By Joke Kujenya
GROUP CHIEF Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mallam Mele Kyari, announced the irreversible drive to make Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) accessible to Nigerians.
During the simultaneous commissioning of 12 CNG stations in Abuja and Lagos, Kyari highlighted the massive deployment of CNG stations nationwide. Additionally, NNPC Ltd and its partners plan to build three Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) stations in Ajaokuta.
“There is simply no way to turn back on delivering CNG for all Nigerians. It is the right thing to do. Is it late? Yes, but we will make progress, we will cover the gap in order to ensure that the volatility we see with Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) does not apply to gas,” Kyari stated.
The GCEO praised President Bola Tinubu for supporting domestic gas utilization, aiming to provide cleaner and cheaper energy sources to Nigerians.
Kyari reassured that NNPC Ltd would continue to deliver more strategic gas projects, aligning with the Presidential CNG Initiative to bring prosperity to all Nigerians, and reaffirmed the NNPC’s commitment to ensuring national energy security.
At the event, Managing Director of NNPC Retail Limited, Mr. Huub Stokman, revealed plans to launch over 100 CNG sites within the next year, including 16 NNPC Gas Marketing and NIPCO Gas JV sites.
Stokman emphasized that CNG offers affordable alternatives to existing fuel products, predicting it would be about 40% cheaper than petrol in Nigeria and highlighting its potential as a significant part of the energy mix with continued investments.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, noted that commissioning the stations would provide economic benefits by creating jobs and stimulating local economies while contributing to national goals of reducing emissions and combating climate change.
NNPC Board of Directors Chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure, added that increased CNG adoption would economically benefit consumers and businesses by reducing fuel costs.
Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Abuja, Olufemi Soneye, in a July 4th, 2024 release, stated that following the removal of fuel subsidy and the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiatives, NNPC Limited has led the deployment of Auto-CNG Stations across Nigeria.
NNPC Gas Marketing Limited, a subsidiary of NNPC Limited, in partnership with NIPCO Gas Limited, has developed an Auto-CNG rollout plan for constructing 35 CNG stations across Nigeria’s geographical zones.
