Engr. Zayyanu Tambari, Regulatory & Compliance Coordinator for the Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG), revealed at a virtual event titled “Driving the Energy Transition: CNG Conversion” organized by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) that the CNG conversion program is gaining momentum. Currently, 100 conversion partners are involved, with plans to expand to 150 by March 31, 2025, and 200 by June 30, 2025.
Tambari reported the delivery of a total of 85 CNG buses across four major cities: Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, and Ilorin, each receiving 20 buses, while five were distributed to other regions. He emphasized the safety of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and announced the upcoming launch of the Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System (NGVMS) to bolster safety practices. Notably, in September 2024, the Pi-CNG launched nine new CNG refuelling sites and initiated the concessioning of tricycle routes around these stations, aiming to incorporate an additional 2,000 tricycles into the initiative in 2024.
In October 2024, local manufacturing of CNG kits and cylinders commenced, alongside the establishment of a CNG fund to address infrastructure gaps. Plans for a finance scheme supporting the refuelling add-on program and completing 100,000 conversions, with a long-term goal of reaching one million President kits, are set for November and December 2024.
Ujiadugbeli Nosiediana, Deputy Operations Manager at NIPCo, highlighted the company’s leadership in CNG conversion since 2009. NIPCo has pioneered Auto-CNG distribution in Nigeria, with 19 operational CNG stations, including four mother stations that supply CNG to various daughter booster stations. The company has also established five conversion workshops in Benin City, Ibafo, Abuja, and Ibadan, focusing on converting PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) vehicles to CNG.
Engr. Olalekan Omoniyi, Deputy Director of the Standards Development Coordination Division at the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), stressed the importance of implementing safety regulations for CNG conversion. He encouraged regulators to familiarize themselves with the relevant standards for managing and handling CNG equipment. SON is committed to providing training for stakeholders on standards requirements and compliance, as well as enforcing the Pressure Certificate Plate to ensure safety and protect lives and property.