In a decisive move to complement the Federal Government’s drive towards transitioning to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for sustainable economic growth, the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has positioned Gombe at the forefront among sub-nationals by attracting a $2 million CNG investment.
This milestone, spearhead by Greenville CNG/LNG, is in line with the Inuwa-led administration’s agenda to industrialize the state, create massive jobs, and drive cheaper, cleaner energy solutions that will accelerate Gombe’s emergence as a regional energy hub.
In an interview, the Director of Greenville CNG/LNG, the company undertaking the investment, Alhaji Yusuf Zaiyana, disclosed that they were in Gombe to inspect and collect drawings as well as approvals for the four hectares of land allocated to the company by the Governor.
According to him, Greenville plans to deploy a $2 million CNG and LCNG project in Gombe State, with mobilization to site set to commence soon.
He further disclosed that within eight months, the investment will be fully established and ready for commissioning, bringing significant benefits to the people of Gombe State.
Alhaji Zaiyana also hinted at possible future investments in Kolmani oil exploration, noting that their findings indicate the wells contain more Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) than petrol, which better suits their gas-driven operations.
He explained that instead of concentrating operations exclusively in the southern part of the country, particularly Port Harcourt, it would be more convenient, more secure, and more economically viable to invest directly in Kolmani once the Federal Government grants their request.
Highlighting the benefits of the project, he stated that the investment would create thousands of jobs and provide affordable energy solutions.
“CNG and LCNG are 50% cheaper than petrol, healthier for humans and the environment, and align with the global shift toward green energy,” he said.
He further emphasized that vehicles running on CNG require less frequent servicing, with engine oil changes needed only once in six months compared to monthly servicing with petrol engines—an advantage many Nigerians are yet to fully realize.
While acknowledging that Federal Government policy has restricted them to establishing only CNG and LCNG hubs, Alhaji Zaiyana noted that Greenville plans to attract additional investors to establish conversion centres in Gombe State.
He commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for transforming Gombe into a modern city with world-class infrastructure.
“I was in Gombe during my service with the Federal Government under Goje’s tenure, but coming back now I could hardly trace my house in Federal Low-Cost because of the massive development everywhere, link roads, schools, solar streetlights, water projects, and more. The Governor has truly turned Gombe into a big city,” he remarked.
Zaiyana further urged the people of Gombe State to rally behind Governor Inuwa Yahaya, whom he described as a leader with genuine love for his people.
“This Governor personally persuaded us to come and invest in Gombe because of his passion for his state. This is the kind of leadership we need in the North to revive our region. In him, we see the spirit of the late Sardaunan Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello. No wonder Northern Governors unanimously elected him as their Chairman,” he added.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority (GOSUPDA), Alhaji Bappayo Samanja Maudo, said he was directed by the Governor to welcome the Greenville team and show them the allocated land.
He described Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s investment drive as “unprecedented in the history of Gombe State,” stressing that if sustained, Gombe would soon become the first self-sustaining state in Northern Nigeria.
