The Federal Government on Wednesday announced series of activities leading to the anticipated nationwide deployment of its presidential Compressed Natural Gas buses and tricycles to replace the petrol-powered ones on 29 May.
The Federal Executive Council, chaired by President Bola Tinubu had, on Monday, mandated all government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to procure only vehicles and generators powered by the CNG initiative.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Programme Director of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative ((PCNGI), Mr. Michael Oluwagbemi, said the Federal Government would embark on an extensive pre-launch itinerary aimed at engaging stakeholders and showcasing critical gas supply projects to fostering sustainable energy solutions and reducing carbon emissions.
He said: “The PCNGI is embarking on an extensive pre-launch itinerary aimed at engaging stakeholders, showcasing critical gas supply projects, and facilitating the conversion and refuelling infrastructure across the nation”.
Oluwagbenga disclosed that the 15-day itinerary will see them engaging South West stakeholders in Lagos on Wednesday, while the proposed presidential (virtual) commissioning of the critical gas supply projects will run from 15 to 22 May at the NNPC Limited outlets.
On 16 May, the team will embark on an inspection of the Jets and Mikano factory along with representatives from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, labour unions and the media.
A meeting of South-South and South-East stakeholders will be held on 17 May in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, where the launch of affiliate conversion and refuelling will follow at the Femadec site, as well as an inspection tour of Total Energies support station.
The Federal Government also disclosed that it would commence another six-day inspection tour of the Kojo factory at the Enugu-Onitsha site from 24 May to receive the first set of assembled tricycles, buses, cylinders and kits from the regions for the official launch.
Oluwagbenga added that the nation will witness the commissioning of the ‘Luojia Assembly Plant for CNG tricycles on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on 30 May .
“These activities mark significant milestones in our journey towards achieving energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and economic prosperity for Nigeria. The PCNGI is committed to fostering collaboration with all stakeholders as we pave the way for a cleaner, greener future.
“These programmes are a fulfilment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise to drive Nigeria’s energy transition in the transportation sector leveraging CNG and enabling economic growth”, he stated.
