FG Plans To Roll Out 150 New CNG Stations Within 18 Months – Presidential Initiative
By The9JaTREND
The Chief Executive of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), Michael Oluwagbemi, has stated that the Initiative is committed to making sure Nigerians have easy access to refueling.
Oluwagbemi who disclosed this during press conference at the Presidential Villa today said, “To further bolster this base infrastructure, we have coopted our private sector partners to deploy over 150 new refueling locations in the next 18 months.
“NNPC have already deployed 12 sites, with 8 to go this quarter, and approval for additional 100 sought and secured for the next 18-24 months. NIPCO has imported equipment for 32 daughter station sites with 22 in operation and 8 under construction.
”Bovas has 8 under construction and AY Shafa has completed one with 9 under construction. Entities like Ibile Oil and Gas, MBH and Mikano are also investing in not just daughter stations but also mother stations.”
The Initiative also reacted to the explosion involving a CNG vehicle in Benin, Edo State capital, last year, saying it was caused by economic saboteurs.
In October last year, a CNG-powered vehicle exploded at the NIPCO filling station in Aduwawa, Benin, Edo State.
The incident left three persons injured, including a motorist who was said to have suffered an eye injury.
Going further, Oluwagbemi said the government is committed to making sure that the initiative works for the good of Nigerians.
He said, “At this point let me be clear, that the SOLE safety incident that occurred in Benin last year was a result of economic saboteurs engaged in illegal fabrication of CNG cylinders and were arrested by the police.
“With NGVMS in place that incident will be avoided as only properly labelled & accredited vehicles with certified tanks will be refueled. The necessary steps to launch NGVMS are ongoing, and we expect it to be in place by year end.”
“We won’t relent in ensuring the safety of lives and investments of participants in the sector, this was why we prioritized regulatory standards issuance from the get go in March 2024 and continue to work with these agencies especially SON & NADDC. We enjoin all participants to ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements on safety and security,” He promised.
