The Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), Ajuri Ngelale, says that the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) holds immense opportunities for local vehicles manufacturers and assemblers.

The PCNGI was recently established by
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to facilitate nationwide adoption of gas-powered vehicles.

In a statement, Ngelale said that the initiative was in furtherance of the government’s commitment to easing the impact of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians by reducing energy costs.

“The transformative initiative is poised to revolutionise the transportation landscape in the country, targeting over 11,500 new Compressed Natural Gas (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”, he said.

The initiative, which comprises a comprehensive adoption strategy, will include the following: empowering workshop programmes/nationwide network of workshops, local assembly 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.

“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 provision of workshops across all geopolitical zones and states with essential kits and comprehensive training for newly employed staff, thus creating new opportunities for technical skill development and employment for Nigerians.

“The new nationwide network of workshops to be established through the initiative would ensure widespread access and demand side utilisation of CNG technology and CNG-related expertise, thereby facilitating smoother transitions for vehicle owners at the wider benefit of the Nigerian economy,” he stated.

Under the aegis of the PCNGI, the strategic objectives, which will be achieved, include 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.

Others are: Incentivise investors to invest in CNG processing, distribution and utilisation by providing incentives for enhanced investment and partnership; deliver training and technology transfer to support the after-sales services and maintenance of sub-industry to create sustainable jobs.

Tinubu’s focus on assembling CNG-enabled vehicles within the country is expected to 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 utilisation of domestic natural gas resources,” Ngelale said.