Minister of Transport Sa’idu Alkali has launched newly introduced Compress Natural Gas, (CNG), vehicles as a fuel cost cutting measure and to boost efficiency.
During the official commissioning and introduction of the vehicles to the Nigerian market at the CNG Conversion Station in the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, (NITT), Thursday in Abuja, the minister said the CNG can earn the federal government of Nigeria over 200 Billion from every one million cars converted.
He stated that his ministry has been having series of conversation with relevant stakeholders and transport operators in order to get their buy-in into the conversion of vehicles to dual engine as a one-off
expenditure due to the cost of energy
Represented by the Assistant Director, Mrs Akhidenor Cynthia, Alkali said that the “CNG is mainly produced by composed methane, compressed to less than 1% of the volume it occupies at standard atmospheric pressure and It can be stored and distributed in hard containers at a pressure of 20-25 Megapascals, usually in cylindrical or spherical shapes.
He assured that CNG is odorless, colourless, clear, non-corrosive and non-toxic and is cheaper, cleaner and available in Nigeria.
“The major consumption of fuel in the country is being borne by vehicles which have continued to increase in numbers. It is therefore believed that, the cheaper and cleaner energy source is CNG.
On the benefits of CNG, he explained that it reduces air, noise and Vehicular Exhaust Pollution (emission of carbon-monoxide), provides energy security and better fuel efficiency.
He added that CNG cars have a longer lifespan compared to petrol cars due to the cleaner burning fuel and CNG powered cars are safer and affordable.
In his welcome address, the Director General, NITT, Dr. Bayero Salih-Farah, stated that the event signifies a turning point in the history of transportation in the country, he commended the leadership of the presidential committee of the CNG for their effort towards the actualization of the initiative.
Dr. Salih-Farah informed that NITT has provided their office to serve a conversion center for all categories of vehicle to be converted to CNG.
He appealed to motorists in Abuja and it’s environ to take advantage of the facilities at the center to convert their vehicles and enjoy a cleaner and cheaper energy.
Delivery his welcome speech, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, Program Director, Presidential Compress Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGi), explained that in launching this P-CNGI affiliated Conversion Centre, they are taking another giant step forward in their collective journey towards an energy revolution and that it is a day that signifies progress and a vision for a cleaner, more sustainable, and economically sound future.
Oluwagbemi informed that the initiative goes beyond technology, as it is about the transformation of our mindset, our habits, and our responsibility towards our environment and economy.
