NIPCO Gas Limited has unveiled plans to deepen the utilization of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) nationwide. The move according to NIPCO is aimed at reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products and mitigating the growing subsidy costs and demand for foreign exchange,
Mr. Nagendra Verma, the Managing Director of NIPCO Gas Limited, disclosed these plans during an interactive session with the media held in Lagos over the weekend. Verma emphasized that NIPCO Gas is committed to promoting the widespread adoption of CNG as an alternative fuel in Nigeria’s transportation sector. He expressed confidence that with sustained government support and advocacy, AutoCNG would emerge as the preferred fuel choice in the country, offering significant benefits such as reducing the strain on importation and conserving foreign exchange reserves.
As part of its expansion strategy, NIPCO Gas aims to complete the construction of four CNG stations in Lagos by May 2024. These stations are part of an extensive partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, which aims to establish 35 AutoCNG plants across Nigeria in a phased manner.
Verma further revealed that locations for 19 CNG stations have already been identified and received approval from the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and other relevant regulatory bodies. This initiative underscores NIPCO Gas’s commitment to advancing the adoption of cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions in Nigeria while also contributing to the nation’s energy security objectives.
The expansion of CNG infrastructure represents a significant step towards achieving energy diversification and promoting environmental sustainability in Nigeria. It is expected that the widespread adoption of CNG in the transportation sector will not only reduce the country’s reliance on imported petroleum products but also contribute to the reduction of harmful emissions, thereby fostering a cleaner and healthier environment for all Nigerians.