The Federal Government has officially unveiled the Conversion Incentive Programme in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, marking a significant step towards diversifying the transportation sector and reducing oil dependency in the state.
Unveiling the programme in a brief ceremony at Nsik Motors Terminal, Itam, Uyo, on Friday, the Programme Director and Chief Executive of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, Michael Oluwagbemi, stated that the initiative is aimed at mitigating the financial burden caused by the fuel subsidy removal.
Oluwagbemi, who was represented at the event by the head of Commercials, Mr Tosin Coker, added that the inauguration was a pilot project designed to bring about a new benchmark for CNG vehicle conversion and training in the state.
“The Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG) is part of the relief measures by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to assist Nigerians facing the challenges following the removal of the fuel subsidy by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
”The inaugurates today will bring a new benchmark for CNG conversion and training in Akwa Ibom State,” he said.
He disclosed that the federal government, through the programme, is making kits and cylinders available to all commercial vehicles through accredited Conversion Centres, adding that the conversion would be done free of charge.
“What the government is doing through the P-CNGi is making available this conversion to all commercial transporters commercial vehicles for free.
“So Mr President has directed, and this government will make the kits and cylinder available to all commercial vehicles through accredited conversion centres, and the conversion will be done free of charge.”
He called on the transport unions in the country, including state and local entities, to key into the Initiative for cleaner, safer and more reliable modes of transport.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chairman of Nsik Oil and Gas Limited, Nsikan Johnny, appreciated the federal government for the initiative and encouraged Nigerians to view the conversion of vehicles to CNG as a big relief to lessen the economic hardship occasioned by the removal of the fuel subsidy.
While affirming his commitment to promoting clean energy based on sustainability and integrity, Johnny assured the citizens of a daughter station across the state even as he emphasised the company’s landmark development of a compressed natural gas mother station, which shall be commissioned soon in Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
“We shall commence training of indigenes of our state here immediately, and as partners of the PCNGI, we shall consolidate our value chain infrastructure in the gas industry to drive this initiative.
“As a focused player in the industry, our immediate strategy is to provide relief to Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians in general, as we aim to establish three mobile dispensers within the next six months and utilise mobile systems to transport CNG to power vehicles in the meantime that will enhance operations, which will evolve into mother-and-daughter stations across the state.” He said.
In his message of goodwill, the state Commissioner for Transport in Akwa Ibom State, Orman Esin, who was represented by the Director of Transport, Bassey Akpanonong, highlighted the state government’s delight to have Presidential CNG Initiative, stating that it would be a successful energy transition for the people of the state.
Other goodwill messages were delivered by the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers.
The event’s high point was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between PCNGi, Nsik Oil and Gas, and two others.
