Reactions as Tinubu, reportedly, launches “fuel” for N230 per litre
By OUR REPORTER, Abuja
“What you need to do is not just reduce only CNG to N230. You should also be bold enough to reduce petrol pump price per litre as drastically as that of the CNG, same kerosene, same diesel and make sure the Saudi Arabia national policy of what we produce must be the cheapest is replicated here in Nigeria. You had that in your predecessor Muhammadu Buhari, who was committed to Made-in-Nigeria produc
ts,” he said.
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi) has launched Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles at N230 per litre, with 10,000 CNG engine conversion kits said to be distributed free to transporters.
This announcement was detailed in a statement titled, “President Bola Tinubu Introduces Fuel at N230 per Litre with CNG”, signed by Michael Oluwagbemi attributed as Project Director of the PCNGi, on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
This initiative, the statement said, is designed to provide Nigerians with a more affordable and sustainable alternative to petrol and diesel.
The statement said, “In a strategic move to reduce fuel costs and provide Nigerians with an affordable alternative to petrol and diesel, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has enabled Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to be available for vehicles at N230 per litre. This initiative provides a cheaper and cleaner alternative to petrol, which currently sells for over N900 per litre, reflecting the President’s commitment to lowering the cost of living and alleviating the pressures from fuel subsidy removal.
“The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi), which was launched under President Tinubu’s directive, is set to deliver wide-reaching benefits to Nigerians by significantly cutting fuel costs. The introduction of CNG as a fuel source aligns with the government’s drive towards energy diversification, and is designed to bring immediate relief to Nigerians, especially those who depend on transport for their livelihood.
“As part of this initiative, President Tinubu has ordered 1 million free CNG conversion kits to be distributed to commercial vehicles involved in transporting people, food, and goods. These kits, along with free installation, will be rolled out over the next 18 months, helping the transport sector quickly transition to CNG and take advantage of the significantly lower fuel prices. The distribution of these kits will be carried out in collaboration with key partners, ensuring nationwide accessibility.
Immediate Action: 10,000 Free Kits This Week
“In the first phase of the initiative, PCNGi will begin the immediate distribution of 10,000 free conversion kits this week. These kits will be provided at no cost to transport operators through key national transport associations, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Moove, UBER, and the Kaduna State Transport Authority (KSTA). This will enable commercial drivers to switch their vehicles to run on CNG, thus easing the cost burdens for both transporters and the public.
“The distribution process is supported by PCNGi in partnership with NIPCO Gas, which will manage the conversion process through a network of authorized conversion centers across Nigeria. These centers will provide the necessary infrastructure and services to ensure a smooth transition for vehicles switching to CNG.
Commitment to Cheaper, Cleaner, and Sustainable Energy
“By switching to CNG, Nigeria is embracing a cleaner, cheaper, and more sustainable fuel alternative that benefits both the economy and the environment. The government’s goal is to distribute the full 1 million conversion kits by the end of 2025, ensuring that Nigeria’s commercial transport sector is fully equipped to adopt CNG and reduce dependence on costly petrol and diesel.
“For more details on the conversion centers and to access the full list of active centers, please visit: https://pci.gov.ng.
“This initiative reflects President Tinubu’s broader vision for a more resilient and economically sound Nigeria, providing citizens with a practical solution to rising fuel costs while promoting sustainable energy practices,” Project Director, PCNGi, Engineer Micheal Oluwagbemi, said.
Nigerians react
Nigerians, who expressed their thoughts about the initiative they on separate occasions described as unclear, are asking about how sustainable the it can be and how reformed the character of people, either charged with distribution of the CNG engine conversion kits and sales of the gas itself at N230 or transporters, who are expected to transfer the benefits to the Nigerian masses by reducing transport fares drastically and not any more forming the habit of unjustified daily fare increase.
One of the respondents asked, “This government recently accused Alhaji Aliko Dangote of monopoly over the success of his Africa largest and most quality based petroleum refinery but has succeeded, itself, in creating monopoly in lots of essentials of life in ways contributing to the hardship that we suffer.
“How do I mean? The last time, moment you annoynced this your CNG buses and engine conversion to gas use, Nigerians, who have been restricted to cooking with gas, have never had the situation good since then as gas purchased at ease before you jumped skyrocketedly to N1,000 per kilogram until it is now sold at N1,600 per kg.
“Since you know how best to play this political governance better than your predecessors, we expected you to know that before you announce directing Nigerians to a product in a situation you cannot create profit control mechanism, you should enable availability of alternatives, for example, you asked Migerians to cook by gas, do not shift them away from continuing use of charcoal stove, kerosene stove even firewood.
“They should have varieties so that marketers who love to capitalise on the monopolised or one-way traffic of a system of our consumption mentality, will have no excuse to swindle the masses. I mean, tge nature of Nigerian marketers especially in South part is where supply chain reduces from line five to three, they deliberately create demand pressure and they call that law of demand and supply claiming economics principle they never apply even when supply is in abundance.
“Tinubu needs to know this is the nature of marketers both in food commodity markets and oil sectors of the economy and stop announcing policies without creating control measure that stops those who will be excessive at implementing them.
“What you need to do is not just reduce only CNG to N230. You should also be bold enough to reduce petrol pump price per litre as drastically as that of the CNG, same kerosene, same diesel and make sure the Saudi Arabia national policy of what we produce must be the cheapest is replicated here in Nigeria. You had that in your predecessor Muhammadu Buhari, who was committed to Made-in-Nigeria products,” he said.
