By Femi Akinola
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Innoson Motors, Nigeria’s indigenous automaker, Innocent Chikwuma, recently revealed that his auto company was the pioneer in production of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle in Nigeria, even before the current Federal Government adopted the idea.
He pointed out that the federal government initiatives on CNG is the best idea for Niger as there are a lot of benefits.
He noted that it was those benefits that attract him to produce vehicles on Compressed Natural Gas.
Innocent made the submissions shortly after meeting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
”It is the best idea, Government initiatives on CNG is the best idea for this country because there are a lot of benefits, and it is those benefits that I saw before I started the factory to produce vehicles on Compressed Natural Gas,” Chukwuma said.
According to him, he started producing CNG vehicles about two years ago not only because it is eco-friendly but because of other benefits that make it the choice between a petrol fueled vehicle and compressed gas fueled vehicle.
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Giving detailed information about benefits of CNG vehicles, Chukwuma explained that a CNG vehicle offer lower maintenance cost because CNG burns more clearly than petrol; reduces wear and tear on engine while CNG vehicles perform better than diesel fuel in three ways, particularly on emissions matter.
Additionally, he said one of the primary advantages of using CNG cylinder, is the significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions commonly referred to as the green fuel because of its lead and sulphur free character. ”CNG reduces harmful emissions,” he noted.
Meanwhile, late last week, Chukwuma met with President Tinubu inside the Presidential Villa where the duo discussed issues around production and maintenance of CNG vehicles in Nigeria.
Barely a week after Chukwuma’s visit to the Presidential Villa, President Tinubu commissioned 30 hybrid -powered CNG buses, which were donated by the Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), and Innocent Motors, at the State House, Abuja.
These CNG buses are designed and produced by Innocent Motors, an indigenous auto manufacturer based in Anambra State, South East Nigeria. Each of the buses is capable of carrying up to 100 passengers. In addition, the buses have the capacity to operate on diesel if the operator desires.
Shortly before the launch of the buses on Monday, President Tinubu underscored the inevitable need for Nigeria to tap into its abundant natural gas resources to enhance transportation sector in the country.
He described CNG as an essentiaal economic strategy for the nation, highlighting that the idea marks significant transformation in Nigeria’s public transportation and energy utilization.
”Harnessing natural gas for our transportation industry is the future direction we must pursue,” President Tinubu said, adding that CNG is a viable solution to the soaring transportation costs currently affecting many Nigerians.
