The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative aims to engage all 36 states by the end of the year, transitioning petrol-powered vehicles to CNG, a cleaner and more cost-effective option.
The Programme Execution Coordinator for P-CNGi, Folarin Oworu, shared this news during a rally at the Mando Inter-State Terminal in Kaduna on Thursday.
At the event, 100 conversion kits were distributed to members of commercial transport unions.
Oworu highlighted that the initiative focuses on commercial vehicles, with plans to collaborate with partners across various states.
The goal is to convert 250,000 vehicles annually starting next year.
He noted that the conversion kits, valued at N1.5 million, will be provided free of charge to transport unions to help lower transportation costs for the public.
“The aim is to reduce commercial transportation expenses. By converting vehicles, we make running costs cheaper, allowing transport unions to pass on these savings to the public,” Oworu explained.
He mentioned that the next rally will be in Lagos, with plans to cover all states before the year ends.
“What we are doing here today is front-to-back CNG conversion mobilisation. Mr. President has decided to make conversion free for the road transport unions – that is the NURTW, NATO, and other road transport unions. The idea is to bring down the cost of commercial transportation,” he added.
Former National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Najim Yasin, praised President Tinubu’s initiative, which targets converting commercial vehicles to CNG.
Yasin commended the President’s support for the transport sector and the provision of free conversion kits, which are expected to benefit approximately 1 million vehicles.
Yasin urged members of NURTW, NATO, and other transport associations to embrace the program, emphasizing its potential to reduce transportation costs and fuel prices for the masses.
“This programme will move around the 36 states of this country. We, the National Union of Road Transport Workers of Nigeria, the National Association of Transport Owners, use this opportunity to commend President Bola Tinubu for this laudable initiative and support for the transport sector in Nigeria,” Yasin said. He encouraged transport organizations to participate and highlighted the impact of rising fuel costs on transport fares.
The Presidential CNG initiative is a significant part of President Tinubu’s administration’s efforts to mitigate the effects of the fuel subsidy removal policy.
By promoting the use of compressed natural gas, the initiative aims to provide relief to Nigerians and facilitate a transition to a more sustainable energy future.
