The Federal Government has unveiled its ambitious plan to establish 9,000 autogas filling stations across the nation within the next six months.
This transformative initiative is a pivotal component of the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP), designed to harness Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources and revolutionize the country’s energy landscape.
Chairman of the NGEP, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim, made this announcement during the Annual Training Workshop of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA).
The workshop’s theme, “Fuel Subsidy Removal: Autogas/Electric Vehicles as Alternatives,” underscored the significance of this bold energy transition.
The NGEP, conceived to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s natural gas reserves, promises to usher in a new era of sustainable energy. Dr. Ibrahim passionately argued that autogas, especially in the wake of fuel subsidy removal, was the cost-effective and environmentally friendly choice for vehicles.
He confidently asserted that the administration’s pledge to create 100 million jobs was not only realistic but could be expedited through the NGEP.
The program introduces a multi-fuel scheme allowing vehicle owners to fill their tanks with either liquefied natural gas (LNG) or compressed natural gas (CNG) in addition to the traditional premium motor spirit.
According to Dr. Ibrahim, approximately 5 million conversion kits will be required to adapt 30 million internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to CNG or LNG. This monumental shift in the automotive sector has the potential to generate a staggering 12.5 million jobs, providing a significant boost to the economy.
He emphasized that if executed meticulously, autogas could be the catalyst for economic resurgence.
Explaining the NGEP’s multi-fuel scheme, Dr. Ibrahim said, “When you visit a filling station, you’ll find dispensing facilities for petrol, diesel, and kerosene. Additionally, you’ll have access to dispensing facilities equipped with cryogenic towers for LNG, CNG dispensing pumps, and charging points for electric vehicles. This creates a one-stop-shop for multiple fuel options, catering to the diverse needs of vehicle owners.”
Also, he highlighted the system’s adaptability, saying, “You won’t even need a separate CNG facility because, with a cryogenic tower, you can generate CNG from your LNG right at the station by simply adding a pump.”
However, despite the NGEP’s enormous potential, its 250-billion-naira fund, held in the Central Bank of Nigeria for the past four years, has remained untapped. Dr. Ibrahim expressed frustration over the stringent conditions attached to the fund and noted that calls to relax these conditions, made during the tenure of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, went unheeded, rendering it inaccessible to companies involved in the autogas value chain.
As Nigeria stands on the precipice of a monumental energy transformation, the NGEP’s audacious plan to establish 9,000 autogas filling stations has the potential to reshape the nation’s economic and environmental landscape. If executed successfully, this initiative could herald a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for Nigeria while creating millions of jobs and fostering economic growth.