By Patrick Idowu
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGI) has announced plans to collaborate with a private sector partner to establish a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Park in Ajaokuta, Kogi State.
The initiative aims to enhance local manufacturing, create jobs, and reduce dependence on imported conversion kits.
P-CNGI Programme Director, Michael Oluwagbemi, made this known on Thursday at the launch of five Mini Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Plants in Ajaokuta.
He described Kogi’s transformation into a major gas hub as a significant step towards deepening domestic gas utilization in line with the Federal Government’s Gas Revolution Agenda (GRA).
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and its partners flagged off the 97 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d) LNG plants, including NNPC Prime LNG, NGML/Gasnexus LNG, BUA LNG, Highland LNG, and LNG Arete.
The event, themed “From Gas to Prosperity: Catalysing Nigeria’s Economic Growth,” marked the beginning of construction on the projects.
Oluwagbemi emphasized that Kogi State’s strategic location, bordering 10 states, makes it ideal for efficient gas distribution.
He also highlighted P-CNGI’s efforts to transition Nigeria to CNG as a cheaper, efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative to petrol.
Since its inception in 2023, P-CNGI has converted over 190 centres for CNG vehicle adaptation, with 56 retail outlets now dispensing CNG.
With a combined public and private investment exceeding $470 million, the initiative aims to expand to 500 conversion centres and 150 CNG retail outlets by year-end.
He further noted that Mini-LNG plants would help address gas accessibility challenges in the North East and North West while awaiting the completion of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline.
Commending the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, and NNPC Ltd. Group CEO, Mele Kyari, for their leadership in advancing Nigeria’s gas agenda, Oluwagbemi reaffirmed the commitment to a sustainable energy future.
The initiative aligns with the “Decade of Gas” agenda to boost domestic gas supply, promote LNG and CNG adoption, and expand energy in frastructure.
