The Program Coordinator of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), Mr. Folarin Oworu, has announced that all 36 states in the country will be covered by the end of the year for the conversion of vehicles from petrol to compressed natural gas (CNG).
Mr. Oworu explained that the Presidential CNG Initiative (CNGi) is a key component of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s palliative measures aimed at mitigating the effects of the fuel subsidy removal policy on the masses.
The initiative seeks to provide relief to Nigerians by promoting the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) as a cleaner and more affordable alternative to petrol.
Speaking at a rally in Kaduna on Thursday, Mr. Oworu revealed that the initial target for the conversion is commercial vehicles across the country, with Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) established with key stakeholders in the transport unions.
He mentioned that the kickoff in Kaduna involved 100 conversion kits, and the next location for the rally will be Lagos. He expressed confidence that all 36 states will be covered by the end of the year.
“What we are doing here today is a comprehensive CNG conversion mobilization. Mr. President has decided to make the conversion free for road transport unions such as NURTW, NATO, and other road transport unions. The goal is to reduce the cost of commercial transportation. We aim to achieve this by converting the commercial vehicles of transport unions to lower their running costs, which should then be passed on to end users by making transportation cheaper,” Mr. Oworu said.
“We are starting in Kaduna and will move to Lagos next. By the end of the year, we aim to cover all 36 states. The signing of the MOUs was completed with our conversion partners at various locations where commercial vehicles will be converted. The conversion kits and the cost of conversion are completely free, as stipulated in the MOU.”
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“The government has various partners in different states. Here in Kaduna, we are providing 100 conversion kits, but this is not the end. We plan to return before these 100 kits run out. The same applies to other states. Our target is to convert close to 250,000 vehicles per year, starting next year.”
“The conversion kits are valued between one million naira and 1.5 million naira, depending on the type. We have kits for four-cylinder, six-cylinder, and eight-cylinder vehicles, with CNG storage capacities of 60 liters, 65 liters, and 75 liters. The price varies according to the concentration and type of kit,” Mr. Oworu added.
In his goodwill message, former National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Alhaji Majid Usman Yasmin, commended President Bola Tinubu’s initiative on the P-CNGi agenda, aimed at converting commercial vehicles to use compressed natural gas (CNG).
Yasmin praised the President’s support for the transport sector and the decision to provide conversion kits free of charge to commercial vehicles, which is estimated to benefit 1 million vehicles.
He encouraged members of NURTW, NATO, and other road users to participate in the program, which aims to reduce the suffering of the masses by lowering transportation costs and fuel prices.
Yasmin thanked the President and the organizers for involving transport workers in the program and expressed appreciation for the support from neighboring states.
He emphasized the program’s potential to reduce fuel prices and transportation costs, benefiting the masses. The program is set to roll out across all 36 states in the country.
Yasmin said, “This program will cover all 36 states. We, the National Union of Road Transport Workers of Nigeria and the National Association of Transport Owners, use this opportunity to commend President Bola Tinubu for this commendable initiative and support for the transport sector in Nigeria.
“I urge all transport organizations—NURTW, NATO, and others across the country—to participate in the program. Agreements have been signed with the conversion companies, and we have received the numbers of vehicles that can now proceed to conversion centers.
“This initiative is specifically for commercial vehicles, and that is why we are involved to ensure our members participate. We appreciate Mr. President and all those who worked tirelessly to make this program a reality.
“We understand the current cost of fuel, and if you fill your tank for N50,000 or N45,000, depending on your vehicle’s consumption, it quickly adds up. This inevitably affects transportation fares.
“With the P-CNGi, we expect fuel prices to decrease, which will positively impact the transportation system in the country. That is the aim of the P-CNGi.
“I thank Mr. President for deciding to provide these conversion kits free of charge, even though we were expected to purchase them. This initiative is estimated to convert 1 million vehicles at no cost, and we appreciate Mr. President for including us in this program.”
