Mohammed Shosanya
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative,PCNGI,and the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to facilitate the implementation of the CNG policy in the Niger Delta region.
The NDDC Managing Director,Dr Samuel Ogbuku,who spoke during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the PCNGI, led by the Programme Director, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, stated that the CNG initiative was critical for the country.
He observed that the Presidential CNG Initiative was a component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s intervention, which was directed at providing succour to Nigerians following the harsh effects of the fuel subsidy removal policy.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer,in a statement by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, noted that implementing the CNG policy would create jobs and local technology transfers for youths and women by supporting auto manufacturing, retrofitting, conversions, and developing critical gas distribution, processing, and production infrastructure and facilities.
Speaking at the opening of a CNG conversion and training centre at Rumuokwuta community in Port Harcourt, Ogbuku said that the NDDC considered the CNG initiative a Presidential directive that deserved utmost attention.
He stated: “This groundbreaking event, the first of its kind in the Niger Delta region, is part of the efforts to set up training centres in all parts of the country.
“The more we train our youths in energy conversion facilities, the more youths we train to make them gainfully employed and financially independent. We want to make the Niger Delta the hub of CNG technicians in the country.”
He said that the Commission was making efforts to set up training facilities to train youths on the conversion to CNG in the Niger Delta region, noting that with the energy transition in the country, Niger Deltans would be allowed to take advantage of the transition to gas.
Also speaking at the facility operated by Lapomik Energies,the PCNGI Programme Director, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, highlighted the gains from embracing CNG, noting that the initiative would stimulate investments in Nigeria’s abundant gas market and develop sustainable gas markets locally while growing the economy and expanding the government’s revenue base.
He emphasized the need for collaboration with relevant stakeholders to train technicians and enhance local capabilities in CNG conversion.
Oluwagbemi said the Presidential Initiative on CNG fully manifested President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of leveraging Nigeria’s gas resources. He stated that Rivers State was the home of natural gas.
He added:“The key objective is to drive down and manage transportation costs for Nigerians by utilizing the cheaper gas alternative that is abundant but currently underutilised in Nigeria.
“Our pilot phase started with training 1,000 auto technicians, engineers, and support staff. By the end of 2024, we aim to have trained 2,500 individuals, and by 2027, our goal is to reach 10,000 trained professionals.
The traditional ruler of Rumuokuta, Eze Michael Chinda, thanked the firm operating the conversion and training centre in his domain for bringing development to his community. He observed that his community was friendly and peace-loving.
The monarch implored the NDDC to assist the community in completing their civic centre and thanked the Commission for providing solar street lights in the area.
