The Federal Government on Wednesday assured motorists of safe Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), usage as alternate fuel for vehicles, adding that conversion centres have reached 171 across the country.

Speaking at the commissioning of Portland Gas Conversion centre in Kado, Abuja, the Director/CEO, Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGI), Engr Michael Oluwagbmi said the target is to hit 200 CNG conversion centres by the end of the year.

He said the P-CNGI, which has doubled its target for 2024, is hopeful of hitting 500 conversion centres next year.

Oluwagbemi allayed fears over the safety of mounting CNG cylinders on vehicles, saying when converted by accredited government facilities, the use was significantly safer than petrol driven vehicles.

He noted that the push for CNG usage has progressed significantly over the past year, pointing that a year ago the country had only seven CNG conversion centres.

?Before the end of this year, I promise in the next two weeks, we will get to 200. We are already looking and certifying at least additional 35 to 40 on our record. I believe we will get to 40 at the end of this year. And that is double our target. You remember this time last year, I told you our target is 100 and now 200. Next year, we have set a target of 500 for us and I believe we will blow?.

While disclosing that the new centre in Kado has the capacity of converting 12 vehicles daily, he urged Portland Gas Limited to increase its working hours to 24 from the present 12 hours.

Also speaking, Portland Gas Limited, Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Folajimi Mohammed said each CNG cylinder has a life span of 20 years before a change is needed.

Mohammed said the hybrid conversion kits allow the vehicle to switch between gas and petrol as desired by the owner.

On his part, the Executive Vice Chairman, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu said the partnership with Portland is the first of its kind. (Vanguard)

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