From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Federal Government has declared a 50 per cent reduction in the conversion costs of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles for transporters nationwide.
The Presidential Initiative on CNG (P-CNGI) Programme Director, Michael Oluwagbemi, made the disclosure at the stakeholders’ event it organised in conjunction with Portland Gas and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in Abuja on Thursday.
Oluwagbemi, who was represented by Tosin Coker, said the initiative is further enhancing the sector by facilitating the introduction of CNG buses and tricycles (Keke).
Addressing the audience at the event themed “Driving Sustainable Transportation: Accelerating CNG Adoption in Nigeria”, he said “In December 2023, we hosted our first investor forum, which saw tremendous participation from companies now investing in the sector. I am pleased to report that well over $50 million has been mobilized directly by the sector since then, more than any amount mobilized in the last ten years combined. We are also enabling ordinary Nigerians, particularly transport operators, to convert their vehicles. Last month, on May 29, we announced the Conversion Incentive Program, making it easier for Nigerians to adopt CNG.
“This effort is supported by private sector partners, development funds, and banks, all eager to finance this transformative initiative. More importantly, in an effort to reduce the cost of public transport, we are catalysing the sector by supporting the introduction of CNG buses and tricycles (kekes). In the next days you will witness these buses on the streets of Abuja, even as we also start to make conversion kits available at 50 per cent discount to the transport sector.”
Folajimi Mohammed, Managing Director of Portland Gas, highlighted that CNG-powered vehicles slash fuel costs by 76 per cent compared to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) petrol. He reassured that despite concerns about fire risk, CNG is lighter than air, minimizing the chances of ignition.
Mohammed added that the P-CNGI (Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative) registers converted vehicle owners for carbon credits, adding that the cost effectiveness of the system will help car owners recoup cost of conversions within a year.
He said, “We are seeing close to about 76 per cent savings in cost alone. So without a doubt, we know that adoption of CNG is almost inevitable.”
“Is it safe? I am sure this is a very pertinent question everybody has asked. Why do I have gas in my truck? What happens in the event of an explosion?
“Let us make this understandable. The component of CNG is methane. CH4 is lighter than air.When we mean lighter than air, in the event there is any release of it, it goes and expresses into the air.
“Have there been incidents? Yes, there has been. But the chances are extremely very narrow. CNG tanks and systems are designed with robust safety features, making CNG a safe fuel option when installed by certified professionals. – Regular maintenance and inspection of the CNG system is recommended to ensure continued safe operation.
He stated that due to the inability to adulterate gas, it offers superior combustion compared to any other fuel.
The MD further explained that because CNG refueling stations are currently limited, the conversion still accommodates provision for alternative fueling options.
“Conversion kits are available for dedicated CNG and bi-fuel. A hybrid system allows the vehicle to run on either natural Gas, as the primary fuel, or gasoline as the reserve fuel.When the Natural Gas runs out, the engine is switched over to gasoline either manually with a dashboard switch, or automatically dual fuel vehicles are well suited for applications in which much of the driving is in an urban area, serviced by a CNG fill station, but where occasional long-distance trips are required,” he noted.
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