The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGi) has encouraged Nigerians to embrace the opportunities presented by the initiative to alleviate economic hardship. As part of its efforts to achieve its target of converting one million vehicles in Nigeria, the P-CNGi is distributing CNG kits across the country.
During a recent distribution event in Lagos, Omoh Imouchuede, Head of Commercial Operations at P-CNGi, emphasized the importance of public acceptance for the initiative to have a widespread impact on the economy. “It’s a good turnout so far, but for us to push through the program, there has to be acceptance,” he stated.
The P-CNGi is focusing on mass transit as a starting point for implementing the initiative. Imouchuede highlighted the significance of CNG adoption across all spheres, emphasizing its potential to reduce emissions and promote cleaner energy.
Folajimi Mohammed, Managing Director of NASENI Portland Gas Limited, noted that the initiative was particularly relevant in the context of rising fuel prices. He mentioned that the center had received 50 CNG kits and was planning to convert 50 commercial vehicles. Mohammed emphasized the safety and environmental benefits of CNG, stating that it was safer than petrol combustion and reduced emissions.
Matthews Kuruvilla, Chief Commercial Officer of Dana Motors, announced that the company had started converting commercial vehicles to CNG as part of its partnership with the P-CNGi. He highlighted the significant cost savings associated with using CNG, which can be up to 70 percent cheaper than normal fuel.
The Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has also expressed support for the initiative. Oyekale Ayodele Jelili, a member of the NURTW, shared that some drivers had already converted their vehicles to CNG and experienced substantial cost savings. He noted that the cost of fuel had decreased from N40,000-N50,000 per day to as low as N5,000-N6,000 for gas.
Jelili emphasized that the reduced cost of operating vehicles would translate into lower transportation fares for commuters. He pledged that the NURTW would work to ensure that the benefits of CNG adoption were passed on to consumers.
