The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative has unveiled conversion centres in Abuja to Fasttrack the conversion of petrol and diesel-powered vehicles to use of CNG.
Officials of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, along with those from the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, monitored the commencement of the exercise at the Federal Capital Territory, as transporters brought in their vehicles to be converted.
Coordinator of Business Development and Strategy of the initiative, Mrs Omolara Obileye who spoke during the exercise, said the initiative would reduce the dependence on fuel.
She said: “We are starting with Abuja and Lagos, and we will keep rolling out. the announcements will be made regularly as we go to each of the states.
“Private cars are supposed to pay a fraction of the cost of the conversion, while the transport associations have 100 per cent conversion-free.
“However, the cost depends on the vehicle size because there are different types of vehicles, and there is a need to understand exactly what we need to configure in the system.
“We have over 12 conversion centres in the FCT; we will continue to increase the number and update the public.”
The CNG Conversion Centres visited in Abuja include NIPCO Oil and Gas Station at Airport Road, Kia Motors at Utako, Mijo Gas Auto in Jahi, and ABG CNG, Kubwa.
At Mijo Gas Auto, the head of the centre, Mr Gaurav Goyal, described CNG as very safe and clean.
“So, what we want from every Nigerian is to go green; it will be a very good initiative for bringing down the price of items, including the cost of PMS.
“CNG is not only pocket-friendly, it will reduce food prices because transportation will also be cost effective,” he said.
One of the CNG engineers, Mr Joseph Smith, said the price of a litre of CNG was N230 at NIPCO Oil and Gas station, adding that a driver could use CNG worth N3000 to travel to Kaduna from Abuja.
Speaking at another conversion centre in Abuja, Udechukwu Ejike, a Bolt driver said: “I’m doing this because petrol is far higher in cost than CNG. For instance, in a day I buy petrol of about N25,000 to N30,000, but with CNG I’m to spend between N3,500 and N7,000. I’m happy with this initiative, and I advise everyone to consider converting their vehicles from petrol usage to CNG. It is very cheap and good.”
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