The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has partnered NIPCO to commission a total of 6 retail stations to dispense Compressed Natural Gas (CGN) in the Federal Capital Territory.
The stations are located at Airport Road, Kubwa, Gaduwa, Olusegun Obasanjo way, zone 1, Dei-Dei, Duste- Bwari Road and Gwagwalada. In Lagos, the stations are located at Lateef Jakende, Agidingbi, mushin, Lekki-Epe express way, Mobile road, Apapa.
These CNG stations feature advanced reciprocating and hydraulic booster compressors, ensuring a dispensing pressure of 200 bar for CNG vehicles.
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Implemented under Presidential CNG initiative, the NNPC & NIPCO Gas partnership is expected to facilitate the provision of 35 CNG Stations across Nigeria. with Stations strategically placed in Abuja and Lagos to offer CNG to a wide range of CNG vehicles including: tricycles, cars, busses and Heavy Transport Vehicles.
CNG is to be supplied to stations in Abuja and Lagos via virtual transportation from mother Stations in Ajaokuta, Kogi state, and Ibafo, Ogun state, with ongoing plans to connect the Abuja station to the AKK Pipeline upon completion.
In his remarks, Ekperikpe Ekpo, the minister of state for Petroleum Resources (gas) while commissioning the projects in Abuja on Thursday said the exercise demonstrates the willingness and determination of the federal government to drive the CNG project.
Speaking on the sustainability of the program, Ekpo explained that Nigeria currently consume only 3 percent of its total daily production, adding that irrespective of the demand, Nigeria has enough gas to meet its target.
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The minister commended the leadership of the NNPC for living up to their mandate of making sure CNG is available for Nigerians
He said, “NNPC and other investors, are not relenting in making sure they go into new development of gas. And Mele Kyari has talked about the establishment of LNG in Kogi State. Of course, they are equally focusing with seriousness on the development of AKK project, which will take this gas to the northern part of the country.
“Last week, we were there to do the inspection, and I was given the assurance that by the first quarter of 2025, we are going to do it. And we went to OB3. By August, it is going to be completed.
“This is to show us that Nigeria and the sector is ready and willing to deliver on the promises that the mandate of Mr. President represents. And what I want to say at this point in time, let us talk to Nigerians, let us talk to ourselves, to be patient with Mr. President, to allow his own dreams and aspirations come into bear in our country, Nigeria. And Nigeria tomorrow will be better than the Nigeria of today.”
Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, in his remarks said that the projects are aimed to provide cheaper and cleaner fuel, as well as promote consumption of the huge gas resource in the country.
According to him, the company also plans to construct at least 6 CNG model stations across the country, between now and December.
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“And what we are going to do is to roll out stations all across the federation, it is already a work in progress, as we plan to construct 6 CNG model stations across the country, between now and December.
“We are also taking another step to build and LNG station in Ajaokuta, one belong to us and the other through partnership. What this does is to bring gas closer to consumers across the country. Considering the distance involved in transporting gas and that is why we are doing this so that it becomes accessible and easier.
He disclosed ongoing plans to connect the AKK pipeline when completed to these stations, as a source of gas. This he said will bring the product closer to end users, there by reducing the prices payable by consumers, especially in the northern part of the country.
“And I will like to indicate that there is no turning back on this, there is simply no way to turn back because this is the right thing to do. Is it late, yes. But we will make progress. Nigerians will benefit from the resources that we have, to ensure that we have this cleaner fuel available to us,” he said.
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For Huub Stokman, the managing Director of NNPC Retail Limited, adding CNG to NNPC retail stations will provide Nigeria with an affordable alternative to existing fuel products.
According to him, CNG will be about 40 percent cheaper than petrol in Nigeria, and with continued investments, it will become a significant part of the nation’s energy mix.
He disclosed that in the next 12 months, NNPC Retail would have launched over 100 CNG sites, including 60 NNPC Gas Marketing Limited, NIPCO JV sites. “Today’s event is a first step, and I can confirm that we’ll add four more sites in Abuja, and in the next 46 weeks, six sites will be launched in Lagos.
“We are also supporting our implementation partners to set up two mechanical training centres combined with conversion centres in Abuja and Lagos. And it’s fantastic that Nigeria is utilising its own natural resources to bring affordable energy to the people and NNPC Retail is very proud to be part of this journey.
Also speaking, Toyin Subairu, a representative of the Presidential CNG Initiative, disclosed that the PCNGi was set up by President Tinubu about eight months ago, to focus completely on taking the country away from its over reliance on PMS, to utilizing the gas resources.
He noted that with this initiative, Nigeria would be saving about N6 million per annum, from its bills on PMS.
“For a lot of people who have already converted their vehicles, they are saving about N200,000 at the end of every month, or about N280,000 every month, depending on how much CNG they are using.
“Now, if you look at the Kekenape, which is the means of transport for many, many people, the average savings per day would be about N7,000 using CNG. That translates to about N2.6 million Naira per annum for a Kekenape owner, if he moves from PMS to CNG.”
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