.. unveils plan to establish over 100 CNG stations nationwide
Oredola Adeola
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has finalized a deal with Axxela Limited to establish six CNG mother and service station plants with a capacity of 5.2 mmscfd each, strategically positioned across the nation’s six geopolitical zones and the FCT, complementing NNPC Retail’s ongoing rollout of CNG in more than 100 stations nationwide.
Mallam Mele Kyari, GCEO NNPC Limited, made this known during the official commissioning of the 5.2 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) plant at the Isolo Industrial Area, Ilasamaja in Lagos on Thursday.
According to him, the Final Investment Decision (FID) with Axxela Limited is being considered as part of the effort to maintain energy security and provide more access to CNG by the Nigerian populace.
The NNPCL GCEO stated that the six CNG mother and service station plants and stations will be situated in selected locations spread across the six geopolitical zones, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to ease access to bulk CNG.
He stated that the move was in addition to NNPC Retail’s phased deployment of CNG in over 100 stations across the country as well as other Joint Venture partnerships on CNG.
Commenting on the commissioning of the NNPC CNG Station in Ilasamaja, Lagos, Kyari revealed that the project was part of NNPC’s efforts to grow domestic gas supply and utilization by deploying gas infrastructure nationwide.
According to him, the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) explicitly mandated NNPC to promote domestic gas utilisation, thereby strengthening the company’s resolve to deploy critical gas infrastructure projects across the country.
“NNPC will continue to deliver more strategic projects for the benefit of our country. We shall utilise our gas resources for industrialisation, power generation and economic prosperity for all,” Kyari stated.
Earlier, Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), while commissioning the 5.2 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) plant at the Isolo Industrial Area, Ilasamaja in Lagos, described the project as a critical turning point in the development of affordable, sustainable, and secure energy sources in the country.
He said the occasion, under the theme “From Gas to Prosperity: CNG for All,” represents a critical turning point in the development of affordable, sustainable, and secure energy sources in the country.
The Minister of State (Gas) described 2024 as a historic year for Nigerians, stressing that through his courageous decision to eliminate fuel subsidies and promote the acceptability and broader use of LPG, President Bola Tinubu has brought about several fresh beginnings in the lives of Nigerians.
“Although the elimination of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) subsidy has brought difficulties, it has also given us a once-in-a-lifetime chance to invent and adopt more economical, efficient, and sustainable energy alternatives,” the Minister stated.
Ekpo noted that the use of CNG as a transport fuel is a mature technology used globally, as it is the cleanest burning fuel in terms of Nitro-oxide and soot emissions.
“While it can be employed to power passenger cars and city buses, CNG passenger vehicles emit 5-10% less CO2 than comparable gasoline-powered passenger vehicles, the Minister added.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor, in his remark, said the establishment of the CNG plant aligns perfectly with his vision for economic development, job creation, and industrialisation, in the State.
He said in demonstration of its resolve to champion CNG utilisation across Lagos State, the State Government has concluded plans to deploy 2,500 conversion kits and over 2,000 new CNG buses, which will commence operations before the end of the year.
Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State Governor, represented by the State Commissioner of Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, said the State is supporting capacity building in CNG conversion to ensure sustainability and promote economic development within the State and beyond.
Engineer Michael Oluwagbemi, Chief Executive, Presidential CNG Initiative, in his goodwill message, described the plant commissioning as a testament to President Tinubu’s commitment to providing sustainable energy solutions for Nigerians.
