The Federal Government on Sunday, commenced the first phase of free conversion of petrol-powered commercial vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The exercise, according to the Business Development Executive, Presidential CNG, Louisa Afu, was part of the government’s efforts to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy and promote cleaner energy.
While speaking in Ibadan, Afu said that the conversion process, which is being carried out by certified technicians, involves the installation of CNG kits in vehicles, allowing them to run on natural gas instead of petrol.
According to her, the free conversion exercise is expected to benefit many vehicle owners in Ibadan and its environs, who will not only reduce their fuel costs but contribute to a cleaner environment.
While assuring Nigerians that the exercise will be extended to other parts of the country, as part of President Tinubu’s commitment towards promoting sustainable energy solutions, Afu aid: “We are here on behalf of the President to hand over 150 conversion kits and cylinders, these kits are to be used by commercial vehicles, this is one of the ways the President has said he feels the pains of Nigerians.
“CNG is a proper and better option, gas is cheaper, sustainable and safer, Nigeria is a gas country because we have more gas than oil, gas is more sustainable, we have refilling stations in Ibadan, and more of them are still coming up, every vehicle from 1996 till date can be converted from petrol to CNG”.
The Vice Chairman and Treasurer of the Park Management System (PMS) in Oyo state, Alhaji Ademola Adeoye, and Com. Kamorudeen Idowu, both thanked President Tinubu for the initiative, describing it as a welcome development in the transport sector as cost will be reduced.
Testifying to the benefits of CNG conversion, a user, Dr. Sowole Jayieola, said, “I converted my car last two months, it is the best way to go. I used to spend between N20,000 to N250,000 monthly on petrol, but now that I’ve converted to CNG, I now spend between N25,000 to N26,000 monthly”, he said
