The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi) has commenced visits to key vehicle assembly plants as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to boost the use of CNG-powered vehicles in Nigeria.
On Wednesday, the PCNGi team evaluated the capacity of major car manufacturing partners in the country. Michael Oluwagbemi, Programme Director and CEO of PCNGi, highlighted Mikano Car Assembly Plant in Ogun State as a key partner committed to supporting the government’s move to migrate to CNG automobiles.
“At the Mikano factory, we have seen not just capacity but the utilization of gas, which the president has emphasized. This factory runs on gas 24/7, demonstrating that gas can power both the transportation sector and the economy,” said Oluwagbemi.
He acknowledged that many Nigerians are still skeptical about CNG’s efficiency and cost-effectiveness but assured that it works well and is economical.
Oluwagbemi mentioned that other manufacturers are also ensuring the project’s objectives are met, with inspections scheduled at various locations, including Victoria Island, Lekki, and Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
“Nigeria, with a population of 220 million, should not rely on imports for all its materials. We are now utilizing our natural gas resources for industrialization,” he stated.
Mikano International Chairman Mofid Karameh affirmed the company’s commitment to supporting the government’s CNG and electric vehicle initiatives. He noted that the removal of fuel subsidies has increased gas usage, saving foreign exchange for the country.
Karameh predicted that within six months, at least 30% of vehicles should be CNG-powered, citing examples from countries like Egypt, Pakistan, and Italy.
Oluwagbemi emphasized the importance of leveraging Nigeria’s vast gas reserves to drive industrialization and transportation, rather than importing petroleum products.
“There is nothing that Nigerians cannot achieve. While there will be hiccups and issues, we will address them and move forward as a nation. This is the decade of gas, and we will improve and increase confidence in this initiative,” he concluded.
