President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate nationwide deployment of 100,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion kits as part of measures to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices and reduce transportation costs in Nigeria.
Nairametrics The directive was disclosed by the Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), Ismaeel Ahmed, following a meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
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According to Ahmed, the rollout of the kits will begin within two to three weeks and will enable vehicle owners across the country to convert their petrol-powered engines to run on compressed natural gas.
The policy is part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to expand the use of alternative energy in the transport sector as petrol and diesel prices continue to rise.
The increase in global fuel prices has been linked to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have affected energy markets and transportation costs in Nigeria.
Ahmed explained that the conversion kits will be distributed through accredited conversion centres nationwide and will be accessible to various categories of transport operators, including private vehicle owners, taxi drivers, and tricycle operators.
The programme is expected to significantly lower the cost of transportation since CNG is cheaper and cleaner than petrol.
In addition to distributing the kits, the government is accelerating the development of supporting infrastructure to make gas-powered mobility viable nationwide.
Plans include the expansion of CNG refuelling stations and electric vehicle charging infrastructure across key transport corridors in the country.
Officials disclosed that about 77 CNG refuelling stations are currently under development, with some already operational in parts of the country.
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The government also intends to establish refuelling points along major transport routes such as Lokoja, Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria, Kano, and Maiduguri to support the transition to gas-powered transportation.
The CNG initiative forms a key component of Nigeria’s broader energy transition plan aimed at reducing dependence on petrol, lowering transport costs for commuters, and promoting cleaner energy in the country’s transport system.
Source: Nairametrics
