NNPCL and Nipco start building autogas stations

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited said on Thursday that it had partnered with Nipco Gas Limited to build and install CNG stations across the nation.

Another fuel that can be used in cars is compressed natural gas (CNG), often known as autogas. Since the Premium Motor Spirit, or petrol, subsidy was removed, there has been a strong push for CNG adoption.

Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, stated at the national oil company's headquarters in Abuja that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the oil corporation to look for alternate fuel sources to lessen the impact of the elimination of PMS subsidies.

"As part of NNPCL's aim to lowering carbon footprint and providing motorists with more affordable alternative fuel,

"This program complements NNPC Retail's planned nationwide staggered deployment of 56 CNG stations.

This historic partnership aims to increase access to CNG, expand our CNG infrastructure, and speed up the adoption of less expensive, cleaner alternative fuel for cars, buses, and Keke NAPEP, which will lower transportation costs significantly and promote sustainable national economic growth.

He said that 35 cutting-edge CNG stations, including three mother stations, would be built nationally as part of the NNPC-Nipco strategic cooperation.

He claims that once fully operational, the stations will be able to service more than 200,000 automobiles daily, greatly lowering carbon emissions and their related effects on the environment.

Phased implementation of the project is planned. By the first quarter of 2024, the first phase, which consists of 21 CNG stations, will enable intra-city transportation. By the first quarter of 2025, the second phase, which consists of 35 CNG stations, will support inter-city transformation.

He mentioned that the NNPCL had formed NNPC Prime LNG Limited for domestic LNG production and delivery in order to strengthen and sustain the effort.

According to Kyari, NNPC is working with Miju Auto Gas, a well-known Original Equipment Manufacturer of CNG kits based in India, to establish training and conversion centers to

"Nipco Gas Limited has converted over 7,000 vehicles to run on CNG and currently manages 14 CNG stations in Nigeria. The technological expertise and practical experience of Nipco will ensure the success of this effort and increase its beneficial effects on the economy of the country.

This innovative project would make use of Nigeria's plentiful natural gas resources to help Nigerians in a number of ways, including by providing them with access to cheaper fuel, lowering the cost of transportation, reducing carbon emissions, and establishing new commercial value chains and job opportunities.

Nagendra Verma, the managing director of Nipco Gas Limited, asserted that using gas in cars is safe and made a commitment to the NNPCL that his company will collaborate with them to complete the project.