President Tinubu Approves CNG Initiative, Targets Nationwide Adoption

President Bola Tinubu has granted approved for the establishment of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI).

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the approval is in line with the President’s pledge to alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians by reducing energy costs.

He disclosed that the “transformative initiative” is poised to revolutionize the transportation landscape in the country, targeting over 11,500 new CNG-enabled vehicles and 55,000 CNG conversion kits for existing PMS-dependent vehicles, while simultaneously bolstering in-country manufacturing, local assembly and expansive job creation in line with the presidential directive.

He noted that the initiative, which comprises of a Comprehensive Adoption Strategy, will include the following, Empowering Workshops Programme w/ Nationwide Network of Workshops, Local Assembly and Job Creation 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 immediate term.

“Furthermore, in line 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, the PCNGI will facilitate the provision of workshops across all geopolitical zones and states with essential kits and comprehensive training for newly employed staff, thus creating new opportunities for technical skill development and employment for Nigerians.

“The new nationwide network of workshops, to be established through the initiative, would ensure widespread access and demand side utilization of CNG technology and CNG-related expertise, thereby facilitating smoother transitions for vehicle owners at the wider benefit of the Nigerian economy,” the statement noted.