NNPCL expands CNG stations nationwide by 40 units

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has acquired equipment to establish 40 new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations across the country, in a bid to boost the adoption of CNG as an alternative fuel.

This was revealed by Oluwagbemi Michael, Programme Director and CEO of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), during an event in Ogun State.

Michael stated that the Federal Government aims to set up a total of 100 CNG stations in the next six months. This effort comes amidst concerns from Nigerians regarding the limited availability of CNG refuelling stations, which has slowed the shift from petrol to CNG.

He disclosed that in the past 12 months, NNPCL has successfully set up 12 CNG stations—six in Abuja and six in Lagos. The company has also acquired equipment for an additional 40 stations across various regions in Nigeria. He further noted that private companies like Bovas, NIPCO, Matrix, and MRS are also investing in CNG infrastructure.

Michael emphasized the government’s active role in promoting CNG infrastructure by collaborating with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund. Recently, N122 billion was released to private organizations involved in CNG distribution to expand infrastructure nationwide.

Additionally, the Federal Government is distributing one million CNG conversion kits to commercial drivers, aiming to create a demand for CNG and attract more investors into the sector. The government also introduced a credit scheme allowing private vehicle owners to convert their cars from petrol to CNG, paying for the conversion over time.

With the expansion of CNG infrastructure and investment, Michael expressed confidence that the number of CNG refuelling stations would double from 50 to 100 in the next six months. He also assured Nigerians that CNG is both safer and cheaper and that efforts are being made to ensure the fuel reaches every part of the country.