By Seyi Odewale
The Federal Government, through the Presidential CNG Initiative (P-CNGi), has started distributing 10,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversation kits across the country.
On Friday, a representative of the P-CNGi team, Mr. Moses Onate, kicked off the distribution program from the NIPCO CNG warehouse in Ibafo, Ogun State. The move was designed to accelerate conversion by commercial and private vehicle owners.
Addressing journalists at the event, he said about 10,000 kits are to be moved to Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos, and Oyo states under the current initiative as part of an effort to alleviate the country’s energy crisis and fast-track the achievement of the automotive fuel transition program.
Onate expressed excitement at the level of enthusiasm by the public since the exercise commenced.
Speaking also, Austin Chinedu, an engineer with NIPCO Nwaodu, confirmed that the company’s warehouse is consistently stocked and that distribution has been going smoothly across the country.
Chinedu said the partnership between NipCo and the Agency has allowed the public to facilitate vehicle conversion opportunities.
It will be recalled that the P-CNGi had earlier signed an MoU with conversion workshop owners to convert one million commercial transport petrol vehicles to CNG by 2027.
The ceremony, held in Abuja, included partners such as NIPCO Gas, Portland Gas Ltd., Fix It 45, ABG Oil, and the Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (NITT).
Mr. Michael Oluwagbemi, CEO of P-CNGi, stated that the program aims for the highest global vehicle conversions. It has identified 2,000 workshops nationwide, of which 123 have already been selected.
Unionized commercial operators, including RTEAN, NATO, and NURTW, will start conversions at five FCT workshops and expand nationwide.
Ride-sharing operators like Bolt and Uber will receive a 50 percent discount on conversion equipment and free installation, with the government covering the rest and offering instalment payments.
Equally, NIPCO Gas Limited is partnering with the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited to expand the AutoCNG infrastructure nationwide by providing motorists with an alternative fuel option.
The Managing Director of NIPCO Gas, Nagendra Verma, while giving an update on the company’s efforts in the growing use of gas as vehicular fuel across the nation and its pipeline expansion projects in Lagos, said the partnership supports government fuel transition efforts.
According to him, the company has been at the forefront of AutoCNG development since its inception in 2009.
He noted that NIPCO Gas has 15 AutoCNG stations across Nigeria, stretching from Benin City to Ibafo in Ogun State and Kogi State.
Tinubu’s penultimate week enabled Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to be available for vehicles at N230 per litre, a strategic move to reduce fuel costs and provide Nigerians with an affordable alternative to petrol and diesel.
This initiative provides a cheaper and cleaner alternative to petrol, which currently sells for over N900 per litre.
It reflects the President’s commitment to lowering the cost of living and alleviating the pressures from fuel subsidy removal.
The PCNGi, which was launched under President Tinubu’s directive, is set to deliver wide-reaching benefits to Nigerians by significantly cutting fuel costs.
The introduction of CNG as a fuel source aligns with the government’s drive towards energy diversification.
It is designed to bring immediate relief to Nigerians, especially those who depend on transport for their livelihood.
As part of this initiative, President Tinubu has ordered 1 million free CNG conversion kits to be distributed to commercial vehicles that transport people, food, and goods.
These kits and free installation will be rolled out over the next 18 months, helping the transport sector quickly transition to CNG and take advantage of the significantly lower fuel prices. The distribution of these kits will be carried out in collaboration with key partners, ensuring nationwide accessibility.
In the initiative’s first phase, PCNGi will begin the immediate distribution of 10,000 free conversion kits.
These kits will be free to transport operators through key national transport associations, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Moove, UBER, and the Kaduna State Transport Authority (KSTA).
This will enable commercial drivers to switch vehicles to run on CNG, thus easing the cost burdens for transporters and the public.
PCNGi, in partnership with NIPCO Gas, supports the distribution process. The latter will manage the conversion process through a network of authorized conversion centers across Nigeria. These centers will provide the necessary infrastructure and services to ensure a smooth transition for vehicles switching to CNG.
By switching to CNG, Nigeria is embracing a cleaner, cheaper, and more sustainable fuel alternative that benefits the economy and the environment.
The government aims to distribute one million conversion kits by the end of 2025, ensuring Nigeria’s commercial transport sector is fully equipped to adopt CNG and reduce dependence on costly petrol and diesel.
This initiative reflects President Tinubu’s broader vision for a more resilient and economically sound Nigeria. It provides citizens with a practical solution to rising fuel costs while promoting sustainable energy practices.
