FG launches CNG vehicle conversion centre in Ogun

The Federal Government on Friday inaugurated the Conversion Incentive Programme of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The initiative seeks to offer relief to the masses due to the hardships caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy.

The CEO and Programme Director of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (Pi-CNG), Michael Oluwagbemi, stated that the programme aimed to convert one million vehicles to run on CNG for free.

He commended Ogun State for being a pioneer in adopting CNG for transportation.

Oluwagbemi added that the programme will partner with conversion centres, with four already signed up in Ogun State.

He said the centres will receive conversion kits purchased by the federal ministry of finance for free, adding that members of NURTW, NATO, RTEAN, and other commercial drivers will be nominated to have their vehicles converted at no cost.

“What we are doing here now is to flag off the incentive program that the President announced in his last speech to the nation, where he talked about the difficulties of all Nigerians.

“He mentioned that a million vehicles are going to be converted for free. We are here to fulfil the President’s promise here in the city of Abeokuta.

“We are going to be working with the conversion centre partners; we signed up four of them here in Ogun State today.

“It’s going to be the 60th we’ve signed across Nigeria for the program. The idea is that this conversion centre will get the conversion kit that the Federal Ministry of Finance has purchased for free.

“They would send members of NURTW, NATO, RTEAN, and other commercial drivers; they would be able to bring their vehicles here on nomination to be converted for free for the installation and the kits.

“50 nominees from each of the three major unions will be utilising not just this facility but the three facilities to ensure conversion starts. When that conversion starts, we will be able to fuel in any of the CNG refuelling stations that are also present in Ogun State,” he said.

Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Energy, Jide Onakoya, described the programme as a game-changer for Ogun State, enabling citizens to switch from expensive petrol and diesel to cheaper gas.

He noted that it will reduce pollution, enhance commerce, and improve transportation.

He said, “We believe this programme will be a game changer for the people of Ogun State by enabling them to convert from expensive petrol and diesel to cheaper gas. It can help the people of Ogun State reduce pollution by a significant amount.

“Furthermore, it will help in improving transportation, which will boost commerce and the state’s economy.”

In his goodwill message, one of the conversion partners, Wale Adedotun, highlighted the benefits of gas over petrol, citing its safety features, cost-effectiveness, and environmental advantages.

He noted that a kilogramme of gas can cover 14-15 kilometres, compared to 10 kilometres with a litre of petrol.

“If you compare gas with petrol, gas is very light. Even if there’s any flame, gas rises and doesn’t fall. In terms of safety, it is better than petrol. Gas is far better, and your engine will always look new.

“If a litre of petrol covers 10 kilometres, a kilogram of gas, I can assure you, will cover between 14 and 15 kilometres.”