One hundred and fifty Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) new refueling stations are to be set up in the next 18 months
The Chief Executive of the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI), Michael Oluwagbemi, announced this on Monday in Abuja.
He said this is to ensure that Nigerians have easy access to refueling. adding that
Oluwagbemi said private sector partners would be deployed to set up the 150 new refueling locations in the next 18 months.
He said the “NNPC has already deployed 12 sites, with eight more to go this quarter, and approval for additional 100 sought and secured for the next 18-24 months. NIPCO has imported equipment for 32 daughter station sites with 22 in operation and 8 under construction.
“Bovas has eight under construction and AY Shafa has completed one with nine under construction. Entities like Ibile Oil and Gas, MBH and Mikano are also investing in not just daughter stations but also mother stations.”
He accused economic saboteurs for being responsible for the CNG vehicle explotion in Benin, Edo State capital, last year.
In October last year, a CNG-powered vehicle exploded at the NIPCO filling station in Aduwawa, Benin, Edo State wounding three persons injured, including a motorist who was said to have suffered an eye injury.
Oluwagbemi said the government is committed to making sure that the initiative works for the good of Nigerians.
He said, “At this point let me be clear, that the SOLE safety incident that occurred in Benin last year was a result of economic saboteurs engaged in illegal fabrication of CNG cylinders and were arrested by the police.
“With NGVMS in place that incident will be avoided as only properly labelled & accredited vehicles with certified tanks will be refueled. The necessary steps to launch NGVMS are ongoing, and we expect it to be in place by year end.
“We won’t relent in ensuring the safety of lives and investments of participants in the sector, this was why we prioritized regulatory standards issuance from the get go in March 2024 and continue to work with these agencies especially SON & NADDC. We enjoin all participants to ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements on safety and security.”
