The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas initiative is providing free conversion kits and installation for commercial drivers with the first 50 vehicles.1
By Ola Kay
The Federal Government has commenced the free conversion of petrol-powered commercial vehicles to work on Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, both in Oyo and Kaduna states.
In Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, about 100 commercial vehicles were converted from petrol to CNG at three different locations, including Mobil filling station, Ibadan-Lagos expressway; Automation Auto Gas, plot 2, block 7, Podo Industrial village; and Ajibode Retail outlet, on UI-Ojoo road, all within Ibadan metropolis, on Saturday.
The Business Development Executive, BDE of the Presidential CNG, Louisa Afu, stated during the event that the distribution of conversation kits was part of the government’s initiatives to alleviate the biting effects fuel subsidy and in order to promote cleaner energy.
According to the BDE, the free conversion being carried out was inte to benefit quite a number of vehicle owners in Ibadan and its environs, that will in turn lead to reduction in their fuel costs but also contribute to a cleaner environment.
Afu assured Nigerians that the exercise would be spread to other parts of Nigeria, as part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment towards promoting sustainable energy solutions.
She stated that, “We are here on behalf of the President to hand over 150 conversion kits and cylinders, these kits are to be used commercial vehicles, this is one of the ways the President has said he feels the pains of Nigerians.
“CNG is the proper and better option. Gas is cheaper, sustainable and safer. Nigeria is a gas country because we have more gas than oil. Gas is more sustainable. We have refilling stations in Ibadan, and more of them are still being built. Every vehicle from 1996 till date can be converted from petrol to CNG.”
Also, the Vice Chairman and Treasurer of the Park Management System in the state, Ademola Adeoye and Kamorudeen Idowu, respectively commended President Tinubu for the initiative and described it as a welcome development in the transportation sector.
“I converted my car two months ago. It is the best way to go, I used to spend between N200,000 to N250,000 monthly on petrol, but now that I’ve converted to CNG, I now spend between N25,000 to N26,000 monthly,” a CNG user who preferred to remain anonymous stated.
Similarly, in Kaduna, the Federal Government launched an initiative to convert 50 vehicles to run on Compressed Natural Gas in Zaria, as part of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative.
Team Lead for the CNG conversion initiative at the the National Institute for Transport Technology Centre, Dauda Suleiman, made this known during the pre-conversion tests for 50 vehicles belonging to commercial transport union members in Zaria, Kaduna State on Saturday.
He listed the beneficiaries to include members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers of Nigeria, National Association of Transport Owners, and Association of Taxis among others, Suleiman explained that the removal of subsidy on petrol and the government’s emphasis on CNG was due to its abundance and lower cost.
He said: “A kilogram of CNG goes for N230 in Abuja and N455 in Kaduna, making it cheaper than petrol. Additionally, CNG covers more distance than petrol, making it a cost-effective option.
“The removal of subsidy on petrol and the government’s emphasis on CNG is due to its abundance and lower cost.”
Sulaiman added that the cost of conversion differs according to location and availability of kits.
He noted that currently, CNG availability was limited in Kaduna, with only one refilling station available while expressing confidence that government would establish more CNG stations across the country.
On maintenance and durability concerns, Suleiman emphasised that CNG was 90 per cent maintenance-free, as it only requires minimal maintenance beyond regular vehicle maintenance, in addition to training programmes for mechanics to address any concerns embedded in the plans.
He explained that, “CNG is the future of Nigeria’s transportation sector. We are committed to making this initiative a success and ensuring that Nigerians benefit from the reduced fuel costs and increased efficiency that CNG offers.
“CNG is not just a fuel, it’s a game-changer. We are proud to be part of this initiative and look forward to seeing its impact on Nigeria’s transportation sector.”
At the launch of the initiative in Benin on Saturday and the signing of agreements with various partners, the Head of Commercial at the Presidential CNG Initiative, Tosin Coker, said the initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to mitigate the sufferings posed by the continuous increase in the price of petrol.
He said the project is targeting one million vehicles across the country and that the conversion would be at no cost to the owner of the vehicle.
“The initiative which was launched in five other states is part of President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to mitigate the sufferings posed by the continuous increase in the price of petrol.
“Mr President has directed that we incentivize all commercial vehicles in the country, we have a target to convert a million vehicles across the nation in partnership with the transport associations; they can come to Pi-CNG partners’ conversion centres and have their vehicles converted at no cost to them including the cost of conversion.
“This is a very laudable policy and initiative directive by the president. The idea is that as the government is making this available it will reduce the cost of petrol, the cost of transportation and they can pass those savings on to the masses.”
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