The federal government has commenced the distribution of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion kits nationwide to transition petrol and diesel-powered vehicles to CNG.
According to Programme Director of the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGi), Michael Oluwagbemi, one million conversion kits will be made available for free to commercial vehicles or at discounted rates for private vehicles.
“The President has assured that we are making one million conversion kits available for free for the commercial sector or at reasonable discounts for private vehicles,” Oluwagbemi stated.
This initiative aims to moderate transportation fares across the country over the next couple of years.
Oluwagbemi noted that the federal government has partnered with over 75 conversion partners in eight states, including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Edo, Delta, Kogi, FCT, and Kaduna.
“In the next six to eight weeks, we’ll be having additional nine states,” he added, listing Kwara, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Abia, Enugu, Kano, and Niger as the next states to join the program.
The federal government is working with governors and the private sector to ensure the conversion kits reach beneficiaries.
Oluwagbemi emphasized the need to move the nation’s economy away from dependence on petrol and diesel, which “truly is making the nation’s economy bankrupt.”
Omolara Obileye, Coordinator of Business Development and Strategy, noted that the program would reduce dependence on petrol.
While commercial transporters will receive 100% free conversion, private car owners will pay a fraction of the conversion cost, depending on vehicle size.
The initiative has established over 12 conversion centers in the FCT, with plans to increase the number.
Representatives of the conversion centers praised the federal government’s initiative, stating it will alleviate Nigerians’ suffering.
