All federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies were ordered by the Federal Executive Council, which is presided over by President Bola Tinubu, on Monday to exclusively purchase cars and generators that run on compressed natural gas going ahead.
The Federal Government also anticipates that its MDAs will start converting all generators and cars with gasoline or diesel engines to compressed natural gas (CNG).
According to a statement issued by Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, the new instruction is “in line with his commitment to ensure energy security, drive utility, and cut high fuel costs” on Monday.
“President Tinubu directs mandatory procurement of CNG-Powered vehicles,” reads the announcement.
One of the key choices made by the council on Monday was to defer its four-hour meeting until Tuesday, May 14.
Additionally, CNG-enabled cars have been shown to emit lesser emissions while also offering Nigerian energy users a more cheap option, according to Ngelale, which is “in furtherance of Nigeria’s effort to transition to cleaner energy.”
The PUNCH also learned that the new decision has an impact on fresh requests made by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, an organization under the Marine and Blue Economy, and the Nigeria Customs Service, which had asked for permission to purchase several hundred functioning gasoline-powered trucks.
Additionally, the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s request to purchase gasoline-powered generators was granted, but with the need that the contracts be revised to include solar or CNG-powered generators instead.
According to Ngelale, Tinubu instructed Council members to “go back and diligently seek value-driven procurements of CNG-compliant vehicles” in order to acquire conventional cars that run on gasoline.
Speaking to the Federal Executive Council on Monday at the State House, President Tinubu said, “If we keep dancing on the same spot, this nation will not advance.”
“As public servants, we must lead the road to the prosperous future we are striving for our people, and we have the resolve to spearhead the implementation of CNG adoption across the nation.
“We must lead by example, and when Nigerians see that we mean business, they will do the same.”
Additionally, he reaffirmed his commitment to fully use the gas resources of the country in order to raise everyone’s standard of life while easing the financial burden of expensive transportation on the general public.
The decision made on Monday comes three weeks after the Presidency revealed intentions to introduce 2,700 buses and tricycles powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) in an effort to reduce transportation expenses before President Bola Tinubu’s one-year anniversary on May 29.
President Tinubu introduced the Presidential CNG Initiative in October 2023, around five months after the gasoline subsidy was eliminated, with the goal of supplying energy that is more affordable, secure, and environmentally benign.
Delivering compressed natural gas was the main goal of the CNG Initiative, particularly for mass transit.
As part of the N500 billion palliative budget, the Federal Government set aside N100 billion to buy 5500 CNG vehicles (buses and tricycles), 100 electric buses, and more than 20,000 CNG conversion kits. Additionally, the government wants to build CNG refilling facilities and electric charging stations around the country.
The plan, according to the FG, would lessen the impact of the higher pump price on the general public.
In the next weeks, the administration intends to launch the first phase of around 800 CNG buses, 4000 CNG tricycles, and 100 electric buses.
The FG stated that it is indicating that it is prepared to switch from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources, and that new investments in renewable energy, solar energy, and lithium batteries would be made possible by its policies.
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