The federal government has said that going forward, new filing stations that apply for licenses will only be issued same if the provide pumps for dispensing of Compressed Natutal Gas (CNG).
Executive Director, Distribution System, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, Ogbugo Ukoha, made this known at the Co-Creation Session on Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System, held in Abuja.
“The authority is also engaging the stakeholders that would result in mandating fuel trucks and fleet owners and also facilities to convert to the use of CNG given the high cost of diesel,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, the Coordinator, Regulations, Compliance and Facilitation, Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), Zayyan Tambari, said with the adoption of CNG, the country’s petrol import bill will reduce by at least $4.4 billion annually.
According to him, the target of government was to convert one million diesel and petrol-powered vehicles to start running on CNG and to replace 20 per cent of the current 50 million litres of petrol consumed daily across the country with CNG.
The PCNGI further that about $890 million investment would be required to develop infrastructure for the alternative fuel.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, who was represented by Abel Nsa, said the government would ensure that Nigeria reaps the full benefits of its gas resources.
