Presidential CNG Initiative to Deploy 150 New Stations

The Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI) has announced plans to deploy 150 new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refilling stations across the country in the next 18 months.

The initiative, which aims to make access to CNG refilling easier, is a major boost to the country’s efforts to promote the use of cleaner and more affordable energy sources.

At a press conference held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, CEO of the PCNGI, Michael Oluwagbemi, said that the initiative is committed to making CNG refill more accessible to Nigerians.

“To further bolster this base infrastructure, we have co-opted our private sector partners to deploy over 150 new refueling locations in the next 18 months,” he said.

Mr. Oluwagbemi also announced that several companies, including NNPC, NIPCO, Bovas, Ay Shafa, Ibile Oil and Gas, and Mikano, are already working on deploying new CNG refilling stations across the country.

“NNPC have already deployed 12 sites, with 8 to go this quarter, and approval for additional 100 sought and secured for the next 18-24 months. NIPCO has imported equipment for 32 daughter station sites with 22 in operation and 8 under construction,” he said.

The PCNGI boss also addressed concerns about safety, following a CNG-powered vehicle explosion in Benin, Edo State, last year. He attributed the incident to economic saboteurs who fabricated illegal CNG cylinders and have since been arrested by the police. “At this point, let me be clear, that the sole safety incident that occurred in Benin last year was a result of economic saboteurs engaged in illegal fabrication of CNG cylinders and were arrested by the police,” he said.

Mr. Oluwagbemi assured members of the State House correspondents that the incident would not happen again, thanks to the Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System (NGVMS), which is currently being implemented. “With the NGVMS in place, that incident will be avoided as only properly labelled & accredited vehicles with certified tanks will be refueled. The necessary steps to launch NGVMS are ongoing, and we expect it to be in place by year-end,” he said.

The PCNGI CEO also emphasized the importance of regulatory compliance, saying that the initiative would not relent in ensuring the safety of lives and investments of participants in the sector. “This is why we prioritized regulatory standards issuance from the get-go in March 2024 and continue to work with these agencies, especially Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON, & National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC. We enjoin all participants to ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements on safety and security,” he added.

The deployment of new CNG refilling stations is expected to increase the adoption of CNG-powered vehicles in Nigeria, which will help reduce the country’s reliance on petroleum products and promote a cleaner environment. The initiative is also expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the country.

The PCNGI is expected to work with its private sector partners to deploy the new CNG refilling stations across the country. The initiative will also work with regulatory agencies to ensure that all participants in the sector comply with regulatory requirements