Stakeholders in Nigeria’s compressed natural gas (CNG), conversion sector have thrown their weight behind President Bola Tinubu’...
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s compressed natural gas (CNG), conversion sector have thrown their weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s energy reforms, declaring that the nationwide transition from petrol to CNG is irreversible.
Speaking during a strategic meeting of Northern CNG Conversion Centers in Abuja, the Programme Director and CEO of the Presidential CNG Initiative (PiCNG), Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, dismissed political distractions and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to energy transition as a pathway to economic renewal.
“This is not about politics, it’s about progress,” Oluwagbemi said. “We are building a future where Nigeria stops importing fuel and exporting jobs. We are creating a self-reliant, prosperous nation driven by cleaner, cheaper energy.”
He decried attempts by critics to undermine the CNG program, describing them as self-serving and unpatriotic. “Anyone asking us to halt this initiative is effectively asking us to destroy over 10,000 direct jobs, 85,000 indirect jobs, and shut down more than 240 conversion centers. That is not just politics – that is sabotage.”
Oluwagbemi hailed the early gains of the program, including the attraction of over $500 million in private investments and the establishment of more than 250 operational centers nationwide.
He revealed plans to double this number before the year ends.
Youths are being trained as technicians, future vehicle assemblers, and entrepreneurs,” he added. “We’ve planted the seeds of an industrial future. The results are already visible.”
The stakeholders, in a strongly worded communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, expressed “deepest appreciation” to President Tinubu for his “visionary leadership” and the PiCNG team’s collaborative approach.
They highlighted key benefits of the CNG initiative, including job creation, increased business opportunities, reduced fuel costs for drivers, and environmental gains through lower emissions.
“There is no recognized union claiming to represent all conversion centers,” the communique clarified, distancing the group from any unauthorized individuals or groups speaking on their behalf. “All engagements must be based on verified consultations.”
Reaffirming their loyalty, the conversion center operators pledged “unflinching support” for the PiCNG initiative and urged the federal government to continue strengthening collaboration and capacity development.
As Oluwagbemi puts it, “This is a movement. CNG is not a slogan – it is a revolution. And we are not turning back.”
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