The federal government has recently entered into Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with four Conversion Partners to convert one million petroleum vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) by 2027.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal on the general public.
Michael Oluwagbemi, the Programme Director of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (P-CNGi) initiative, announced the new development during the program’s launch in Ogun State over the weekend. At the event, free CNG conversion kits were presented to the participating partners.
Oluwagbemi highlighted that the conversion program aims to foster a cleaner, safer, and more reliable environment while addressing the challenges posed by fuel subsidy removal. He encouraged stakeholders, especially transport unions, to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the program for the benefit of all.
In an interview with journalists following the distribution of the free conversion kits, Oluwagbemi detailed that beneficiaries for the conversion program will be selected through nominations from three major transport unions: the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), as well as Uber, Bolt, and Oval drivers, among others.
He noted, “Fifty nominees from each of the three major transport unions will utilize these four conversion centers. Once the conversions are completed, these vehicles will be able to refuel at any CNG refueling station, allowing for extended travel using gas.”
Oluwagbemi further explained that the Presidential Conversion Incentive Programme has significantly expanded since its inception in 2023. The initiative has signed MoUs with 60 conversion partners for centers across seven states, a considerable increase from the seven centers available last year.
He added, “Currently, we have identified 123 conversion centers, with 60 having signed up. We are planning to activate additional centers in cities like Lagos, Edo, and Delta, with Kwara State already having one site in operation and more to follow.”
The goal, according to Oluwagbemi, is to add two new conversion centers daily across Nigeria over the next year to achieve the target of converting one million vehicles as set by the President.
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