If correctly adopted up, the deal signed by the Presidential Compressed Pure Gasoline Initiative (PCNGI) with 75 conversion companies in the direction of lowering reliance on petrol to energy automobiles could make a distinction between the galloping inflation afflicting Nigerians now, and a steady economic system underneath which residents can depend their blessings. The initiative is a scheme which seeks to broaden using gasoline for fuelling automobiles in Nigeria; and the signing of separate offers with the 75 conversion companies nationwide, is a part of the federal government’s coverage of lowering habit to petrol and diesel. The motion ought to have taken impact a lot earlier, contemplating the present excessive costs of fundamental items and the resultant impact on Nigerians’ value of dwelling. It’s a programme that must be given critical consideration to make sure each security and effectiveness.
The nation’s transfer in the direction of the adoption of Compressed Pure Gasoline (CNG) is a step in the best path, although late; deserves greater than mere rhetoric.
In 2023, the Federal Authorities accepted the presidential CNG Initiative to supply cheaper and cleaner fueling options for the residents.
With the agreements now masking eight states and enlargement set for 9 extra states in eight weeks, the Chief Govt Officer of the organisation, Mr Michael Oluwagbemi, mentioned that within the final 45 days, the workplace has been in a position to distribute over 6,000 to 7,000 conversion kitsacross Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Delta, Kogi, Nasarawa, FCT, and Kaduna states. Later this month, he hoped so as to add 9 extra states, together with Kwara, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Rivers, Enugu, Kano and Niger. That is anticipated to enthrone a cleaner, extra environment friendly, and economically viable future for the nation’s transport sector and certainly the economic system.
Oluwagbemi identified that this may allow the federal government to hit the purpose of 150,000 direct conversions within the subsequent one 12 months, explaining that there have been solely seven conversion centres in Nigeria when the scheme began.
Certainly, the profitable implementation of this initiative is essential to Nigeria, particularly now that President Bola Tinubu has totally deregulated the downstream oil sector. The nation’s overdependence on petrol and diesel has continued to affect badly on its financial stability with the attendant challenges of vitality safety and the results of environmental air pollution.
The usage of petrol and diesel contributes to Nigeria’s greenhouse gasoline (GHG) emissions, thus accelerating local weather change and aggravating international warming dangers akin to rising temperatures, sea ranges, and excessive climate occasions. The CNG might pave the best way for a brand new period of sustainable vitality use in transportation.
This CNG initiative is coming at a time when Nigeria and Nigerians are battling a critical vitality disaster as depicted within the steady surge within the costs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in any other case generally known as petrol.
Information from the Nationwide Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that the typical worth of petrol throughout Nigeria took an upward improve of 32.5 per cent from August 2023 to the identical month in 2024. Right now, the Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Firm Restricted (NNPCL) has previously month, elevated worth of gas by about 15 per cent, as the federal government totally deregulates and adopts the provisions of the Petroleum Trade Act.
Painfully, this skyrocketing gas worth has affected each house in Nigeria and put costs of products and providers above board and past the attain of extraordinary Nigerians, prompting widespread criticism.
Nevertheless, the shift to CNG aligns with Nigeria’s broader objectives of financial resilience, vitality independence, and environmental sustainability. By lowering reliance on conventional fossil fuels, that are largely imported, CNG might save Nigeria billions yearly and foster job creation by the event of CNG infrastructure.
Its decrease carbon footprint additionally helps the nation’s dedication to international local weather motion and the Sustainable Growth Targets (SDGs).
With considerable pure gasoline reserves and a rising emphasis on lowering carbon emissions, CNG presents a viable various to conventional fossil fuels. The necessity to think about various sources of gas, primarily CNG and electrical energy for electrical automobiles, has change into extra necessary than ever.
With its decrease GHG emissions in comparison with diesel and petrol, CNG presents a compelling resolution. The institution of extra CNG refuelling stations and mom stations, together with developments in compression know-how, will facilitate the environment friendly distribution and utilisation of CNG. This infrastructure progress will even help the enlargement of CNG-powered automobiles and industries, additional driving demand.
In response to analysts, the way forward for CNG in Nigeria is crammed with alternatives. They submitted that the potential for exporting CNG to neighbouring nations additionally presents an avenue for financial diversification and elevated overseas change earnings. Nigeria’s strategic place in West Africa and its considerable pure gasoline reserves place the nation as a possible chief within the regional CNG market. The CNG challenge is nonetheless threatened by distrust and poor infrastructure. There are additionally considerations about its security, which the promoters have accomplished nothing or little to handle simply because the conversion value is unaffordable to a median motorist.
Simply yesterday, there was a viral video of a CNG automobile that exploded at a NIPCO station in Benin, Edo State. The Presidential CNG Initiative claimed that the automobile was illegally modified, including {that a} shut examination of the cylinder in query in Benin Metropolis exhibits it was welded and modified and never accepted to be used for CNG. The chance of comparable incidents taking place is imminent with out an intentional marketing campaign to enlighten customers in regards to the dangers and advantages of CNG.
Because the nation strives to diversify its vitality sources and cut back its environmental affect, CNG stands out as a vital part of this transition. With continued funding in infrastructure, supportive authorities insurance policies, and rising consciousness of its advantages, CNG can considerably contribute to Nigeria’s financial improvement and environmental sustainability.
President Tinubu and his staff should be certain that this challenge doesn’t fail. All the things required for profitable implementation, particularly infrastructure must be put in place throughout the nation. Nigeria can borrow from skilled nations akin to India, which has one of many largest CNG networks on the planet; Brazil, the place CNG is a part of a various vitality combine because the nation has efficiently built-in it into its transport sector, notably in city areas the place environmental rules are stricter.
Additional, there must be a large organising of CNG websites throughout the nation, not simply in Lagos and Abuja. It’s heartwarming that NNPC is planning to arrange three LNG stations and over 100 CNG websites, however there must be irresistible incentives for extra personal investments, given the urgency.
Apart from, the vary limitation of CNG automobiles and the necessity for frequent refuelling makes the ubiquity of CNG stations extra compelling. In the end, the authorities ought to encourage the native institution of corporations to fabricate CNG automobiles and faucet totally the nation’s potential within the gasoline and prepared market. It should additionally guarantee adherence to the brand new regulatory system and guarantee full compliance for the security of all.
