- PCNGi aims to convert one million vehicles to CNG, saving $4.4 billion annually.
- The initiative requires $890 million for infrastructure to replace 20% of daily petrol use.
- The government seeks to enhance energy security and growth through gas resources.
The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PCNGi) plans to convert one million vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). This move could save Nigeria $4.4 billion annually in petrol importation costs. The initiative requires an investment of $890 million in CNG infrastructure.
Engr. Zayyan Tambari, Coordinator of Regulations, Compliance, and Facilitation at PCNGi, discussed these plans during a Co-Creation Session on the Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System (NGVMS) in Abuja yesterday. He said the government aims for CNG to replace 20 per cent of the 50 million litres of petrol consumed daily.
Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), affirmed the government’s commitment to maximising Nigeria’s gas resources. Representing Ekpo, Engr. Abel Nsa stressed the importance of safety in CNG use. “We need to address safety issues with CNG. Specific tools and materials are required,” he said. Ekpo compared CNG’s potential impact to the cell phone boom during President Obasanjo’s regime from 2001 to 2009.
Engr. Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director of Distribution System, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), announced new regulations. These regulations set the technical framework and standards for gas retailing infrastructure and fuel quality.
The Federal Government’s push for increased domestic gas supply forms part of a broader energy strategy. This initiative aims to enhance energy security and economic growth by utilising Nigeria’s abundant gas resources.