CNG: Lanre Shittu Motors Partners NADDC, PiCNG, Provides Tools, Training For Technicians

Frontline auto company, Lanre Shittu Motors (LSM), has partnered the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), as well as the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG) in facilitating training for conversion of petrol vehicles to run on Compressed Natural Gas, as well as the provision of Special Service Tools (SST) for auto technicians in the country.

Participants at the first phase of the training held on September 16-20 at the NADDC centre in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, numbering over 45, included members of the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), Ekiti State Chapter and representatives of the Ekiti State University (EKSU).

The trainees were selected from all the local governments in the state.

In order to complement their training, LSM went a step further to provide the participants with the Special Service Tools and battery-powered hand-drilling machines, worth about N400,000 each.

Managing Director of LSM, Mr. Taiwo Shittu, commended President Bola Tinubu for the CNG initiative that had energised the nation’s auto industry, adding that it would reduce cost of public transportation and boost the economic activities.

He told journalists that the company remained committed to facilitating the growth of the local auto industry by way of collaborating with the NADDC in training technicians and providing them with modern tools.

He said, “This is not the first time we are doing this, as we have been doing it for many years. It is our own way of giving back to the society and ensuring that auto technicians keep abreast with recent developments in the industry, especially with the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) technology.

“We have just unveiled our LSM-branded full CNG buses, which are the first full CNG buses in the country, for airport shuttle and for city operations, and we are also investing in the provision of mobile CNG stations.”

Some of the LSM technical personnel who were on the ground were the Car Workshop Manager, Akinyemi Jamiu, and Technical Service Advisor, Mr. Oluwasegun Aaron Akanbi.

Meanwhile, the Ekiti State government, which also collaborated in the training, and represented at the event by the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, said, “The President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government and the state government have ensured that Ekiti State is in the forefront of this endeavour and we continue to ensure that our people get the best in terms of the advantages.

“CNG is not strange to us, we are just adding gas for mobile vehicles. We are already in a good position as far as CNG is concerned. Use of CNG will enable our people to have access to cheaper fuel to power their vehicles,” he added.

NADDC Director General, Joseph Osanipin, said that the training was aimed at ensuring capacity building and skill upgrades for technicians and youths to enable them to cope with the dynamic automotive industry.

Osanipin, who said that President Tinubu established the PiCNG in furtherance of his commitment to ease the impact of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians, said there were a lot of benefits along the CNG value chain.

The head of NANTA at the event, Mr. Olusoji Olusegun John, expressed delight about the event.

Another participant, Engr. Faseluka Ademola, said, “I will like to commend the representatives of Lanre Shittu Motors for their exceptional expertise in converting petrol vehicles to CNG. The 5-day training programme was impressive, seamlessly integrating theory and practical sessions.”

It would be recalled that in 2022, LSM instituted an auto skill training and employment scheme for school leavers that has taken many dropouts and area boys out of the streets.

Also last year, LSM identified with NADDC in the auto training and provision of specialised tools to technicians in different parts of the country.

Innoson begins delivery of CNG buses to FG, with 25 units

Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd (IVM) has commenced the delivery of the Compressed Natural Gas buses ordered by the Federal Government.

This is part of the Presidential CNG Initiative (PiCNG) designed to ease the effects of the withdrawal of fuel subsidy on the masses.

The delivery is coming about two weeks after the Federal Government formally placed an order for the CNG-powered buses following the visit of the Chairman/CEO of Innoson Vehicle, Chief Dr. Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma, CON, to President Bola Tinubu.

President Bola Tinubu after the visit commissioned the first set of 30 Innoson CNG-powered city buses at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Speaking to journalists at the factory in Nnewi shortly before flagging off the 100-seater CNG buses on the long journey to Abuja, Chief Chukwuma said it was heart-warming to commence the delivery of the buses only a couple of weeks after receiving the order.

A statement by the company obtained on Wednesday said Innoson was starting the delivery with 25 per cent of the vehicles requested by President Tinubu, explaining that to him, manufacturing the CNG buses for the government for use by Nigerians is more of a patriotic duty than the execution of a business contract.

The Innoson chairman said, “Before the end of next month, we will be manufacturing and delivering another 25 per cent of the 100 President Tinubu ordered during my visit to Aso Rock Villa.

“We have a partnership with the Federal Government to produce CNG buses for mass transportation. And that is because President Tinubu and his team recognise the fact that we have the capacity.

“Nigeria has the capacity. We are manufacturing CNG vehicles here. So, there is no need to look outside for what is available in Nigeria.

“It is commendable that President Tinubu believes that made-in-Nigeria is the way to go, and that is why the government gave us a contract to produce these CNG buses.

