By Hauwa Ali, Fatima Saka
President Bola Tinubu has affirmed his administration’s dedication to harnessing Nigeria’s abundant gas resources for domestic use, processing, and international export.
He emphasized that his primary mission is to restructure the nation’s economy to facilitate substantial growth.
This commitment was underscored during a meeting on Friday with the Board and Management of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited at the State House, Abuja.
The President vowed to swiftly eliminate any obstacles hindering entrepreneurial progress and development, especially in the Oil & Gas sector.
His aim is to create more opportunities for Nigerian companies and international partners to thrive.
“It is now a collaborative effort in thinking and doing. We will work with all partners to redefine the future of our economy,” stated the President during the meeting with the NLNG delegation, led by NLNG Board Chairman, His Royal Majesty, King Edmund Daukuru of Nembe Kingdom, and NLNG Managing Director, Dr. Philip Mshelbila.
President Tinubu highlighted the critical role of natural gas as Nigeria’s pathway to sustainable development and prosperity.
He pledged to establish a partnership with investors that would ensure job opportunities and skill development for Nigerian youths, with a particular focus on oil and gas-producing regions.
“It is all about growing the pie so that Nigerians will benefit,” emphasized the President.
He also stressed that “skill development will help the many restive youths who need to be carried along and employed. Their lives need to be more predictable and prosperous.”
Acknowledging the challenges faced by NLNG, especially regarding security, President Tinubu affirmed that stakeholders, including host communities and security agencies, would play central roles in resolving contentious issues.
The goal is to enable more peaceful and profitable operations on a sustainable basis.
In another development on Friday, the President officially approved the establishment of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), a strategic response aimed at mitigating the effects of fuel subsidy removal and reducing energy costs for Nigerians.
The PCNGI is a transformative program set to revolutionize the country’s transportation sector. It has ambitious goals, including the deployment of over 11,500 new CNG-enabled vehicles and the distribution of 55,000 CNG conversion kits for existing petrol-dependent vehicles.
Simultaneously, the initiative will focus on promoting local manufacturing, assembly, and job creation, aligning with the President’s directives.
Key elements of the initiative include:
Empowering Workshops Programme: The PCNGI will establish a nationwide network of workshops to support the adoption of CNG technology. This will significantly reduce transit costs for Nigerians, especially in the short term.
Local Assembly and Job Creation: The initiative aims to provide workshops across all geopolitical zones and states, equipping them with essential kits and offering comprehensive training to newly employed staff.
This approach will create opportunities for technical skill development and generate employment for Nigerians.
The PCNGI’s strategic objectives include:
Development of intrastate mass transit systems based on CNG.
Support for states to integrate CNG buses into their intrastate mass transit networks through various means, including wholesale conversion, retrofitting, and new purchases.
Deployment of CNG buses in collaboration with existing private mass transit operators, including innovative asset finance programs.
Incentivizing investors to participate in CNG processing, distribution, and utilization by offering incentives to stimulate investment and partnerships.
Providing training and technology transfer to support the after-sales services and maintenance sub-industry, leading to sustainable job creation.
President Tinubu’s emphasis on assembling CNG-enabled vehicles within Nigeria is expected to stimulate economic growth, generate employment opportunities, and strengthen the nation’s automotive manufacturing capabilities.
The PCNGI has garnered the attention of experts in the fields of energy, transportation, and economic development.
Dr. Amina Hassan, a renowned energy economist and lecturer at the University of Lagos, shared her insights on the potential impact of the PCNGI.
Dr. Hassan commended the initiative, emphasizing that “the PCNGI comes at a crucial juncture for Nigeria. As the country grapples with the removal of fuel subsidies and the increasing need for sustainable energy solutions, the introduction of compressed natural gas as an alternative fuel source for transportation is a commendable step.”
She further elaborated on the economic implications of the initiative, stating, “One of the most promising aspects of the PCNGI is its focus on local assembly and job creation. By investing in the production of CNG-enabled vehicles within Nigeria, we can expect to see a boost in domestic manufacturing capabilities. This, in turn, will lead to increased employment opportunities and contribute to our overall economic development.”
Dr. Hassan also stressed the importance of reducing carbon emissions, noting, “The global community is increasingly recognizing the need to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Utilizing domestic natural gas resources for transportation aligns with international environmental goals. It positions Nigeria as a responsible player in the fight against climate change.”
Regarding the widespread network of workshops, Dr. Hassan remarked, “The establishment of workshops across all geopolitical zones and states is a strategic move. It ensures that CNG technology is accessible to a wide range of users, from individual vehicle owners to mass transit operators. This democratization of technology can significantly expedite its adoption.”
Dr. Amina Hassan expressed optimism about the PCNGI’s potential to bring about transformative change. “While challenges may arise during the implementation phase, the PCNGI presents a comprehensive and forward-looking approach to addressing some of Nigeria’s most pressing issues—fuel subsidy removal, rising energy costs, job creation, and environmental sustainability. It reflects a commitment to a cleaner, more prosperous future.”