The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari on Thursday said it is partnering with NIPCO to deliver 35 state-of-the-art Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations across the country.
He said the project, which would include three mother stations, will service over 200,000 vehicles daily.
Kyari who made the disclosure at a press briefing in Abuja said the initiative is in addition to the phased deployment of 56 CNG stations planned by NNPC retail across the country.
He stated: “Under the NNPC-NIPCO strategic partnership, 35 state-of-the-art CNG stations will be constructed nationwide, including three (3) mother stations.
“Once fully operational, the stations can service over 200,000 vehicles daily, thereby significantly reducing carbon emissions and associated impact on climate.”
He explained that the project will be rolled out in phases stating that the first phase, comprising 21 CNG stations, will support intra-city transportation and be ready by the first quarter of 2024.
For the second phase, comprising 35 CNG stations, he said the project will support inter-city transformation and will be ready by the first quarter of 2025.
To deepen and sustain the initiative, he said the Company has floated NNPC Prime LNG Limited for domestic LNG production and supply.
“NNPC is also collaborating with Miju Auto Gas, a leading CNG kit Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) based in India, to set up training and conversion centres to facilitate the in-country conversion of vehicles from petrol to CNG,” he added.
He noted that its partner, NIPCO Gas Limited is currently operating 14 CNG stations across Nigeria and has converted over 7,000 vehicles to run on CNG.
“NIPCO’s technical competency and field experience will bolster this initiative’s success and amplify its positive impact on the nation’s economy,” he noted.
The GCEO further explained that the partnership aims to expand the country’s CNG infrastructure, improve access and accelerate the adoption of cheaper and cleaner alternative fuel for buses, cars and Keke NAPEP.
He stressed that this will significantly reduce the cost of transportation and engender sustainable national economic growth.
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