PCNGI Says Six States To Receive 530 CNG Buses

The Programme Director of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), Michael Oluwagbemi, on Wednesday, announced the rollout of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles with plans to deploy at least 530 buses in six leading states by the end of the month.

The Programme Director said that the pioneering states include Oyo, Lagos, Kwara, Kogi, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

The PCNGI director announced the event, signalling the commencement of 15-day-long activities ahead of the rollout and stating that the distribution would be based on demand.

He said there will be an increased focus on converting diesel and petrol-fueled engines nationwide.

Oluwagbemi mentioned that President Tinubu has instructed the PCNGI to ensure that at least 10 per cent of the country's vehicles are converted in the first year of the initiative. The program commenced in the Southwest with the critical gas supply projects being virtually commissioned by the President.

“Tomorrow, there will be an engagement with stakeholders from the Southsouth and Southeast regions in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.
“The agenda includes affiliate conversion and refuelling at the Femadec Site, as well as an inspection tour of the Total Energies support station.

Additionally, a six-day inspection tour of the Kojo Factory at the Enugu-Onitsha site will commence on May 24 to receive the first batch of assembled tricycles, buses, cylinders, and kits before the official launch”. 

He said the inauguration of the Luojia Assembly Plant for CNG tricycles on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is scheduled for May 30.

Oluwagbemi said the initiatives are in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to driving Nigeria’s energy transition in the transportation sector through CNG, thereby fostering economic growth.

He emphasized the President’s determination to maximize the use of natural gas, which was previously being flared.

Oluwagbemi also highlighted that gas is abundant in 30 out of the 36 states in Nigeria, and CNG penetration through filling stations has increased from less than 20 last year to 50 this month.

He mentioned that around 100 CNG vehicles are set to be deployed by June, with applications for an additional 150 awaiting approval.

Oluwagbemi informed transport sector stakeholders from Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo, stating that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulation Authority (NMDPRA) has mandated that all filling stations in Nigeria install gas pump points.

He emphasized that it would be unlawful to operate a filling station in Nigeria without a gas filling point on the premises, which would enhance accessibility for end users.

He clarified that CNG is distinct from Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), as it is a natural gas and dissipates into the atmosphere rapidly due to its lightness.