Victoria Mgbanwa
President Bola Tinubu has positioned Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s energy future, urging Nigerians to embrace it wholeheartedly.
The President’s appeal, conveyed through the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, highlights a strategic shift to cleaner, more affordable energy sources amid rising global concerns over environmental sustainability.
Speaking after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, Minister Ekpo underscored Tinubu’s commitment to advancing the CNG initiative. He said the President’s vision is clear: Nigeria must harness its abundant natural gas resources to provide a safer, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly alternative to petrol.
He said, “It is left for us to inform the general public that CNG has come to stay, and we have to follow that route because CNG is safe, cheaper, and protects the environment.
“It is important to note that when you are using CNG, you save a lot of money. A litre of fuel can go for N1000, but you get CNG at N200 per litre, which saves you N800.
“With the passion of Mr. President and the push that he has given to us, we’ll try to drive the CNG programme to reach the nooks and crannies of this country.
“We have to take advantage of the natural resources, gas, that God has endowed us with.
“What we produce in our country is more than enough for us to use for CNG, and of course, you know, we are exporting to so many other countries,”
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, reinforced the President’s message, emphasizing the broader significance of the CNG shift. Beyond the cost benefits, adopting CNG aligns Nigeria with the global movement towards cleaner energy, marking a pivotal step in the country’s transition away from fossil fuels.
