FG initiates CNG vehicle conversion in Ogun

The Conversion Incentive Programme of the Compressed Natural Gas was initiated on Friday, by the Federal Government in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The programme seeks to offer relief to the masses due to the hardships caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy.

Michael Oluwagbemi, CEO and Programme Director of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, said almost one million vehicles will be converted to run on CNG for free across the country through the programme.

He added that the programme will partner with conversion centres, with four already signed up in Ogun State.

Explaining the programme, Oluwagbemi said, “What we are doing here now is to flag off the incentive programme that the President announced in his last speech to the nation where he talked about the difficulties of all Nigerians.

“He mentioned that a million vehicles are going to be converted for free. We are here to fulfil the President’s promise here in the city of Abeokuta.

“We are going to be working with the conversion centres partners, we signed up four of them here in Ogun State today.

“It’s going to be the 60th we’ve signed across Nigeria for the programme. The idea is that this conversion centre will get the conversion kit that the Federal Ministry of Finance has purchased for free.

“Fifty nominees from each of the three major unions will be utilising not just this facility but the three facilities to ensure conversion started. When that conversion starts, we will be able to fuel in any of the CNG refuelling stations that are also present in Ogun State.”

Also speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Energy, Jide Onakoya said the programme will be a game-changer for Ogun State, enabling citizens to switch from expensive petrol and diesel to cheaper gas.

According to him, “We believe this programme will be a game changer for the people of Ogun State by being able to convert from higher expensive petrol and diesel to cheaper gas. It can help the people of Ogun State to reduce pollution by a significant amount.”