By Kehinde Erin
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has commended the Federal Government’s ambitious plan to convert one million vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) by 2027, hailing it as a laudable and forward-thinking initiative.
The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Mrs. Folashade Ayoade, expressed his commendation in Lokoja recently at a stakeholders themed During Sustainable Energy: “the Future of CNG in Kogi State”, jointly organized by the Kogi State Government and Automotive Gas Nigeria Services Limited (AUTOGAS Nigeria).
Ododo said: “Kogi, like other parts of the world is being faced with the challenges of reducing carbon emissions, and mitigating environmental degradation caused by conventional fossil fuel vehicles.
“The adoption of CNG readily presents an opportunity to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and promote energy efficiency.
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“Today’s gathering is a testimony to our strong shared commitment to even development and the advancement of key energy solutions in Kogi and the entire nation.”
“The adoption of CNG readily presents an opportunity to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and promote energy efficiency”, the governor said.
Meanwhile, the Governor reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to creating a supportive and enabling environment, essential for the program’s triumph and optimal impact.
In his address, Babajide Awolowo, Strategic Business Education Adviser for the Presidential Initiative on CNG programme, revealed in his remarks that the CNG sector has received a significant investment of 50 million U.S. dollars, mobilised directly to support its development.
“We have set an ambitious target of 1 million vehicle conversions by 2027 for ourselves at presidential initiative on CNG (Pi-CNG) because powering our vehicles by using our God given resource has become imperative.
“President Bola Tinubu made one of the boldest pronouncements ever made by a government on May 29, 2023, by stating that subsidy was gone.
“As you know, subsidy on PMS has been in place in Nigeria since 1977, and has contributed to years of budget deficits, significant leakages, and corruption, while also impacting the effectiveness of our economy.
“This decision was a challenging one as it automatically led to an increase in fuel price but the CNG is believed to be a cheaper, more cost efficient and cleaner alternative that should be introduced to Nigerians.
“This is because Nigeria has an estimated 206.5 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of proven gas reserves, as the 9th largest in the world. In lay man’s terms “That is a lot of gas,” he said.
He revealed that the federal government has entered into a partnership with a private entity to develop a CNG Park in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, providing a convenient and accessible refueling point for motorists traversing the state to connect the northern and southern parts of Nigeria.
He further stated that Kogi State’s strategic location makes it an ideal spot for CNG service points, positioning it as a lucrative destination for investments in major CNG infrastructure, with promising returns on investment.
