By Tochukwu Bliss, Abuja
NNPC Limited has unveiled plans to deploy compressed natural gas (CNG) stations nationwide, and to build three Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) stations with its partners in Ajaokuta, Kogi State.
The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari who disclosed this today during the simultaneous inauguration of 12 CNG stations in Abuja and Lagos, also declared that the drive to bring natural gas closer to Nigerians has commenced in earnest and is irreversible.
“There is simply no way to turn back on delivering CNG for all Nigerians. It is the right thing to do. Is it late? Yes, but we will make progress; we will cover the gap in order to ensure that the volatility we see with premium motor spirit (popularly called petrol) does not apply to gas,” Mr. Kyari said.
The GCEO, according to a statement by NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, was said to have commended President Bola Tinubu for providing the needed support to drive domestic gas utilisation aimed at delivering cleaner and cheaper source of energy to Nigerians.
While assuring that the NNPC Ltd will continue to deliver more strategic gas projects for the benefit of Nigerians in line with the Presidential CNG Initiative of bringing prosperity to all Nigerians, he reaffirmed the company’s determination to guarantee the nation’s energy security.
CNG provides Nigeria with affordable alternatives to existing available fuel products. It will be about 40% cheaper than petrol in Nigeria and with continued investments, it will become a significant part of our energy mix.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Managing Director, NNPC Retail Limited, Huub Stokman, revealed that within the next one year, NNPC Retail would have launched over 100 CNG sites, including 16 NNPC Gas Marketing and NIPCO Gas JV sites.
“CNG provides Nigeria with affordable alternatives to existing available fuel products. It will be about 40% cheaper than petrol in Nigeria and with continued investments, it will become a significant part of our energy mix,” Stokman added.
In his remarks, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the inauguration of the stations will not only provide economic benefits by creating jobs and stimulating local economies, but also contribute significantly to Nigeria’s national goals of reducing emissions and combating climate change.
On his part, the Chairman, NNPC Board of Directors, Pius Akinyelure, said increased CNG adoption will foster economic benefits by reducing fuel costs for consumers and businesses alike.
Following the removal of fuel subsidy and the declaration of the Presidential CNG initiatives, NNPC Limited has taken the lead in the deployment of Auto-CNG Stations across Nigeria.
Already, NNPC Gas Marketing Limited, a subsidiary of NNPC Limited, in partnership with NIPCO Gas Limited has developed an Auto-CNG rollout plan for construction of 35 CNG stations across the various geographical zones of Nigeria.
