Nigeria Aims for One Million Gas-Powered Vehicles by 2027 with PCNGi’s Ambitious Plan
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi) has announced the Federal Government’s ambitious plan to have one million gas-powered vehicles on Nigerian roads by 2027. This plan, revealed by PCNGi’s Chief Executive Officer and Project Director, Michael Oluwagbemi, is part of a comprehensive strategy to transition to a more sustainable and efficient gas-powered economy.
Oluwagbemi highlighted the key objectives of the initiative, including the establishment of 40,000 auto gas conversion workshops and the creation of 750,000 jobs across the emerging CNG value chain by 2027. He emphasized the potential economic benefits of this transition, citing the reduction in the cost of transportation and the improvement of living standards through the use of cleaner and more affordable fuel.
The announcement came after the successful hosting of the first-ever Compressed Natural Gas Stakeholders and Investors’ forum, which brought together key figures and stakeholders from various sectors, including energy, transportation, finance, and the environment. The forum aimed to assess Nigeria’s potential in the CNG industry and evaluate the government’s efforts in advancing CNG as a sustainable fuel alternative.
Toyin Subair, a member of the PCNGi, emphasized the economic advantage of Nigeria adopting CNG as an alternative fuel, stating that it would not only reduce the cost of transportation but also eliminate the need to import petrol. He highlighted the abundance of natural gas resources in Nigeria, which could be leveraged to drive economic growth and development.
Dr. Armstrong Takang, CEO of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated and a member of the PCNGi Steering Committee, stressed the importance of training engineers to ensure the successful implementation of the programme. He emphasized the need for rigorous training and monitoring to guarantee the safety and sustainability of the CNG ecosystem in Nigeria.
The initiative received validation from Dr. Mohammed El-Gawish, an International CNG Expert, who commended Nigeria’s plans and action points, drawing parallels with a successful CNG initiative in Egypt. El-Gawish expressed optimism about the roadmap and action plans put in place by Nigeria, describing them as promising.
The forum also featured panel discussions on various aspects of the CNG ecosystem, including gas potential, pricing, availability, and international perspectives on regulatory best practices. It concluded with a commitment to making the benefits of the CNG revolution accessible to a broad spectrum of the population, fostering economic inclusivity and a comprehensive transition to a CNG-powered transportation landscape.
Source: Daily Nigerian
