By Faridat Salifu
The Nigerian federal government has ordered the installation of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) pumps in filling stations around the nation in an effort to improve fuel accessibility.
This initiative, spearheaded by the Tinubu administration, is designed to allow Nigerians to refuel their vehicles at a price of just N200, presenting a more affordable alternative to the skyrocketing costs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.
The directive was formally announced by Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), during the recent OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week in Abuja.
Ahmed elucidated that the new mandate will see an increasing number of retail outlets equipped with CNG add-ons, aiming to cater to the rising fleet of CNG-powered vehicles throughout the nation.
As part of this initiative, the NMDPRA is actively engaging with key stakeholders to facilitate the widespread availability of CNG in alignment with the government’s larger energy transition strategy.
Ahmed noted, “Most retail outlets will be required to implement CNG add-ons to effectively serve the growing number of CNG vehicles across the country.”
The Tinubu administration has made it clear that embracing CNG is a strategic move towards reducing reliance on petrol and minimizing fuel importation costs.
President Bola Tinubu recently highlighted the cost benefits by urging motorists to choose between petrol priced at N1,000 per liter or CNG available at N200 per Standard Cubic Meter.
He emphasized that CNG not only offers a lesser financial burden on consumers but also contributes to a reduction in carbon emissions, thereby fostering a cleaner energy landscape.
Moreover, the administration has introduced incentives aimed at supporting commercial vehicle operators in converting from petrol to CNG without any associated costs.
Tinubu remarked on the environmental and economic advantages, affirming the government’s commitment to promoting CNG as a cleaner and more economical fuel option for Nigerian motorists.
