Tinubu’s Gas Agenda Driving Cheaper Transportation, Jobs – Ekpo

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, yesterday said the federal government’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative is central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda to reduce transportation costs, deepen domestic gas utilisation and stimulate industrial growth across the country.

Ekpo spoke at the inauguration of Diverse Automobile Hub and CNG Conversion Centre in Benin City, Edo State, where he described the facility as a landmark investment that reflects the growing momentum of Nigeria’s gas-driven transition and industrial transformation agenda.

According to him, “Today is a day we should continue to celebrate Mr President because he is the initiator of what we are experiencing today, moving from expensive means of transportation to cost-effective alternatives.”

The minister commended Chairman of Auto Care Centre Benin, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, for what he called a bold and visionary initiative, noting that the facility represents more than an automobile conversion centre.

“It is a practical demonstration of private sector confidence in the future of natural gas as a cleaner, more affordable and sustainable fuel for transportation and industrial development in Nigeria,” Ekpo said.

He further stated that the commissioning aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration, particularly in reducing the cost of transportation, creating jobs and improving the quality of life for Nigerians.

Ekpo added that the CNG hub supports the Federal Government’s “Decade of Gas” initiative aimed at transforming Nigeria into a gas-powered industrial economy through the utilisation of the nation’s abundant natural gas resources for economic growth, industrialisation and energy security.

Also speaking, chairman of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative Committee, Barrister Ismael Ahmed, described Edo as a pioneer state in Nigeria’s CNG development drive.

“Edo State is the first state to open a CNG refuelling station and conversion centre. The issue of CNG is no longer an alternative energy source but a necessity with the rising cost of PMS and energy globally,” he said, adding that the combination of Nigeria’s vast gas resources and solar energy potential would provide sustainable energy solutions for Nigerians.

In his remarks, governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, who was represented by deputy governor,  Hon. Dennis Idahosa, said the automobile hub reflects the future the state government is building for Edo.

He assured investors that the state remains safe and conducive for investment, stressing that security remains the administration’s top priority for economic growth.

“Our message is simple: bring your investments to Edo and we will protect them,” Idahosa stated.

The deputy governor added that the state government had strengthened community policing through the Edo State Security Vigilante Network and was also pursuing reforms aimed at improving ease of doing business.

Earlier, Engr. Ogbeifun said the establishment of the automobile hub was driven by the need to create opportunities for youths and tackle unemployment in the state.

He explained that since the establishment of Diverse Auto Care Centre in 2022, the organisation has trained over 50 interns from tertiary institutions and other sectors, including beneficiaries sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

“Not many people in Benin understand what CNG and electric vehicles are all about, and I decided to venture into it to create jobs and attract investors into Edo State,” he said, while commending the administration of Governor Okpebholo for supporting investment and economic growth in the state.