The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) has unveiled plans to roll out 150 new CNG refueling stations across Nigeria within the next 18 months. Speaking during a press briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, PCNGI CEO Michael Oluwagbemi emphasized the initiative’s commitment to expanding access to CNG infrastructure nationwide.
“To strengthen our foundational infrastructure, we’ve partnered with private sector stakeholders to deploy over 150 additional refueling stations in the coming 18 months,” Oluwagbemi stated. He highlighted ongoing efforts, noting that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has already launched 12 sites, with 8 more expected this quarter, and approval secured for an additional 100 stations within the next 18 to 24 months.
Oluwagbemi also revealed that NIPCO has imported equipment for 32 daughter stations—22 are operational, while 8 are currently under construction. Other companies, including Bovas, Ay Shafa, Ibile Oil and Gas, and Mikano, are also in the process of building their own CNG refueling facilities. He said that the government is committed to making sure the initiative works for the good of Nigerians.
“At this point let me be clear, that the SOLE safety incident that occurred in Benin last year was a result of economic saboteurs engaged in illegal fabrication of CNG cylinders and were arrested by the police,” he said, referring to a CNG-powered vehicle that exploded in October last year at a NIPCO filling station in Benin, Edo State, leaving three people injured.
Mr Oluwagbemi cited that the incident was a result of economic saboteurs who fabricated illegal CNG cylinders and have since been brought to book.He further assured members of the State House correspondents that, “With the Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System, NGVMS, in place, that incident will be avoided as only properly labelled & accredited vehicles with certified tanks will be refueled. The necessary steps to launch NGVMS are ongoing, and we expect it to be in place by year end.”
Mr Oluwagbemi promised that the Initiative “won’t relent in ensuring the safety of lives and investments of participants in the sector.” “This is why we prioritized regulatory standards issuance from the get-go in March 2024 and continue to work with these agencies, especially Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON, & National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC. We enjoin all participants to ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements on safety and security,” he added.
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