The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) has officially opened a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle pilot conversion centre in Lekki-Epe, Lagos state, as part of the federal government’s efforts to mitigate the effects of petrol subsidy removal.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking at the inauguration of the FEMADAC station, the CEO of PCNGI, Micheal Oluwagbemi, emphasised that the CNG centre will contribute to a more environmentally sustainable and economically viable future for Nigeria.
“Today, as we officially open the Lagos Conversion Centre, we go beyond the inauguration of a facility; we extend a hand to a greener, more sustainable, and affordable future,” Oluwagbemi said.
“We are not just changing how we fuel our vehicles; we are changing lives, one job at a time.
“The commissioning of the first of Lagos PCNGI Pilot Conversion Centres is historic, as it is the first of many such facilities planned under the PCNGI initiative.”
The initiative involves converting vehicles from Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to CNG Bifuel, making transportation cheaper and more eco-friendly. The government plans to establish over 1,000 such centres nationwide, creating jobs and promoting cleaner energy choices.
The conversion centre, he said, was not only a symbol of Nigeria’s dedication to environmental responsibility but also a beacon of hope for its citizens.
He said the conversion of vehicles to CNG is not just a transition to cleaner energy; it is a promise to generate employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth.
“More than 1,000 of such centres are planned nationwide in the next few years, with 55,000 conversions planned under the Palliative Program that have kicked off, designed to reduce the cost of transportation, especially mass transit for poor Nigerians,” Oluwagbemi said.
“This works by collaborating with private sector is to expand the conversion centre network of Nigeria from seven to at least 70, while creating over 2,000 jobs converting vehicles from PMS to CNG Bifuel that runs cheaper, cleaner and better.
“By embracing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) technology, the initiative addresses the twin challenges of sustainability and fiscal responsibility, which have become integral in the modern world.
“This initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to easing the impact of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians by reducing energy costs”
On Friday, the Federal Government had flagged off the CNG initiative, waiving value-added tax (VAT) on CNG bus purchases.
