The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGi) has inaugurated the Abuja CNG conversion and training centre to ensure the attainment of a sustainable energy future in the country.
The centre was commissioned at the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT).
In his remarks, Mr Zacch Adedeji, the Chairman, Presidential CNG Initiative Steering Committee, said CNG was the way to reduce the cost of transportation.
He said the government spends six billion dollars to import petroleum into the country annually.
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He added that Nigeria was “Using our dollars and just creating the mess that we have found ourselves in.
“At times, for us at the Presidential CNG Initiative Steering Committee, when we are doing meetings, we can’t just understand how it was possible that Nigeria up until today has been buying petrol for all cars, for commercial vehicles when we have gas here.
“And we can use the gas and sell, we can power all our vehicles with the gas at a cheaper and one-third of the cost.
“We will not have been spending any foreign exchange.”
Adedeji, represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Domestic, Mr Toyin Subair, assured that no monopoly would be created in executing the CNG project across the country.
The Project Director of P-CNGi, Mr Micheal Oluwagbemi, said the event marked a significant step forward in pursuing cleaner, more affordable and environmentally responsible energy solutions.
He said the conversion of Petrol Motor Spirit (PMS) vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Bi-Fuel at the facility was a testament to Nigeria’s commitment to mitigating climate change and ensuring sustainable economic growth.
Earlier, the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Saidu Alkali, said studies have shown that CNG could earn the federal government over N200 billion from every one million cars if converted.
The minister explained that CNG is cleaner, cheaper and available in the country, adding that it could be used in cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles, buses, trains and ships.
Alkali, represented by Cynthia Ahkidenor, acting Director, Department of Road Transport and Mass Transit Administration, said CNG would also provide the country with energy security.
The minister said the ministry was aggressively involved in the advocacy of engine conversion as an alternative to the removal of fuel subsidy.
The federal government had on Friday, October 27 flagged off the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative PCNGI, with seven conversion centres across Nigeria.
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