By Salif Atojoko

The Federal Government is increasing investments and deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure across the country with over 100,000 vehicles already converted from petrol to CNG.

Mr Michael Oluwagbemi, Project Director/CEO, Presidential CNG Initiative, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

“To date, over 100,000 vehicles have been converted from petrol to CNG/bi-fuel-powered, and more conversion centres are being established across the country.

“In addition, investors are ramping up the development and deployment of CNG infrastructure, with over 200 million dollars already invested across the value chain.

“Thousands of new jobs and economic opportunities are opening up along the line,” he said.

Oluwagbemi stated that the number of conversion centres had risen from seven in 2023 to more than 140 across the country, and not 50 centres as claimed by The Punch in a recent editorial.

“In addition, more than 2,000 Nigerians have been employed in these conversion centres, with more jobs in the offing as CNG penetration ratchets up.

“In the past year, the private sector invested over N2 billion to establish these conversion centres, and another N6 to N10 billion will go into setting up more centres to meet the targeted 1,000 centres required to transform the nation’s energy dynamics,” he said.

He explained that under the president’s Conversion Incentive Programme, conversion was totally free for commercial vehicle operators.

“The programme seeks to convert one million commercial vehicles to CNG/bi-fuel in the next three years.

“This is verifiable information as the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), whose members have benefitted recently issued statements acknowledging this fact,” he said.

He said, “conversion explosion” mentioned in an editorial by The Punch on Oct. 31, happened because of substandard, uncertified, and poorly fabricated CNG cylinders, which exploded during an attempt to refill (not convert) at a station.

“It is equally important to reiterate that CNG is safe and cleaner to use. It is lighter and eight times less explosive than diesel and eighteen times less explosive than petrol.

“It is also more readily available and a more sustainable alternative for Nigeria’s energy security,” he said.

He said with one million vehicles running on CNG, overall demand annually would be 220 million standard cubic feet of gas a day, or 2.75 per cent of the current daily gas production, of which only 16 per cent is consumed locally.

According to Oluwagbemi, CNG distribution is also picking up with 75 new stations under construction across the country, and additional containerised and mobile refuelling units are being set up by the private sector working closely with regulators.

He said over 175 million dollars had been invested CNG stations in the past one year, with 65 new licences issued.

He also said CNG conversion kits were suitable for older vehicles.

“The experience in Egypt, India, and Iran shows that old vehicles operate better and more efficiently on CNG than they will on petrol.

“Open loop non-sequential conversion kits exist for aged vehicles, and the PCNGI has succeeded in Lagos in fitting several old yellow buses with the kits – with videos of the beneficiaries to show,” he said.

He stated that the claim that the government was not leading by example on CNG was false.

“On the contrary, the conversion programme started with government institutions like the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police – through the Police Trust Fund.

“The programme has now expanded to other MDAs like the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, the Ministry of Finance, and even the Federal Inland Revenue Service, as well as the PCNGI leadership team,” he said.

According to him, more MDAs are signing up to the use of CNG for their vehicles.

“In addition, the federal government had already issued clear directives that only CNG-enabled vehicles should be purchased by government agencies.

“President Tinubu also directed that only such vehicles are to be approved by the Federal Executive Council,” said.

Oluwagbemi said President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the Presidential CNG Initiative to provide a cheaper and cleaner energy source for Nigerians.

He said it was a response to the high cost of petrol and the attendant rise in the cost of transportation, following the removal of fuel subsidy.

According to him, since the inauguration, the response has been positive as Nigerians are embracing and converting their petrol-powered vehicles to CNG-enabled vehicles – with over 60 per cent reduction in the amount of money they spend on fuel. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru