Presidential Compressed Natural Gas initiative (P-CNGi) has commenced the installation of the free CNG conversion kits earlier distributed to stakeholders in the commercial transportation sector in Ogun State as part of the federal government’s commitment towards achieving the conversion of one million petroleum vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) by next year.
Installation of the free CNG conversion kits which came under the Conversion Incentive Programme (CIP) initiative began at two workshops of the conversion partners who had earlier signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with P-CNGi.
A total number of 110 conversion kits, accompanied with 90 units of 65 litres and 20 units of 75 litres of CNG cylinders are expected to be installed on certified commercial vehicles in the conversion exercise which commenced yesterday.
Speaking with journalists at one of the conversion centres in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, a director in the state’s Ministry of Transport, Adetimehin Olugboyega said any benefiting commercial vehicle has to undergo inspection to ascertain whether such is fit to be converted for the use of the CNG or not.
Adetimehin explained that a 75-litre CNG-filled cylinder could cover a 150-kilometre journey, thereby contributing to the reduction of transportation fare as envisaged by the federal government following the removal of the fuel subsidy.
“The cylinder is molded and not welded and is as thick as 60mm, bulletproofed, accident-proofed and cannot cause any explosive. In Abeokuta here, we have two refilling stations presently and one at Ibafo. To install a kit for a petrol engine, it takes 4-5 hours but for a diesel engine, it would take 3-days,” he said.
Commenting on the viability and economic advantages of the CNG transportation system, the operations manager of the P-CNGI’s technical partner, Nigerian Gas and Transport Solution Limited (NGTSL), Ali Manager said a gas-driven transportation system remains the best option that would stabilise the nation’s economy.
“Out of my 17 years of experience in the gas industry, I can tell you that if a taxi driver runs on gas in approximately two years, he can buy a new car for himself.
“The first thing is that you (Nigeria) should have your own gas company; you will be an independent company in terms of energy unlike other countries that import and rely on others and this will bring a bigger change to this country,” he stated.
Spokesperson of one of the conversion partners, Nexgen Automobiles, Toyosi Oluwasesan confirmed receipt of 50 CNG conversion kits, stressing that three automobile technicians were also trained from his workshop.
State chairman of one of the transportation unions, National Union of Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW), Adewale Yàtò, represented by Ahmed Bankole commended the federal government on the P-CNG initiative.
Adewale emphasized that the use of the CNG-compliant vehicle would go a long way in compelling his union to reduce the transportation fare across the state.
