The Presidency says all is now set for the roll out of 5,500 Compressed Natural Gas initiative-CNG vehicles (buses and tricycles), as well as 20,000 conversion kits, in May ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s first anniversary.
This is contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
The Presidential aide explained that “In all, over 600 buses are targeted for production in the first phase that will be accomplished this year.
“A new plant on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway will assemble thousands of tricycles. The SKD parts manufactured by the Chinese company LUOJIA in partnership with its local partner to support the consortium of local suppliers of CNG tricycles are set for shipment to Nigeria and are expected to arrive early in May. About 2,500 of the tricycles will be ready before May 29, 2024.”
He said that FG was equally ready to spur the development of CNG refilling stations and electric charging stations across the country.
Mr. Bayo Onanuga pointed out that there are also plans for those who want to convert their petrol-powered buses and taxis.
“Thousands of conversion kits for petrol-powered buses and taxis that want to migrate to CNG are also ready with CNG cylinders.
“The Federal Government intends to provide them at subsidized rates, especially to commercial vehicle drivers to bring down the cost of public transportation,” he said.
According to him, a committee, led by Michael Oluwagbemi, an oil and gas expert, has delivered some major foundational reforms to enable the new CNG and Electric Vehicles deliver on the President’s promise.
He explained that with the necessary tax and duty waivers approved by President Tinubu in December 2023, the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative committee PCNGI, is partnering with the private sector to deliver the promise on the initiative.
Mr Onanuga affirmed that the private sector has responded with over $50 million in actual investments in refueling stations, conversion centres, and mother stations.
According to Mr Onanuga, a safety policy document on 80 standards and regulations that must be adhered to by operators has been developed and approved to ensure CNG conversions are done safely and reliably.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu launched the Presidential CNG Initiative in October last year to deliver cheaper, safer and more climate friendly energy.
The CNG Initiative was designed to deliver compressed natural gas especially for mass transit.
