The Ekiti State Government, in collaboration with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), has called on motorists and vehicle owners in the state to adopt Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to power their vehicles, citing its numerous advantages.
This was highlighted in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on Tuesday, during the launch of a week-long skill development and training program for auto technicians on converting petrol-powered vehicles to CNG-powered ones. The training, a joint effort between NADDC and the state government, was organized by Lanre Shittu Motors.
The event coincided with the commencement of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, which is facilitating the conversion of petrol-powered vehicles to CNG through the distribution of conversion kits in several states.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji, while commending NADDC for the initiative, outlined the benefits of the CNG program, including a cleaner environment, more affordable fuel options, and shared economic prosperity by creating opportunities in the CNG value chain.
The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, stated that the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government, in collaboration with the Ekiti State Government, has positioned the state at the forefront of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative. He assured that both governments are committed to ensuring the people of Ekiti reap the full benefits of the CNG transition.
The governor also noted that the state was already utilizing CNG to power its independent power plant, highlighting that “CNG is not new to us; we are simply extending its use to mobile vehicles. Ekiti is already well-positioned when it comes to CNG adoption.”
“The use of CNG will enable our people to have access to cheaper fuel to power their vehicles.”
On the availability of CNG conversion centres and refuelling stations in the state, Oyebanji said, “In addition to this centre (NADDC Automotive Training Centre), there will be at least three or four conversion centres in Ekiti State.
“Also, in addition to refuelling stations, there will be mobile stations. The state government would be at the forefront of ensuring that we have all these.”
The Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin, stated that the training is focused on capacity building and skill enhancement for technicians and youths, equipping them to adapt to the evolving automotive industry.
Osanipin highlighted that President Bola Tinubu established the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) as part of his efforts to mitigate the effects of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians. He also emphasized the numerous benefits available across the CNG value chain.
He said, “CNG is a cleaner energy source that is environmentally friendly. Gas is available in Nigeria in huge volumes and is cheaper to produce, as a kilogramme goes for N230. It will bring down the cost of transportation and the related effects and create a lot of employment.
“This is another avenue for us to share prosperity because there is a lot in the value chain that anyone can key into – the kits are being distributed, the cylinder, the conversion, the provision of the gas,” he said.
Osanipin urged technicians to stay updated with innovations in the automotive industry through continuous training and retraining. He stated, “This training will greatly assist our technicians in recognizing the vast opportunities within the automotive industry.”
Akinyemi Akanni, representing Lanre Shittu Motors, emphasized that the training would empower technicians, describing CNG as both easy to use and safe. He added that the company plans to conduct similar training sessions across all geopolitical zones in the country.
Akanni also announced that each trainee would receive a special tools box valued at about N2 million upon completing the training.
“We believe if we empower these youths, they will be able to move forward. As we do this, we call on the Federal Government to assist indigenous companies by lifting them,” he said.
The Ekiti State Chairman of the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association, Olusoji Olusegun, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, the state government, and Lanre Shittu Motors for their support and initiative.
