In response to rising fuel costs, the Federal Government has ramped up efforts to distribute auto gas conversion kits nationwide through the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGi). The initiative aims to facilitate a transition to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a cleaner and more affordable alternative to petrol.
On Friday, a representative from P-CNGi, Mr. Moses Onate, announced that approximately 10,000 conversion kits are being dispatched to key states including Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos, and Ogun. This move is part of a broader strategy to support both commercial and private vehicle owners in switching to CNG.
“The distribution of these kits from the NIPCO warehouse in Ibafo to various states is designed to offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly fuel option,” Onate explained at the NIPCO-CNG facility in Ogun State.
The initiative, launched under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, is part of the government’s energy diversification efforts. By providing CNG conversion kits, the program seeks to ease fuel expenses and offer immediate benefits to Nigerians reliant on transportation.
NIPCO’s Engineer Nwaodu Austin Chinedu confirmed that the distribution process is progressing smoothly and the company’s warehouses are well-stocked to meet the demand. The partnership between NIPCO and P-CNGi is set to facilitate the conversion of up to one million commercial vehicles to CNG by 2027.
Additionally, the government has approved a new price of N230 per litre for CNG. The program includes collaborations with several partners such as Portland Gas Ltd., Fix It 45, ABG Oil, and the Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (NITT).
The P-CNGi aims to identify and equip 2,000 workshops nationwide, with 123 already selected. Unionized commercial operators, including RTEAN, NATO, and NURTW, will begin conversions at five workshops in the FCT, with plans to expand nationwide.
Ride-sharing drivers, including those from Bolt and Uber, will benefit from a 50 percent discount on conversion equipment and free installation, with the government covering the remaining costs and offering installment payment options.
