The Federal Government said on Friday that 7 CNG conversation centres have been established in the country through the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative Steering Committee.
The Times reported that the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Zacch Adedeji, made this known during the commencement of the much-anticipated CNG initiative with the handing over of two CNG buses to the State House, Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusesan Adebiyi, at the presidential villa in Abuja.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, represented Adedeji, who is also the interim Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service
He stated that the establishment of the CNG conversion centres demonstrated President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s determination to leading the country’s energy revolution.
Adedeji stated that more CNG conversion centres would be constructed across the country, calling the endeavour a critical milestone in the country’s road towards a cleaner and more prosperous future.
He went on to say that the effort was about more than just talking about cars; it was also about creating jobs.
Adedeji stated that FIRS would waive VAT on CNG purchases and seek duty exemptions along the value chain.
He claimed that the goal was to create a sustainable future by utilising the country’s cheap and clean energy supply.
According to him, it also reflects Tinubu’s dedication to environmental sustainability and economic prosperity.
“These CNG buses that will be handed over to the State House are the vanguard of a future where energy is cleaner and more economical,” he remarked.
Adedeji thanked the President and everyone involved in the project for their help.
“I’m happy to announce that there are currently seven conversion centers in Nigeria, and the government is actively working to establish more of them,” he stated. The effort will begin implementing these strategies this afternoon.
“This endeavour is about more than just converting automobiles; it is also about creating jobs. It displays President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to environmental sustainability as well as economic progress.”
He said, “Furthermore, it gives me great pleasure to declare that we will be requesting duty exemptions for value-chain and waiving the Value Added Tax on CNG purchases in my capacity as your Chief Tax Officer, which I hold in conjunction with my role as Chairman of this initiative.
“The goal is to create a sustainable future by leveraging our own low-cost, clean energy source, gas.”
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the event marked a new chapter in Nigeria’s history as the country continues its gradual shift from petroleum to gas-powered cars.
He stated that universities would be the first to benefit from the buses and that all state governments would participate.
“Nigeria is a gas country, not a crude oil country; 70% or so of our hydrocarbon is gas.” So, why are we devoting all of our time and effort to crude oil?
“Today marks a watershed moment for us because President Tinubu has made the bold decision to transition from petroleum to petrol.” This is the first step towards a huge shift.”
The Managing Director of OMAA Motors, Mr Chinedu Oguegbu, a Nigerian automotive manufacturer, thanked Tinubu for the effort.
He went on to say, “Aside from connecting with the energy transition, we are also deepening industrialization by patronizing made-in-Nigeria vehicles.”This will extend beyond the natural gas value chain. This will result in thousands of new jobs for the youths.”
