By The Nigerian Government has banned the use of petrol vehicle and ordered that memo for the use of such must not be approved thereby giving way for the purchase of compressed-natural-gas-powered vehicles.
Presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement after the Fifth Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting for year 2024, with President Bola Tinubu presiding, said that line with his commitment to ensure energy security, drive utility, and cut high fuel costs, President Tinubu has directed the mandatory procurement of compressed-natural-gas-powered vehicles by all government ministries, departments, and agencies.
The President’s directive is also in furtherance of Nigeria’s effort to transition to cleaner energy as CNG-enabled vehicles have been adjudged to produce lower emissions, even as they present a more affordable alternative for Nigerian energy consumers.
Addressing members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the State House on Monday, President Tinubu affirmed that there is no turning back in the energy reforms initiated by his administration.
According to him, Nigeria will not progress forward if we continue to dance on the same spot. We have the will to drive the implementation of CNG adoption across the country, and we must set the example as public officials in leading the way to that prosperous future that we are working to achieve for our people. It starts with us, and in seeing that we are serious, Nigerians will follow our lead.
The President further directed the rejection of all memos brought by members of FEC seeking the purchase of traditional petrol-dependent vehicles, tasking the affected members of the council to go back and diligently seek value-driven procurements of CNG-compliant vehicles.
Tinubu, according to the statement, remains committed to effectively harnessing the nation’s gas potential, alleviating the burden of high transportation costs on the masses while enhancing the standard of living of all Nigerians.
Affected by the order are new requests by Nigeria Customs Service, the Shipper’s Council, an agency of the Marine and Blue Economy which had sought approval to buy several hundreds of operational vehicles, to be powered by petrol.
The council approved the requests by said they must be CNG vehicles.
Also, a request by the Federal Capital Territory to buy petrol generators was also approved, but the council insisted they must be powered by CNG or solar.
Government also expects agencies to begin to convert petrol or diesel vehicles or generators to CNG.
The Tinubu administration which launched the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative( PCNGi) last October plans to roll out about 800 CNG buses, 4000 CNG tricycles and 100 electric buses in the first phase in the next few weeks.
In taking the decision on Monday, government was signaling its readiness for energy transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy.
Government believes its policy will unlock new investments in renewable energy, solar panels and lithium batteries.
It also believes that the policy will be climate friendly and reduce inflation as it will slash costs by about 60 percent.
