The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), inaugurated by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, was established to provide alternative fuel solutions by converting vehicles to run on compressed natural gas rather than premium motor spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. This initiative followed the removal of fuel subsidy, which caused pump prices to skyrocket to over ₦1,000 per litre, resulting in increased transport fares and a higher cost of living across the country.
Speaking on Nigeria’s uninterrupted 26 years of democracy, a member of the Presidential Initiative on CNG, Mr. Nnanna Okoroafor, acknowledged the harsh impact of fuel subsidy removal on the transport sector. He noted that the removal of the subsidy at the start of President Tinubu’s administration led to widespread hardship due to the high cost of fuel and other petroleum products.
However, Mr. Okoroafor, who is also the Director of CEEDAC—a CNG conversion firm located along Old Ogoja Road, beside Sterling Bank—commended President Tinubu for the introduction of CNG as an affordable and cleaner alternative to petrol. He described the initiative as a relief to Nigerians, particularly in the transport sector.
He called on Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, to acquire CNG-powered buses and establish refilling stations across the state to promote affordable transportation. According to him, many motorists are hesitant to convert their vehicles due to the absence of CNG refilling infrastructure in the state.
Mr. Okoroafor further noted that while the committee has been consulting with relevant state government agencies, progress has been slow. He emphasized the need for youth training in CNG vehicle conversion, highlighting that such empowerment programs have already created jobs in states like Enugu, Imo, and Lagos.
He also congratulated Governor Nwifuru for his commendable achievements in human and infrastructural development within just two years in office and urged him to extend his development focus to the CNG sector for the benefit of unemployed youths and the general public.
Meanwhile, the National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative on CNG, Mr. Michael Oluwagbemi, recently disclosed that over 50,000 vehicles have been converted to CNG within the first year of the programme. He added that over 175 CNG refilling stations are currently being rolled out nationwide by various partners to increase access to the gas.