FG Inaugurates More CNG Conversion Centres In Abuja

• The Presidential CNG Initiative has unveiled new conversion centres in Abuja to accelerate the transition of petrol and diesel-powered vehicles to CNG
• Private cars are supposed to pay a fraction of the conversion cost, while transport associations enjoy 100% free conversion

The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative has unveiled new conversion centres in Abuja to accelerate the transition of petrol and diesel-powered vehicles to CNG.

Officials from the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and those from the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative oversaw the commencement of the exercise in the Federal Capital Territory. Transporters brought in their vehicles for conversion.

Mrs. Omolara Obileye, the initiative’s Coordinator of Business Development and Strategy, spoke during the exercise, highlighting its benefits in reducing fuel dependence.

She said: “We are starting with Abuja and Lagos, and we will keep rolling out. Announcements will be made regularly as we move to each state.

“Private cars are supposed to pay a fraction of the conversion cost, while transport associations enjoy 100 percent free conversion.

“However, the cost depends on the vehicle size because there are different types of vehicles, and we 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 centre’s head, 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, but it will also reduce food prices because transportation will be more cost-effective,” he said.

Mr. Joseph Smith, a CNG engineer, stated that the price of a litre of CNG was N230 at NIPCO Oil and Gas station, adding that a driver could use CNG worth N3,000 to travel from Abuja to Kaduna.

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 worth about N25,000 to N30,000, but with CNG, I’m spending 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.”