Tinubu directs deployment of 100,000 CNG conversion kits nationwide

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President Bola Tinubu has directed the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG) to deploy about 100,000 vehicle conversion kits nationwide.

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The directive is aimed at expanding access to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a cheaper and cleaner alternative to petrol.

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The Executive Chairman of PiCNG, Mr Ismael Ahmed, disclosed this after a closed-door meeting with the President on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

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Ahmed said the president requested an update on the progress of the initiative and measures to cushion the effects of rising global petroleum prices.

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According to him, the president is particularly concerned about the impact of tensions in the Middle East on fuel costs.

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“The President wanted to know what we are doing at PiCNG to scale up the availability of gas across the country.

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“He has given a direct mandate that we should immediately deploy about 100,000 conversion kits,” he said.

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Ahmed said the kits would enable vehicle owners and tricycle operators to convert their engines from petrol to CNG.

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He added that the deployment would begin within the next two to three weeks.

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“The conversion centres across the country will be bustling with activities as we begin large-scale vehicle conversions.

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Ahmed said the initiative was also accelerating infrastructure development to support gas and electric mobility.

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According to him, the government is working to expand refuelling stations and charging infrastructure across key transport corridors.

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“We currently have about 77 refuelling stations at various stages of development across the country.”

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He noted that Kano already had two Liquefied Compressed Natural Gas stations, with additional daughter stations under development.

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Ahmed said the infrastructure rollout would extend along major routes from Lokoja to Abuja, Kaduna and Zaria, and further to Kano and Maiduguri.

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He added that the initiative was also promoting electric mobility as part of the broader clean energy transition.

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According to him, the government is partnering with local and international manufacturers to encourage the assembly of electric vehicles in Nigeria.

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Ahmed said the initiative was also collaborating with the Rural Electrification Agency to deploy solar-powered charging stations in off-grid locations.

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He said the president expects the initiative to deliver quick results that will reduce transportation costs and improve mobility for Nigerians. (NAN)

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