The directive is part of efforts by the Federal Government to expand alternative energy options and reduce transportation costs following the surge in petrol and diesel prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
The Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), Ismaeel Ahmed, disclosed the development to journalists on Tuesday after a meeting with the President in Abuja.
Ahmed said Tinubu is closely monitoring global developments and their potential impact on Nigeria’s energy costs, particularly the effect of the Middle East crisis on transportation.
According to him, the President has directed the Pi-CNG initiative to accelerate the rollout of CNG infrastructure and alternative mobility solutions across the country.
“The President is always seeking updates on what is happening globally, especially with the war in the Middle East and the rising cost of petrol and diesel,” Ahmed said.
“He wanted to know what we are doing at Pi-CNG and EV to scale up the availability of gas and CNG nationwide so that people would face lower transportation costs.”
Ahmed revealed that about 100,000 conversion kits would be deployed within the next two to three weeks, enabling vehicle owners, including tricycle and commercial transport operators, to convert their engines to run on gas.
“So we have about 100,000 kits that we’re going to deploy in the next two to three weeks. The conversion centres will all be bustling with activities,” he said.
He added that the initiative would also fast-track the development of CNG refuelling infrastructure and electric vehicle charging facilities across the country.
According to him, the government is already working on a network of refuelling stations along major transport corridors, particularly in the northern region.
Ahmed disclosed that about 77 CNG refilling stations are currently at different stages of development nationwide.
He cited Kano as an example where two Liquefied Compressed Natural Gas (LCNG) stations are already operational while additional stations are under construction.
The government, he said, also plans to establish refuelling points along major routes stretching from Lokoja through Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria and Kano up to Maiduguri.
Ahmed further revealed that the Pi-CNG initiative is collaborating with local and international manufacturers to support vehicle conversion and the local assembly of CNG-powered and electric vehicles.
According to him, several manufacturers have already expressed interest in establishing assembly lines in Nigeria, a move expected to create jobs and strengthen the local automotive industry.
He added that the programme is also partnering with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to deploy solar-powered charging stations, particularly in off-grid areas, to support the growing use of electric vehicles.
Ahmed noted that Nigerians are increasingly importing electric vehicles, stressing that the government’s priority is to ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place to support their use.
He said the President expects the initiative to deliver quick and practical results, providing Nigerians with cheaper and more sustainable transport alternatives.
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