The CNG buses were allocated to trade unions and National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
Also, more states are joining the CNG scheme with increase in acquisition of buses and establishment of conversion centres.
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he P-CNGi Programme Director/Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, gave further insights yesterday.
He said the main objective of the CNG Initiative was mass transportation, which was already being achieved.
“The state by state report didn’t capture all the states impacted and the impact. In the case of FCT , Niger and Nasarawa, additional 15 High Capacity Buses were received through the Ministry of Transport Partnership with three transport unions, transporting passengers from surburbs of Abuja city to Nasarawa (Keffi, Masaka,Nyanya), Niger (Zuba) and FCT (Gwagwalada).
“We gave 30 to Lagos in the VI-Ajah route via LGA based transit company , Iru land transport. Also, 20 CNG buses to Kogi State.
“Niger , FCT and Nasarawa have over 30 conversion centres in between them and NNPC opened new six refueling centres.”
On the 150,000 kits and 50,000 conversions “expected to achieve” , he said: “For distribution we know we will exceed but may fall short on actual conversions.”
Oluwagbemi explained the rationale for extending the CNG Initiative to trade and student unions.
He said: “It was critical that trade unions and student unions buy into the President’s agenda of subsidy removal and sustainable energy transition”. The provision of CNG buses was part of the deal reached in the process of negotiations and PCNGi delivered these in line with those critical agreements that birthed the reforms.
On the involvement of states in CNG initiative, Oluwagbemi said “their participation have been appreciable and encouraging. “
He added: “Yes, several state governments have stepped up with regards to CNG and direct engagements have been fruitful to date.”
“For example the Chairman of the Governors forum, the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abulrazaq has been instrumental to the kick off in Kwara State which included PCNGI investments in the dispensing and conversion infrastructure at Ilorin, and launch of buses for Kwara mass transit.”
“ In like manner, Akwa Ibom, Kogi, Kano, Kaduna, Ogun, Ekiti, Oyo, Lagos, Edo, Rivers , Nasarawa, Kebbi, Delta and Benue have all been engaging directly and making progress.”
The Director General, Small and Medium Enterprises Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) Charles Odii has commissioned the conversion and training centre for CNG.
The DG said this initiative marks an important step in supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which will promote cleaner energy solutions, as it is in partnership with Rolling Energy, and Presidential Initiative on -CNG.
Odii stated this at the commissioning of CNG conversion and training centre in Abuja, stating that this new center is designed to convert vehicles to run on CNG, an affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fuels.
He said: “This new move has the capacity to convert nine (9) vehicles daily with a dedicated team of 20 technicians, this center will help SMEs reduce transportation costs and also adapt to changing energy needs. It will also train young Nigerians in CNG conversion, maintenance, and repair, equipping them with practical skills and opening up new business opportunities.
“This project aligns with SMEDAN’s GROW Nigerian strategy, which focuses on providing SMEs with Guidance, Resources, Opportunities, and Workforce Support. By adopting CNG, we are helping SMEs cut costs while promoting sustainable energy practices. This effort is particularly timely as businesses face rising fuel costs following subsidy removal”.
Odii noted that beyond the technical benefits, this initiative has a human impact as it provides practical skills and fostering entrepreneurship, ‘we are empowering a new generation to take control of their future. We hope many of those trained here will go on to establish their own conversion centers, further expanding the reach of this program’.
END.