Engr. Mike Oluwagbemi, Program Director of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi), has provided a comprehensive update on the ongoing developments in Nigeria’s CNG sector and underscored the pressing need for the country to transition away from petrol.
He made this known on Tuesday while appearing as a guest on interview on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily.
He said as of today, Nigeria boasts 123 conversion workshops dedicated to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion. This significant number reflects the country’s growing commitment to adopting alternative energy sources amid the financial strain imposed by petrol subsidies and fluctuations in global oil markets.
Engr. Oluwagbemi highlighted the economic imperative of this transition, stating, “The nation is being bankrupted by petrol; we need to move to gas.” His remarks underscore the urgent need for Nigeria to shift towards more sustainable and economically viable energy solutions.
Over the past seven months, there has been an impressive $75 million investment in the CNG sector. Engr. Oluwagbemi emphasized that these investments are a testament to the sector’s potential and the government’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s energy infrastructure. “These are significant investments,” he noted, pointing to the growing interest and financial support for CNG initiatives.
The CNG program is not just a standalone project; it represents an interdisciplinary approach that involves various government ministries and agencies. Engr. Oluwagbemi explained that the initiative does not fall solely under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Instead, it requires a collaborative effort, drawing on expertise from multiple sectors to ensure its success. This approach reflects the complexity of transitioning to a new energy source and the need for coordinated efforts across different governmental departments.
