The Nigerian government will kick-off the rollout of the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) in Abuja tomorrow, 1 December 2020. This program will target the delivery of One million vehicle conversions (from petrol/diesel to autogas) by the end of 2021.
The project heralds the government’s clean energy transition for Nigeria and delivery of cheap transportation fuel.
The event will also herald the commencement of Autogas product (CNG & LPG) dispensing at two NNPC retail stations. The Federal government has ordered 9,000 filling stations nationwide to begin the installation of facilities for gas products.
According to Garba Deen Muhammed, GGM/SA Media to the Hon Minister of state Petroleum resources, in a tweet yesterday, “The roll out is the culmination of the resolve of the President Buhari-led Government to deepen domestic usage of natural gas in its various forms. It is also in line with the government’s plan to make gas the first choice source of cheaper and cleaner energy for Nigerians in their personal and industrial endeavours.”
The Hon Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, will also, “on behalf of the federal government hand over Compressed Natural Gas-powered mass transport buses to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as part of the agreement reached with the NLC during negotiations and in recognition of the role organised Labour plays in the quest to bring relief to Nigerians.”
In January 2020, Chief Timipre Sylva, inaugurated the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) committee as a mechanism to boost domestic utilisation of natural gas in the short and medium-term.
As part of the programme, the Autogas and Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs) sub-committee was constituted to drive the adoption of autogas/NGVs as an alternative fuel in Nigeria.
According to the ministry, the establishment of the NGEP is a response to the government’s bid to key into the global shift from crude oil to gas.
