The Nigerian Federal Government has formally inaugurated a pilot conversion facility for vehicles designed to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG) in the Federal Capital Territory. This initiative is aimed at supporting the government’s CNG program and alleviating the impact of removing subsidies on gasoline by reducing transportation expenses.
This announcement was made in a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Transportation, Olujimi Oyetomi, on Friday.
During the ceremony, Minister of Transportation Said Alkali emphasized that the adoption of a more environmentally friendly energy source like CNG would help revamp the transportation sector. The minister, represented by Acting Director of Road Transport and Mass Transit Administration, Akhidenor Cynthia, noted that greenhouse gas emissions present health risks and severe environmental consequences, and Nigeria must play its part in reducing carbon emissions in the environment.
He stated, “Utilizing a greener energy source like CNG, which Nigeria has in abundance, will reinvigorate the transportation sector in urban areas across the country, aligning Nigeria with global environmental objectives. Greenhouse gas emissions pose health and environmental threats, and as a signatory to greenhouse emission policies, Nigeria must not fall behind in efforts to reduce carbon emissions in the environment.”
Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation/Marine and Blue Economy, encouraged Nigerians to view the conversion of vehicles to CNG as a fresh start and highlighted that the CNG initiative is not solely about converting vehicles but also about generating employment opportunities.