Subsidy: NITT to begin conversion of petrol engines to auto gas

Director General/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria, Dr. Bayero Salih Farah, has said that the institute would begin the conversion of petrol vehicles to gas-powered engines in the next two to three weeks. 

Farah also said the institute has commenced the building of workshops across the country to fast track and make the conversion process seamless for vehicle owners.

He stated this at a media briefing organised for journalists shortly after a One-Day Stakeholders Engagement Forum on the Provision of Technical Manpower and Facility for the Development and Promotion of Auto-gas as Transportation Fuel in Nigeria.

Farah, who said that the institute fully supports the removal of subsidy on petrol by the Federal Government, added that, “we have sensitised the country and vehicle owners at different fora on why Nigerians should move from petrol to auto-gas because it is cheap and more convenient.”

“There is a silver lining in the removal of subsidy on petrol. The removal of subsidy on petrol has dictated a need for embracing alternative means of energy that is cost-effective, cost-efficient and clean for transportation in Nigeria,” he explained.

Speaking on plans towards making the auto-gas project a reality in the country, Farah said the institute was working with various partners and manufacturers of the kits needed to kick-start the project.

His words: “For now, the conversion kits will be imported into the country. We are not producing these kits. We are working in partnership with some reputable partners and manufacturers that we have identified. They will bring in the kits. We will negotiate with them; take possession of the kits for use in our various workshops across the country.

“Nigerians will be able to save a lot of money by converting their vehicles from use of fossil fuel to auto-gas. This will ensure our environment is clean, and the issue of pollution will reduce significantly. Besides, the cost of transportation will go down because the money you will require to fill your tank and move with gas is almost 40 per cent lower compared with petrol.

“We are on this project. We are building our workshops across the country, and very soon (in the next two to three weeks), we will start this conversion process and let Nigerians take advantage of this,” he said.