On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu encouraged Nigerians to fully adopt Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), stating that it has come to stay as a viable energy alternative. This directive was delivered by Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), during a briefing with State House correspondents following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
Minister Ekpo highlighted the President’s establishment of a Presidential Committee on CNG to oversee the project’s implementation. He emphasized the benefits of CNG, noting that it is safe, cheaper, and environmentally friendly.
“We must inform the general public that CNG has come to stay, and we have to follow that route,” he said. Ekpo further revealed the President’s directive for the conversion of many filling stations nationwide into CNG stations, which would include installation of conversion kits for vehicles.
The Minister provided a financial comparison, indicating that while a litre of fuel can cost N1000, CNG is available for only N200 per litre, resulting in a significant savings of N800. He expressed optimism about the initiative, stating, “With the passion of Mr. President and the push that he has given to us, we’ll try to drive the CNG programme to reach the nooks and crannies of this country.”
Ekpo assured that Nigeria possesses ample gas resources, with the main challenge being the necessary infrastructure to deliver CNG to filling stations. He concluded by reiterating the President’s commitment to ensuring adequate infrastructure is developed for gas delivery, highlighting Nigeria’s capacity to meet its CNG needs while also exporting to other countries.