Tag: CNG conversion centres

The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGI) on Wednesday announced that the CNG conversion centres in the country are now 170.

It was upbeat that the 170 CNG conversion centres in Nigeria would increase to 200 at the end of December 2024.

The centres hit 170 with the commissioning of Portland Gas Conversion centres in Kado, Abuja.

Speaking with reporters, the PCNGI Chief Executive, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, said the P-CNGI which has doubled its target for 2024, is hopeful of hitting 500 conversion centres next year.

His words: “Before the end of this year, I promise in the next two weeks, we will get to 200. We are already looking for and certifying at least an additional 35 to 40 on our record.

“I believe we will get to 40 at the end of this year. And that is double our target.  You remember this time last year, I told you our target was 100 and now 200.

“Next year, we have set a target of 500 for us and I believe we will blow.”

He recalled that from the seven conversion centres of 2023, there are now 170 centres in Nigeria.

According to him, all the conversion centres are owned by private-sector investors.

“We went from seven conventional centres, that with these now, I easily would say we are around 170.

“So today, from seven to 170, there is not a single one of those that were built by the Federal Government of Nigeria,” he said.

He urged Portland Gas Limited to increase its working hours from 24 to the present 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the Portland Gas Limited, Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Folajimi Mohammed said the workshop which opens 12 hours daily, can convert a car within one hour.

He said it is a full state-of-the-art centre, comprising the mechanical, electrical, calibration, and of course which cannot be done without gas.

He said: “So what we do here is a Turkey solution, where from the conversion part of it, you can make sure that when you leave here within an hour, thereabouts, you are able to make sure that you have a fully converted CNG car.

“And when I mean fully converted CNG car, I mean, it is still a hybrid. You can have the option to switch from petrol to gas where you want to.”

According to him, the tanks that are presently installed in the vehicles are durable for 20 years.

He said since the infrastructure is limited in the country, it is advisable to convert the vehicles in a manner they can use other fuels in addition to CNG.

Mohammed said, “We know the gas infrastructure is just about to improve. “Well, for now, what we have, the limited availability of the infrastructure, by making sure that you don’t do 100% conversion. I can always switch to petrol in the event of any emergencies.”

He said being methane, the gas is very safe as it is lighter than air.

Besides, Oluwagbemi said a free interstate transportation will be provided in the Federal Capital Territory between during the Yuletide.

According to him, six buses will be added to the fleet.

Read Also: ‘125 CNG conversion centres activated across states’

He said, “You know in Abuja today we have 16 buses running Gwagwalada to Keffi and Nyanya as well as in Nigeria that project is already ongoing and it will be expanded to interstate this week.

“We are going to put additional six buses to run interstate here in Abuja and neighbouring cities. We are just providing free transportation programme during the yuletide period.”

Speaking, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Suleiman Halilu recalled that the CNG journey started a long time ago.

He added that the CNG of Portland is a first of its kind in terms of partnership and private sector.

He said in the partnership, the government provides the policy, infrastructure, and intellectual property.

“While you have government investing with policy, some of the infrastructure and intellectual property,” he said.

The Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’id Ahmed Alkali, has charged the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) to establish Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion centres across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The minister gave the directive on the occasion of the 2024 NITT Management Retreat and the launch of the NITT CNG conversion and training E-Booking system on Tuesday, October 8, in Kaduna.

Declaring the retreat open, the minister said: “You will agree with me that the theme of this retreat, “Realigning NITT’s Vision with Performance Management System (PMS) and the Dynamics of the Transport Industry,” is both timely and crucial, as we navigate the evolving landscape of the transport sector.”

He said the transport sector is a critical enabler of the economy which connects people, facilitates trade, and drives national development.

“However, to realize its full potential as a nation, we must embrace a robust Performance Management System (PMS) that aligns with our vision for a modern, efficient, and sustainable transport infrastructure.

“As we stand at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, it is imperative that we take a hard look at where we are and where we need to be. The transport industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven largely by technological advancements, changing consumer behaviours, and global economic shifts. It is our responsibility therefore to ensure that NITT not only keeps pace with these changes but also leads the way in shaping the future of transportation in Nigeria and beyond.”

He reiterated that the implementation of a Performance Management System (PMS) is not just a bureaucratic exercise but also a crucial strategic necessity.

“PMS will provide us with the tools to measure our progress, identify areas for improvement, and recognize excellence within our ranks. It will also help us align individual and departmental goals with the lofty vision of NITT and the Ministry of Transportation, ensuring that every member of our team is rowing in the same direction.

“To this end, NITT must position itself as the premier institution for transport training, research, and innovation in Africa. You must produce graduates who are not just job-seekers, but job-creators, innovators who will revolutionize our transport systems, and leaders who will shape transport policies for generations to come.

The dynamics of the transport industry demand nothing less than our full commitment to excellence. We are witnessing the rise of electric vehicles, the potential of autonomous transportation, and the increasing importance of sustainable and green transport solutions. NITT must be at the forefront of some of these developments, not just observing but actively contributing to their advancement in the Nigerian context.

“In line with this commitment to innovation and sustainability, and with the challenges that came with the recent removal of petrol subsidy, NITT, I am proud to announce, is now a centre for converting petrol-based vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). To this end, they have engaged with the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi) and have also developed and commissioned conversion centres in Abuja and Zaria, with work underway in several other states. This strategic move aligns perfectly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision and the changing landscape of transportation in Nigeria and indeed globally.”

“I have considered it necessary to charge the NITT to establish the CNG conversion centres in the 36 states of the Federation to maximize the potential of this laudable initiative of the Tinubu-led administration.

Read Also: FG’s six free CNG conversion centres for vehicles in Lagos

“May I at this juncture, urge each of you to commit to the roles outlined in our performance bond. As you are aware, this bond is not merely a document; it represents our collective commitment to accountability and excellence. It sets clear expectations for each department and agency under the Federal Ministry of Transportation, ensuring that we work towards common goals.

“You must equally note that implementing PMS will not be without its challenges, as change is never easy. I am however confident that with your dedication and expertise, we can create a system that is fair, transparent, and effective. The future of transportation in Nigeria will to a large extent depend on some of the decisions we make and the actions we take during and after this retreat” he stressed.

Earlier, Dr. Bayero Farah, NITT’s Director General, expressed the institute’s readiness to spearhead transport sector reforms, stating that the retreat’s theme, “Realigning NITT’s Vision with Performance Management System (PMS) and the Dynamics of the Transport Industry,” reflects the institute’s commitment to excellence.

Farah assured that NITT will continue to lead in transport technology and innovation, driving growth and development in Nigeria’s transport sector.