The Federal Government has announced the commencement of the Nationwide Mass Transit Conversion Programme which entails the conversion of diesel and petrol-powered mass transit buses to run on Compressed Natural Gas.
Abuja, Lagos, Kwara and Rivers states have been picked as locations for the first phase of the mass transit buses’ conversion programme before it is extended to other locations across the country.
The government said the programme was in conjunction with the rollout of CNG-powered vehicles and the unveiling of CNG refuelling and conversion centres.
On Thursday, The PUNCH reported that the Federal Government had commenced the rollout of CNG-powered buses and tricycles beginning from Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
“There was a launch in Ilorin Kwara State today (Wednesday) by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazak. Ilorin launch was a refuelling and conversion centre. CNG buses and tricycles were also unveiled. The CNG vehicle assemblers have begun the rollout, beginning from Ilorin.
“The inauguration began today in Ilorin. It started with a conversion centre before they unveiled some CNG buses and tricycles. They have not given a date for Abuja. But the process started today,” Onanuga stated while responding to enquiries on Wednesday.
Speaking further on the initiative, the Programme Director/Chief Executive, Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, Michael Oluwagbemi, told our correspondent on Thursday that a nationwide conversion programme for mass transit buses had commenced.
He said, “The PCNGI is thrilled to announce the commencement of the Nationwide Mass Transit Conversion Programme. This ambitious initiative aims to convert mass transit vehicles to cleaner energy sources, significantly reducing emissions and promoting environmental sustainability.
“The initial phase of the conversion programme will be initiated in Lagos, Kwara, the Federal Capital Territory, and Rivers states. This phase will be executed in partnership with major transport unions, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers, the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners.
“To ensure the success of this programme, the rollout will commence in eight of over 120 designated conversion workshop sites. These key union partners will have the opportunity to observe and evaluate the conversion process, providing valuable feedback as we plan to scale up operations across 15 states over the next 45 days.”
Oluwagbemi pointed out that “this rollout will be backed by a 50 per cent discount on equipment and kit costs, and support to qualified union members for installation cost.”
He said PCNGI and Rolling Energy, an energy solutions firm, are committed to driving Nigeria towards a more sustainable future.
He also pointed out that the establishment of the Ilorin site and the nationwide conversion programme were pivotal steps in reducing Nigeria’s carbon footprint and enhancing the efficiency of mass transit systems.
“For more information about the PCNGI conversion and refueling site or the Nationwide Mass Transit Conversion Programme, please contact: Lagos – Femadec, FixIt45, Portland; Abuja – NITT, Nipco; Port Harcourt – Total Support, Femadec; and, Ilorin – Rolling Energy,” he stated.
The Presidential CNG Initiative is the programme of President Bola Tinubu’s administration dedicated to promoting clean energy solutions across Nigeria. Through partnerships and projects, PCNGI aims to reduce environmental impact and support the transition to sustainable energy for the transport sector.
