FG begins free conversion of petrol vehicles to CNG in Ibadan, Zaria

The Federal Government has begun the free conversion of petrol-powered commercial vehicles to run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Ibadan, Oyo State, and Zaria, Kaduna State.

In Ibadan, about 100 commercial vehicles were converted at three locations: Mobil filling station on Ibadan-Lagos Expressway, Automation Auto Gas at Podo Industrial Village, and Ajibode Retail outlet on UI-Ojoo road. This initiative, carried out on Saturday, is part of the government’s efforts to ease the impact of fuel subsidy removal and promote cleaner energy.

Louisa Afu, Business Development Executive of the Presidential CNG initiative, stated that the distribution of conversion kits aims to help vehicle owners reduce fuel costs and contribute to a cleaner environment. She assured Nigerians that the initiative would be extended nationwide as part of President Bola Tinubu’s sustainable energy agenda.

“We are here on behalf of the President to provide 150 conversion kits and cylinders for commercial vehicles. This is one of the President’s ways of acknowledging the challenges faced by Nigerians,” Afu said. She added that CNG is a cheaper, safer, and more sustainable fuel option, and highlighted that Nigeria, with its abundant gas reserves, is well-positioned for this transition.

The Vice Chairman and Treasurer of the Park Management System in Oyo State, Ademola Adeoye and Kamorudeen Idowu, praised the initiative, calling it a positive development for the transportation sector.

One CNG user, Sowole Jayeola, noted the financial benefits, sharing that his monthly fuel expenses dropped from N200,000 to N25,000 after converting to CNG. However, he appealed to the government to lower the conversion costs to encourage broader adoption.

In Zaria, the government launched a similar initiative to convert 50 commercial vehicles under the Presidential CNG Initiative, providing free conversion kits for members of transport unions. Dauda Suleiman, the Team Lead for the CNG conversion initiative at the National Institute for Transport Technology, emphasized that CNG is cheaper and more efficient than petrol, with prices ranging from N230 in Abuja to N455 in Kaduna.

Suleiman explained that while the first 50 vehicles would receive free conversion kits, other drivers could access the kits at a reasonable cost. He assured that efforts are being made to expand CNG refueling infrastructure across the country.

Public awareness and education on CNG’s benefits are crucial, Suleiman said, as CNG offers minimal maintenance and significantly reduces fuel costs for drivers. He emphasized that the CNG initiative is a game-changer for Nigeria’s transportation sector.

Lawal Abdullahi, Chairman of the Zaria branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the initiative, noting that CNG conversion would reduce operating costs for commercial vehicle owners and lead to lower transport fares.

In Edo State, the Federal Government also launched the CNG conversion initiative, with Tosin Coker, Head of Commercial at the Presidential CNG Initiative, stating that the goal is to convert one million vehicles nationwide at no cost to vehicle owners. He added that the program is part of President Tinubu’s effort to mitigate the rising cost of petrol and lower transportation expenses, ultimately improving the cost of living for Nigerians.