Reports from across the country have shown that some states do not have the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion centres or refill stations.

The states are Delta, Kwara, Jigawa, Adamawa, Plateau, Niger, Imo, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Osun, and Borno.

However, many of them have indicated interest in keying into the Federal Government initiative. Borno opted for Electric Vehicles (EVs) and tricycles.

Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Rivers, Edo States and the FCT have conversion and refill plants.

FCT

A few months ago, the Federal Government distributed 64 CNG buses to the FCT Administration as part of Nigeria?s 64th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

A transporter, Oladele Abiodun, told The Nation that there were only four conversion/ refill centres in the FCT.

Abiodun who lamented that there were few CNG centres in the territory, called on the Federal Government and FCT Administration to establish more.

He said those who have converted their vehicles always queue for hours to buy CNG.

A civil servant who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent that he spends over four hours at the stations to buy gas.

Osun

Commissioner for Information and Public Orientation, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed to The Nation that the state has no conversion/refill centre. He added the Federal Government has provided the state with no free CNG buses.

The commissioner appealed to Federal Government to redeem its pledge of providing conversion centres and buses to ease the hardship faced by residents.

Alimi said: ?There is no single CNG conversion centre in the state neither do Federal Government provide the vehicles promised. The only thing that is on ground to ease hardship over transportation is Imole bus provided by Governor Ademola Adeleke for workers, students, and residents.??

Ogun

The state blazed the trail with the rollout of 17 CNG-powered buses on October 30, 2023.

Sources close to the transport ministry revealed that 31 vehicles have been converted to CNG so far out of 60 free conversion kits received from the Federal Government.

There are three conversion centres operated by the Nigeria Gas Transport Solution Ltd (NGTSL) in the state?s Public Works Agency; Next Gen Limited in Abeokuta and another in Mowe ? Ibafo corridor.

There are also three CNG refilling stations ? Green Fuel at Obada in Abeokuta; Gasco Marine also at Obada and another at Mowe/Ibafo.

Oyo

The Federal Government which delivered 20 CNG buses to the state commenced the first phase of free vehicle conversion in Ibadan, the state capital on September 15.

Seventy vehicles have so far been converted in the state.

First Vice-Chairman of the state?s Park Management System (PMS), Ademola Adeoye, said the CNG initiative was well received by PMS members

He, however, said others have not been able to convert their vehicles due to many reasons, including lack of funds.

Pointing out that there weren?t enough conversion centres in the state, Adeoye called on the government to consider opening more

He said: ?Over 70 of our commercial vehicles have been converted as of Friday. But there are no enough conversion centres in the state. Only three conversion centres were recommended by Federal Government for the state.?

Ekiti

Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Mobolaji Aluko, said the government has shown significant commitment to the CNG initiative.

Aluko stated that the Federal Government unveiled seven conversion centres in the state which are already using CNG to power its independent power plant.

He added that the state has received 15 CNG buses from the Federal Government under the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi) to enhance public transportation in the state.

Enugu

The government is presently constructing a massive CNG mother station with a capacity to serve the entire Southeast.

It is also plans to build ancillary daughter stations that would look like filling stations. They will be fed by the mother station to be located at Ugwu Onyeama.

The Nation also gathered that some private firms in the state had already taken the lead in training interested technicians on how to convert vehicles from PMS to CNG.

Commissioner for Transportation Obi Ozor had two months ago said the government had taken steps to introduce CNG buses as part of the efforts to preserve the environment and also make transportation affordable for citizens.

Ozor added that the state was playing its part to not only invest more in buying CNG buses, but supporting private sector investment in the transportation space.

Rivers

It was gathered that some CNG-powered vehicles had been sent to the state government by the Federal government.

Efforts to confirm the development yielded no positive results as the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Joseph Johnson, neither responded to telephone calls nor replied to a text message sent to him.

But a source in Port Harcourt said some CNG-powered vehicles were sent by the Federal Government to the state.

There was, however, no evidence to show that the vehicles had been deployed for use in the state.

Our source said plans had been concluded by the government to open two CNG refill stations and two conversion parks in the state capital.

He said: ?The stations will be launched in Port Harcourt and we are launching a refueling unit alongside. Rivers State is going to have a micro refueling unit at Stadium Road and in Government Reservation Area (GRA).?

To increase the availability of CNG centres, the Portland Oil and Gas recently opened such centre to facilitate conversion at the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone in the state.

Ondo

The use of CNG-powered vehicles is yet to take firm root in the state due to the absence of conversion workshops and plants.

The Nation gathered that one plant being constructed in the state is 90 percent completed.

Lafbart Innovations and Consulting limited was granted licence to undertake the conversion of PMS-powered vehicles to CNG in the state.

Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Transport, Olugbenga Omole, said the state?s 2025 budget made provision for the purchase of CNG-powered vehicles.

Omole added the state was yet to receive CNG-powered buses from the Federal Government.

Kwara

The government last week received 20 CNG vehicles from the Federal Government last week.

