The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGi) on Saturday began inspection, distribution and installation of CNG kits to commercial motorists in Ogun.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a total of 500 CNG cylinders and kits were distributed to three centres in the state.
Speaking at one of the conversion centres in Abeokuta, Mr Olugboyegba Ademehin, Director, Vehicle Inspection Services, Ministry of Transportation, said the main concern was to first inspect vehicles that were fit for conversion.
Ademehin said that any vehicle certified okay for conversion would be given a kit for onward conversion.
He said that a total of 60 cylinders, comprising 10 units of 75 litres and 50 units of 65 litres cylinder kits would be distributed at the Ogun Public Works Agency, Agbeloba Centre.
According to him, the 75 litres cylinder can cover up to 150 kilometres journey.
He said that the centre would cater for other members of the public in the coming months.
Speaking on the safety, Ademehin said that the cylinders were moulded and not welded, hence, the thickness, which assured of its strength and fireproof properties.
He said that the cylinders, with 60 millimetres thickness, had been certified by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
The director said that there were two filling stations for the CNG in Abeokuta.
“We, in Ogun state, through the initiative of the governor, have begun conversion before now because we prioritise cleaner environment and that is why we have our CNG buses that have been plying the city.
“We didn’t even know that petrol will be this expensive, and CNG is cheap and cost effective for motorists, and of course, eases transportation costs for the masses,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Ali Manager, the Operations Manager of Nigerian Gas and Transport Solutions Ltd., noted that the gas industry was still being underutilised in Nigeria.
Manager expressed optimism that the CNG initiative would ensure that the country maximised the potential of natural gas resources it possessed.
“Nigeria is blessed with natural gas resources, but it has not fully maximised its potential to satisfy the needs of its citizens.
“CNG will also help the transport sector to deliver cost effective services to the people,” he said.
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In his remarks, Alhaji Ismail Adewale, Chairman, National Union of Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ogun, commended the Federal Government for the initiative.
Adewale said that business had been slow with the hike in price of petrol and diesel, expressing optimism that “things will change in no time”.
He assured that with the use of CNG, the cost of transportation would be reduced, as they increasingly embrace the initiative. (NAN)
