It less than 200 units of Compressed Natural gas (CNG)-powered vehicles and CNG 2,5000 tricycles will be rolled out before the first anniversary of the Tinubu Administration next month.
The quantity represents 49 percent of the 5,500 CNG buses and tricycles the government promised to purchase to cushion the effect of the removal of petrol subsidy on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inauguration day last year.
A Presidential spokesman, who confirmed the development, added that another batch of 400 CNG buses are targeted for production and deployment before December 31.
Mr Bayo Onanuga in a statement said: “From the end of May, Nigeria will take some baby steps to join such nations that already have large fleets of CNG vehicles.
“All is now ready for delivery of the first set of critical assets for deployment and launch of the CNG initiative ahead of the first anniversary of the Tinubu administration on May 29.
“About 2,500 of the tricycles will be ready before May 29, 2024…working towards delivering 200 units before the first anniversary of the Tinubu administration.
The presidential spokesman added that the President’s vision to deploy “one million natural gas propelled vehicles” on Nigerians roads by 2027 would mark a major energy transition in our country’s transportation industry.
“The use of more expensive diesel and PMS(Premium Motor Spirit or petrol) will gradually be phased out, when many vehicles, including trucks run on natural gas, which our nation has in abundance in at least 30 out of the 36 states of the federation,” Onanuga said.
He also explained that electric vehicles being produced by Brilliant EV are meant for Kano and Borno states as well as universities campuses in some parts of the country.
Onanugu revealed that the private sector which the government is partnering on the initiative has sunk in over $50 million on refuelling stations, conversion centres and “mother” stations.
The statement added: “With necessary tax and duty waivers approved by President Tinubu in December 2023, the Pi-CNG committee is partnering the private sector to deliver the promise on the initiative. The private sector has responded with over $50 million in actual investments in refuelling stations, conversion centres, and mother stations.
“Also, a safety policy document on 80 standards and regulations that must be strictly adhered to by operators has been developed and approved to ensure CNG conversions are done safely and reliably.
“The deployment of CNG buses and tricycles and the vision to get at least one million natural gas propelled vehicles on our roads by 2027 will mark a major energy transition in our country’s transportation industry. The use of more expensive diesel and PMS(Premium Motor Spirit or petrol) will gradually be phased out, when many vehicles, including trucks run on natural gas, which our nation has in abundance in at least 30 out of the 36 states of the federation.
-Thenation
