The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has on Thursday commissioned 12 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations across Abuja and Lagos to offer Nigerians a more affordable and environmentally friendly fuel option.
Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), officially commissioned the stations—eight in Abuja and four in Lagos.
Energy Afrique earlier reported that the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mallam Mele Kyari, has announced that the initiative to bring Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) closer to Nigerians has begun and is irreversible.
The Benefits
Combined, the Abuja and Lagos stations have a dispensing capacity exceeding six million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of CNG daily, serving approximately 15,000 vehicles daily. According to a media report, the stations are equipped with advanced reciprocating and hydraulic booster compressors, ensuring a dispensing pressure of 200 bar for CNG vehicles.
Speaking during the commissioning, Ekpo said the stations would not only offer economic benefits by creating jobs and stimulating local economies but also contribute significantly to Nigeria’s efforts in reducing emissions and combating climate change.
“Today, we are commissioning 12 stations simultaneously across the country, marking significant progress in gas prosperity. I commend NNPC Ltd. for fulfilling their mandate to make CNG available to Nigerians. This is an irreversible step forward,” Ekpo stated.
In his remark, Malam Kyari noted that the Abuja station would soon connect to the AKK Gas Pipeline, transforming it into a mother CNG station. He added that the stations’ power needs would be met by gas-driven generators, thereby reducing carbon emissions. CNG will be supplied to the stations in Abuja and Lagos through virtual transportation from mother stations in Ajaokuta, Kogi state, and Ibafo, Ogun state.
The Airport Road station in Abuja also features a 5-bay CNG Vehicle Conversion Workshop, capable of converting five to six vehicles daily.
Under the Presidential CNG Initiative, NNPC and NIPCO Gas have partnered strategically to expand CNG stations across Nigeria, with plans to construct 35 CNG stations.
The Director of the Presidential-CNG Initiative, Mr. Toyin Subairu, noted that with CNG priced at N230 per litre compared to N680 per litre for traditional fuel, drivers could save about N70,000 per week and N2.6 million annually.
Discussing the conversion cost of approximately N600,000, Subairu mentioned that commercial vehicle kits would be offered at a 50 percent surcharge to encourage adoption. He observed that Nigerians are eager to convert their vehicles to CNG engines, as evidenced by the current queues, prompting the opening of more CNG stations nationwide.
“Previously, station attendants could convert four vehicles daily, but now they can handle 13 vehicles daily. President Bola Tinubu is committed to providing a million kits for free and facilitating free conversions to support Nigerians,” Subairu added.
