost of living, improve the quality of life, promote efficiency, and amplify national pride.
He said facility which was developed in partnership with Portland and KIA, demonstrates NASENI’s collaborative approach. He added that it can convert 15 cars every two hours, translating into an output of 2,700 conversions every month.
“Mr. President, by our calculations, if you have 10 of these centers in every state in Nigeria, including the FCT, we should be able to close our CNG gap in just one year. The reverse engineering that will be done here will depend as much as possible on locally sourced components. Our goal is always to minimize capital flight, conserve foreign exchange, grow the local production economy and create sustainable jobs and skills for Nigerians.
Halilu, made three significant offers to the President Tinubu, executive and legislative arms of government aim to promote the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and showcase NASENI’s capabilities.
Firstly, the NASENI boss requested the President’s approval to convert the entire fleet of vehicles in the State House, Senate, and House of Representatives to CNG. This move, he said is intended to demonstrate the agency’s capabilities in this area.
Secondly, NASENI offered to carry out CNG conversions for all ministries, departments, and agencies at costs. This initiative is aimed at promoting the use of CNG as a cleaner and more efficient alternative to traditional fuels.
Thirdly, NASENI made two specific offers to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory and members of the Senate and House of Representatives. He said, following the Federal Executive Council’s award of a contract for the provision of streetlights and solar-powered CNG backup generators on the Bill Clinton Drive road leading to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, he expressed NASENI’s willingness to provide its CNG generators for the lighting project as a test run. The agency hopes that if the test run is successful, the government will not only purchase NASENI’s CNG generators but also its streetlights, which are popular among senators and household members alike.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, highlighted the significance of the center, saying it’s a fulfillment of several promises made by the President.
According to him, the appointment of the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, a young person, represents the President’s commitment to giving opportunities to young people in governance. This, he noted, is a testament to the President’s dedication to empowering the youth.
Furthermore, the Minister recalled the President’s commitment to the Nigerian Labour Congress in October last year, where he promised to reduce the cost of transportation by investing in the CNG initiative. The federal government had approved an initial sum of N100 billion to purchase buses, set up conversion centers, and conversion kits to support the initiative. The NASENI centre is a key part of this effort, aiming to bring down the cost of transportation to the barest minimum.
The Minister also highlighted the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, which the centre is demonstrating. He commended the Executive Vice Chairman for challenging the government to convert its fleet to CNG, not just for the executive but also for members of the National Assembly at a subsidided cost.
The Minister concluded by emphasizing that the President is committed to keeping his promises and that the NASENI centre is an example of the federal government’s efforts to drive the nation’s prosperity. He urged all Nigerians to key into the government’s programs and policies to achieve this goal.
Also present was the founder of Portland Gas Ltd., Folajimi Mohammed, among other dignitaries
