President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI).
Gatekeepers News reports that this was revealed in a statement by Special Adviser to the President,(Media & Publicity), Ajuri Ngelale on Friday.
In the statement, Ngelale emphasised that the initiative was in furtherance to President Tinubu’s commitment to easing the impact of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians by reducing energy costs
The PNCGI aims to introduce more than 11,500 new CNG-enabled vehicles and 55,000 CNG conversion kits for current PMS-dependent vehicles. This initiative also aligns with the presidential directive by strengthening domestic manufacturing, local assembly, and generating a significant number of jobs.
The PCNGI will also create new opportunities for technical skill development and employment for Nigerians through the “provision of workshops across all geopolitical zones and states with essential kits and comprehensive training for newly employed staff ”
Also, workshops will be established nationwide to ensure access to the utilization of CNG technology and CNG-related expertise, thereby facilitating smoother transitions for vehicle owners at the wider benefit of the Nigerian economy.
The PNCGI’s objectives include:
— The development of new stakeholder-operated Intrastate Mass Transit systems built on CNG.
— Support for states to onboard new CNG buses as part of their Intrastate Mass Transit network (wholesale conversion, retro-fitting and new purchase).
— The deployment of CNG buses through existing Private Mass Transit operators, including new financing programmes for operators through an innovative asset finance programme.
— Incentivize investors to invest in CNG processing, distribution and utilization by providing incentives for enhanced investment and partnership.
— Deliver training and technology transfer to support the After-Sales Services and maintenance sub-industry to create sustainable jobs.
Ngelale added that President Tinubu’s emphasis on domestically assembling vehicles powered by CNG will drive economic growth, foster job creation, and enhance the nation’s capacity in automotive manufacturing.
The initiative further highlights this administration’s dedication to promoting a greener environment by decreasing carbon emissions and advancing energy security through the use of domestic natural gas resources
