The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, has stated that the CNG deployment would be completed by the first quarter of 2024.
He made this comment in a video that the NNPCL shared on important details that Nigerians should be aware of in light of the organization’s most recent deal with Nipco Plc.
The agreement calls for the creation of CNG infrastructure and securing its distribution to Nigerians as an alternative fuel for automobiles after the loss of fuel subsidies raised petrol prices in the country.
According to Kyari, “The CNG implementation would take place in stages, with the first phase to include 21 CNG stations and be completed by the first quarter of 2024, it will boost intra-city transit.
“However, the second phase, consisting of 35 CNG stations, will also be completed in 2024 and enable intercity transport.
He claimed that Nipco Gas now runs 14 CNG stations and has converted over 7,000 vehicles to run on the fuel and that the extra 56 stations that NNPC Retail will deploy across the country would further supplement this.
He said: “Nipco’s technical expertise and practical experience will support the success of this effort and multiply its beneficial effects on the economy of the country.
“This project will free up Nigeria’s plentiful petrol reserves to help Nigerians in a variety of ways, including by providing them with access to cheaper fuel, lowering the cost of transportation, reducing carbon emissions, and generating new businesses and employment possibilities.”
He added that CNG is more secure than fuel and that in order for institutions to permit vehicles carrying these cylinders in their boots to have access, they will keep educating the public about the safety of these cylinders.
Regarding its safety, Kyari stated that safety is assured and guaranteed and that the risk of any combustion is obviously very low.
Additionally, Kyari emphasized that CNG-based transportation has been used in other countries. He claimed that CNG is used in practically all tricycles (keke napep) in India.
He also cited the use of CNG in Pakistan and Indonesia. However, he claimed that due to economic constraints, CNG use has not significantly increased in Africa.
He said: “However, I believe that now we are beginning to understand its benefits, and we will take advantage of them because many things still rely on technology from outside our homes, but we are bringing it in now.”
