IMO STATE SET TO REVOLUTIONIZE TRANSPORTATION WITH CNG INITIATIVES
By Ella Michaels
Owerri, Imo State - December 2, 2024
In a bid to cushion the effects of the high cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) on citizens, occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy, the Imo State Government has set its sights on rolling out a comprehensive plan for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) development.
According to the Honorable Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chika Benson Abazu, the state is richly blessed with natural gas, which is the future of energy globally. The Governor, Senator Hope Odidika Uzodinma, has directed the Ministry of Transport to ensure that Imo State leverages its gas potential to create jobs, reduce transportation costs, and drive economic prosperity.
The state is poised to benefit from the CNG value chain, with the establishment of three Mother Stations and corresponding Daughter Stations and Conversion Centres. This development will enable the conversion of vehicles to CNG-powered engines, providing motorists with reduced fuel costs, cleaner energy, and a more environmentally friendly transportation system.
A major challenge facing the state, the evacuation of gas from gas plants, has been addressed through the ongoing setup of Mother Stations at the gas plants to evacuate and compress the gas. Motorists in the state can expect relief in the shortest time possible.
Mashati Energy, a leading energy company, has pledged to set up a Mother Station and Conversion Centres in the state, in line with the 3R Agenda of Governor Uzodinma. The Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology will partner with the state to train youths in CNG conversion and gas transition value chain, creating jobs and transferring technology to close the skill gap in transport technology.
The Commissioner for Transport expressed gratitude to the delegation for their visit and pledged to facilitate collaboration between the technical team and the Department of Transport of the Federal University of Technology Owerri to institutionalize the training.
This development is part of a broader national effort to promote the use of CNG as a cleaner and more cost-effective alternative to traditional fossil fuels. Lagos State, for instance, plans to roll out 2,000 CNG buses and 231 electric vehicles before the end of the year ¹. Hyundai Nigeria has also joined the fray, launching locally assembled CNG vehicles to support the Federal Government's efforts to provide sustainable transportation solutions .
As Imo State joins the CNG revolution, motorists and residents can look forward to a cleaner, more affordable, and environmentally friendly transportation system.
In related news, the Nigerian government has handed over 64 CNG buses to representatives of the Trade Union Congress, the Nigerian Labour Congress, and the National Association of Nigerian Students, as part of efforts to provide affordable and efficient transportation ³.
With the CNG initiative gaining momentum across the country, Imo State is poised to reap the benefits of this cleaner, cost-effective, and sustainable transportation solution.
