Fuel: Embrace CNG, it’s cheaper – Marketers, promise N10bn buses

Fuel: Embrace CNG, it’s cheaper – Marketers, promise N10bn buses

Oil marketers have asked Nigerians to embrace vehicles using compressed natural gas as an alternative to petrol-powered automobiles.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) gave the advice through its National President, Mr Chinedu Okorokwo, saying the CNG is a viable alternative energy source that would cushion the effect of petrol subsidy removal.

This came as major oil marketers promised to donate 100 units of 50-seater buses worth N10bn in support of the Federal Government’s subsidy removal interventions.

Already, the organised labour has forwarded a similar suggestion to the FG to support mass conversion of petrol engine vehicles to natural gas-powered.

The marketers made these known in Abuja after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

The CNG producing less emission is said to be the cleanest burning fuel operating today with less vehicle maintenance and longer engine life.

Okoronkwo said, “We have also discovered that bringing an alternative that is cheaper than even firewood which is CNG, will not only create relief for the government and its citizens but it is environmentally friendly.

“The CNG is abundantly available in Nigeria than anywhere in Africa.

“In the Niger Delta region, you see billions of tonnes of gas being wasted daily; these are huge amounts that should be accruing to our GDP, but we are wasting it because there is no market for it. So, we are asking the government to create the market.

“How do you create the market? What Egypt and India did was to give soft loans to be paid back within stipulated periods; from there, you can get vehicles to use gas instead of fuel.”

Also, the leader of the delegation to President Tinubu, Winifred Akpani, announced the intention of the group to donate 100 units of 50-seater buses using the CNG to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.

She said the policy of using Natural Compressed Gas (CNG) vehicles would be implemented to reduce the cost of living.

She expressed the support of the marketers to fuel subsidy removal, stressing that it was long overdue.

She observed that the move, although painful and stressful, would unleash the economic potential of Nigeria, engender free-market economy, entice foreign investors, ensure security as well as creation of jobs and wealth.

The delegation was led to the President by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.

The Federal Government last year unveiled 20 high-tech CNG buses meant for civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The initiative was undertaken in a collaboration with FEMADEC Group, a private engineering and construction company.

A number of auto firms have received the support of the National Automotive Design and Development Council to assemble and market gas-powered vehicles.

Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing recently showcased mass-produced CNG buses from its Nnewi factory, Anambra State.

Omaa has equally rolled out CNG-buses from its Anambra-based assembly plant to increase the number of firms engaged in the business in Nigeria.