The Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, PCNGI.
The approval is in furtherance of his commitment to easing the impact of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians by reducing energy costs.
The President gave his nod on Friday when he hosted the Board and Management of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The transformative initiative is poised to revolutionise the transportation landscape in the country, targeting over 11,500 new CNG-enabled vehicles and 55,000 CNG conversion kits for existing PMS-dependent vehicles, while simultaneously bolstering in-country manufacturing, local assembly, and expansive job creation in line with the presidential directive.
In a message, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Nglale, said:
“The landmark initiative will include Empowering Workshops Programme, Local Assem, bly, and Job Creation as key points of emphasis with an initial focus on mass transit systems and student hubs to significantly reduce transit costs for the general populace in the immediate term.
“Furthermore, in line with the PCNGI’s determination to ensure a seamless integration of CNG utility within the current midstream and downstream energy value chain to support its sustainability, the PCNGI will facilitate the introduction of essential kits and comprehensive training for newly employed staff, thus creating new opportunities for technical skill development and employment for Nigerians.”
He stated that the new nationwide network of workshops would ensure widespread access utilization of CNG technology, thereby facilitating smoother transitions for vehicle owners for the wider benefit of the Nigerian economy.
Giving details of achievements to be recorded under the initiative, Nglale said;
“Under the aegis of the PCNGI, the following strategic objectives will be achieved:
•The development of new stakeholder-operated Intrastate Mass Transit systems built on CNG.
•Support for states to onboard new CNG buses as part of their Intrastate Mass •Transit network (wholesale conversion, retro-fitting, and new purchase).
•The deployment of CNG buses through existing Private Mass Transit operators, including new financing programmes for operators through an innovative asset finance programme.
•Incentivise investors to invest in CNG processing, distribution, and utilization by providing incentives for enhanced investment and partnership.
•Deliver training and technology transfer to support the After-Sales Services and maintenance sub-industry to create sustainable jobs.”
•He also said President Tinubu’s focus on assembling CNG-enabled vehicles within the country would stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities, and bolster the nation’s automotive manufacturing capabilities.
“The launch of this initiative also underscores this administration’s commitment to fostering a cleaner environment by reducing carbon emissions and promoting energy security through the utilization of domestic natural gas resources,” he added.