“We are glad that within two weeks after we got the order, we have already produced 25 per cent of the vehicles which are departing Nnewi today for Abuja.

“The government has discovered that CNG is cheaper and results in very low maintenance cost when using it to fuel your vehicle.

“Therefore, let us support the government on this policy of looking inward for vehicles, especially those powered by CNG.

“On our part at Innoson, what we owe the government and the people of Nigeria is to continue manufacturing vehicles that meet their needs in terms of quality and affordability.”

Chief Chukwuma recalled that he had assured President Tinubu during his visit to Aso Rock Villa a few weeks earlier that Innoson would, in tandem with the presidential initiative on alternative energy for transportation, prioritise the manufacture and roll-out of IVM EVs and accelerate the production of full CNG vehicles in Nnewi.

“I had promised Mr. President that as the pioneer manufacturer of CNG vehicles in Nigeria, Innoson would contribute substantially to the success story of his Presidential Initiative on CNG, and that my factory would be delivering a good number of buses monthly to the Presidency,” the Innoson chairman stated.

He also recalled that he had at inception of the plant more than 13 years ago, assured Nigerians, and reiterated so many times subsequently, that the Nnewi plant would continue to manufacture vehicles based on the needs and requirements of the local market without compromising on quality standards.

The recent production of the first units of electric cars by Innoson Vehicles, according to him, is in keeping with this commitment.

The first batch of IVM CNG buses were officially delivered to the Presidency the following day in Abuja

“Let me use this opportunity to reassure the government and all vehicle buyers in Nigeria that at Innoson, we have the capacity to produce full CNG vehicles, hybrid vehicles (that run on CNG and diesel or petrol), and now EVs, in addition to vehicles that are powered by petrol or diesel alone,” Chief Chukwuma stated.

The statement by the company noted that the prompt commencement of the delivery of the CNG buses by Innoson contrasts sharply with the long delays by other auto companies who received similar orders since last year from the Presidential committee charged with driving the initiative, but commenced the delivery only recently.

A friend of the company who is based in Sierra Leone, Chief Christian Anaekwe, was quoted as disclosing that the IVM brand is also doing well in that country.

He hailed Chukwuma for living up to expectation with the prompt manufacture and delivery of the CNG buses to the Federal Government.

He commended President Tinubu for recognising the capacity of Innoson to truly manufacture the CNG buses locally even without the generous concession that other auto companies that got the contracts for supply of the buses since last year have been enjoying.

Chief Anaejwe said, “I am aware that some of the other companies have been granted a lot of concessions since 2023, yet there are those of them that have not delivered the CNG vehicles till today.

“But the company that received its own order only a few weeks ago without any kind of concession is already delivering the buses. So, why grant concessions to those who don’t have the capacity to deliver?”

CNG: Motorists get N230/SCM, free conversion for Lagos vehicles

The Federal Government has announced a new programme offering free Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion for vehicles at six designated sites across Lagos State.

On Thursday, Lagos State’s Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, shared the news via his official X account, highlighting that this initiative is part of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi).

According to him, the conversion would begin on Friday, September 13, from 3 pm to 6 pm, at six designated locations as part of Operation First Come, First Serve.

The first 50 vehicles that pass inspection at each of the six locations will be fitted with free CNG conversion kits, allowing owners to refuel at N230 per SCM of CNG at any NIPCO station, leading to significant savings compared to petrol.

Osiyemi encouraged residents to seize this opportunity to benefit from the initiative.

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The approved CNG conversion centres in Lagos are as follows:

Femadec: Km 42, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Majek Second Gate Stop, Abiju Ibeju, Lekki, Lagos.
Portland: No. 1, Ojota Interchange Terminal, Bayo Shodipo, Ojota, Lagos.
Mezovest: KM 23, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Ajah, opposite Kilimanjaro, beside Libmat Motors, by Abraham Adesanya Bus Stop.
Dana Motors: Dana Motors Ltd Kia Plaza, 117 Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Isolo, Lagos.
MBH Power: Km 5, Ikotun Road, Itamope, Ikorodu, Lagos.
Autogig: Plot 144b Gbagada Expressway, Gbagada, Lagos.

In addition to the Lagos event, the PCNGi’s “Operation First Come, First Serve” will be expanding to other cities.

On September 13, CNG conversions will also be available in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and Ibadan, Oyo State, from 3 PM to 6 PM. The following day, September 14, Abuja and Kaduna will host similar conversion sessions between 3 PM and 6 PM.

This initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s August 2023 launch of the PCNGI, aimed at revolutionizing Nigeria’s transportation sector with over 11,500 CNG-enabled vehicles and 55,000 conversion kits for petrol vehicles.

CNG: Motorists get N230/SCM, free conversion for Lagos vehicles