A member of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), who did not want his name in print, said: ?NURTW and RTEAN members attended the ceremony as observers.?

Niger

The state which has no conversion/refill centre, procured 200 CNG buses this year.

The buses are currently parked at the Trade Fair Complex in Minna.

Governor Mohammed Bago had during the presentation of the state?s budget for next year to the House of Assembly, said his government earmarked N10 billion for modern bus terminals and CNG stations across the state.

He assured that the 200 CNG buses would soon be put to use.

Bago also revealed that his government was planning to distribute 1,000 electric tricycles to ease movement in the state.

Plateau

In Jos, Commissioner for Transport Davou Gyang said the primary barrier to implementing the CNG initiative in the state was an insufficient number of refill stations.

Gyang told The Nation that a private firm, Greenville Energy, which built a CNG station in Nasarawa State, is to set up one in Plateau at no cost.

He said: ?We have not given them (Greenville) the go-ahead because having a conversion centre without refill stations is as good as not achieving anything.

?There has been no significant uptake or conversion of local vehicles to CNG due to the lack of refill infrastructure.

?We are also having discussions with the National Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) to identify a temporary site for vehicle conversions to CNG.

?They have built a CNG station in Nassarawa State and currently building another in Kaduna. Plateau has yet to receive any single CNG vehicles. We have the intention of converting the Plateau Riders vehicles to CNG.?

Imo

Transport Commissioner, Chika Abazu, said Governor Hope Uzodimma tasked his ministry to create a comprehensive CNG strategy

He said: ?The plan capitalises on the state?s rich natural gas resources, aiming to generate jobs, slash transportation expenses, and stimulate economic growth.

?We have started key components construction which include building three main CNG stations and associated smaller stations and vehicle conversion centres.

?This infrastructure will enable widespread CNG vehicle adoption, providing drivers with lower fuel costs and environmentally friendlier transportation.?

He added that Mashati Energy was committed to establishing a major CNG facility and conversion centres in the state.

Akwa Ibom

The state government is yet to make a decision on whether or not to key into the CNG initiative.

Governor Umo Eno had earlier said his administration was understudying the workings of the CNG, especially as it pertains to safety.

Information Commissioner, Ini Ememobong, said that the governor was, for now, more concerned with ensuring availability of fuel in the state

His words: ?The governor some time ago, said he was still understudying the workings of CNG and was particularly concerned about how safe it is.

?I am not aware if he (governor) has changed his mind. Whatever decision he takes is in the best interest of the people.

?Again, the governor is concerned about the issue of having enough refilling depots across the state.?

Benue

The commissioner for Transport, Renewable Energy and Power, Omale Omale, said the state was currently working to have an energy and power policy.

Omale said the ministry already had an energy data for the state.

He, however, stated that the state had long ago keyed into the CNG concept but, unfortunately, did not have the support infrastructure for it to thrive at the moment.

?Benue has keyed into the CNG concept. It is deployed in some states for test running, but unfortunately, Benue is not among the pilot states,? the commissioner added.

Borno

Dauda Ilya, special adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on Media, said the government was focusing on Electric Vehicles (EVs) as part of the transportation overhaul for Maiduguri and surrounding areas.

Stating that the government welcomed the CNG initiative, he cited difficulties in establishing conversion plants, and securing proper storage facilities as hindrances.

His words: ?Borno State Government is investing in electric buses and cars to revamp the transportation system in Maiduguri metropolis and its environs. This shift towards EV technology is seen as a practical and sustainable solution to addressing local transportation needs.

?Notable investments in EV technology include the 2024 purchase of 30 Changon E-Star electric vehicles, 500 Phoenix VH100 electric tricycles, and other electric vehicles for the Baga community.

?The government also procured electric vehicle charging terminals across Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Government Area (LGA), offering highly subsidized charging rates to alleviate the economic burden on residents.?

Edo

The CNG is being embraced by motorists with more conversion centres seen in Benin and its environs.

Although, many residents were discouraged by the October 16 explosion of a CNG-powered car in Ikpoba Hill, findings showed that they had changed their minds.

The state however has not received any CNG vehicle from the Federal Government.

Delta

The government has commenced preliminary implementation of the policy with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori?s approval of the construction of conversion. Refill stations across the three senatorial districts.

Transport Commissioner, Onoriode Agofure, explained that the government was mindful of the hardship citizens endure due to the high cost of transportation.

He appealed for patience, noting that the government was committed to providing lasting relief to stakeholders in the transport sector.

Jigawa

In Jigawa State, there is no conversation centre

However, the state Executive Council has approved N117,109,070 for the establishment of a pilot training centre at Dutse Skills Acquisition Center in Limawa.

Information and Sports Commissioner, Sagir Musa, said this is in line with Governor Umar Namadi?s administration?s commitment to reducing the suffering of the people.

Adamawa

The CNG has not been deployed in Adamawa State by the Federal Government. But the state government, however, runs a mass transit scheme with vehicles that run on gas.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, Mr. Humwashi Wonosikou, said the state has no CNG-run vehicles from the Federal Government. (The Nation)

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