Tinubu endorses the CNG initiative and aims for widespread adoption

The clearance, according to presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale, is a step towards the President’s goal of lowering energy costs for Nigerians in order to lessen the impact of the termination of gasoline subsidies.

The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) has been established with the president Bola Tinubu’s approval.

The clearance is part of the President’s commitment to decreasing energy prices for Nigerians in order to lessen the impact of the loss of gasoline subsidies, according to a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.

In accordance with the president’s directive, he claimed that the “transformative initiative” is poised to completely transform the nation’s transport system by focusing on the production of over 11,500 new CNG-compatible cars and 55,000 CNG conversion kits for existing PMS-dependent vehicles.

He pointed out that the initiative, which consists of a Comprehensive Adoption Strategy, will include the following as key points of emphasis with an initial focus on mass transit systems and student hubs in order to significantly reduce transit costs for the general populace in the short term: Empowering Workshops Programme with Nationwide Network of Workshops, Local Assembly, and Job Creation.

The PCNGI will facilitate the provision of workshops across all geopolitical zones and states with necessary kits and thorough training for newly hired staff, thus creating new opportunities for technical skill development and employment for Nigerians. This is in keeping with the PCNGI’s determination to ensure a seamless integration of CNG utility within the current midstream and downstream energy value chain to support its sustainability.

A smoother transition for vehicle owners would benefit the Nigerian economy overall, the statement said. “The new nationwide network of workshops, to be established through the initiative, would ensure widespread access and demand side utilisation of CNG technology and CNG-related expertise.

The development of new stakeholder-operated intrastate mass transit systems based on compressed natural gas and support for states to onboard new CNG buses as part of their intrastate mass transit network (wholesale conversion, retrofitting, and new purchase) are among the strategic objectives that will be achieved under the auspices of the PCNGI, it was also revealed.

Incentives for investors to invest in CNG processing, distribution, and utilisation through providing incentives for enhanced investment and partnership, delivery of training and technology transfer to support the After-Sales Services and maintenance sub-industry to support the creation of sustainable jobs, and deployment of CNG buses through existing Private Mass Transit operators are a few more.

Ngelale added that President Tinubu’s emphasis on building CNG-compatible automobiles domestically will foster economic development, generate job opportunities, and improve the country’s capacity for auto production.

The inauguration of this programme, he continued, also highlights the administration’s dedication to creating a cleaner environment by lowering carbon emissions and promoting energy security by utilising domestic natural gas resources.