Key players in the transport, environmental and oil and gas sectors have identified the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative of President Bola Tinubu as one of the major drivers of industrialization.

Speaking at the sensitization program on CNG infrastructural development at the Onne, Oil, and Gas Free Zones, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said the initiative remained one of the bold reforms of the President.

The sensitization tagged, driving sustainable transportation: accelerating CNG adoption, was organized by Portland Gas in collaboration with the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority.

While addressing the stakeholders, Oduwole said CNG offered a cleaner, cheaper and more sustainable solution for powering vehicles, particularly in the transportation and logistics sectors that underpinned industrial activities.

Oduwole, who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Theresa Ogolo, said the event marked a significant milestone in the nation’s collective effort to drive sustainable transportation and transition to cleaner and more efficient energy systems.

“The adoption of CNG as a viable alternative fuel aligns with the Federal Government’s broader energy transition strategy, she said, adding that “this strategy seeks to diversify our energy mix, reduce carbon emissions, and harness the economic potential of Nigeria’s abundant natural gas reserves.

“Our presence here today, at Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone is deliberate and strategic. As a hub for innovation, investment, and industrial activity, Onne is ideally positioned to serve as a launching pad for this initiative.”

She said by developing CNG infrastructure within the zone, the government was setting the stage for widespread adoption across Nigeria and supporting a future where industries and transportation systems thrived sustainably.

She said the government through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, was fully committed to fostering partnerships with stakeholders across the public and private sectors.

“As witnessed today, the strategic collaboration between Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority and Portland Gas Limited, on CNG Adoption and development project is an initiative to promote the use of CNG as an alternative cleaner and cheaper energy source tailored towards contributing to the current administration’s transformative agenda”, she said.

She said to achieve the transformative initiative, emphasis must be placed on engaging stakeholders to a robust and strategic sensitization and capacity building on CNG adoption.

She said transport operators, industrial players and end-users must be educated about the economic and environmental benefits of adopting CNG adding that public awareness, policy alignment and coordinated implementation would ensure seamless and inclusive transition.

She promised that the Federal Government would continue to provide enabling policies, regulatory support, and investment incentives to accelerate CNG adoption.

The Programme Director/Chief Executive, Pi-CNG, Michael Oluwahbemi appraised the impact of the initiative on the economy describing gas as the fuel for industrialization.

“Today we are changing the tide through President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, he said adding that the initiative had so far attracted $459m.

He said prior to the initiative, there were only seven conversion centers in five states but that the number increased to 153 centers across 23 states.

The Managing Director, of Portland Gas Limited, Folajimi Mohammed, commended President Tinubu for driving the initiative adding that the federal government had demonstrated willingness to subsidize the cost.

He said: “In terms of subsidising the cost, the federal government has identified a few people who they have given the free kits already, so they will make sure the conversation are free of charge.

“We know that the CNG conversation is pretty expensive but through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated under the Credit Course Scheme, there is a fund call CALM which is for automatic conversation, light and for solar system”.

Henceforth, he said the Onne Oil and Gas zone would operate the conversation centre to accelerate CNG adoption for trucks and cars within the zone.

He said: “The drive for conversation to CNG has been very aggressive by the present administration. The drive has been spreading very fast. As at today, we are not having issues of conversation but refilling, which we believe that the adoption has been very high”.

On private sector partnership, he said: “Very soon the private stakeholders are tackling the issue of refiling and is going on very well. Basically, if you qualify for that scheme they will give you the funds, almost like a form of a loan, over the time you will pay back”.

He asked the people not to be skeptical about CNG saying that the initiative had come to stay.

Already, he said Portland opened about seven stations across Lagos, Abuja and currently in Onne to accelerate the process.

In his welcome address, the Managing Director/CEO of Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA), Bamanga Jada, commended Tinubu for his bokd and crucial reforms into various sectors of the economy.

Jada said: “One of His Excellency’s many reform policies, is the Presidential CNG Initiative, an innovative and far-sighted programme introduced by Mr. President as a component of his palliative intervention to provide cheaper and cleaner fueling alternative that will significantly lower the energy cost in the country”.

He said the free zone authority remained committed to driving and facilitating investments that aligned with Mr. President’s objectives for industrial growth and economic diversification.

He said: “In this regard, we have specifically designated two of our Free Zones at Liberty Oil and Gas Free Zone, Akwa Ibom State, and the Orashi Energy Free Zone in Imo State for gas and green energy projects, with special focus on gas processing and renewable energy resource development projects.

“In the last 17 months under the Tinubu-led Administration, OGFZA’s Liberty OGFZ has attracted FDI worth over USD$1bn.

“More importantly, today’s event reflects the growing confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Reform Agenda is receiving from both domestic & foreign investors alike, and showcases the diligent role that our Honourable Minister is playing in advancing Mr. President’s mandates, especially in promoting the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a cleaner, efficient and more environmentally friendly energy source”.

He said Nigeria is acknowledged as Africa’s largest natural gas producer, with over 209 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of proven natural reserves.

“In recent years, the global energy landscape has undergone tremendous change. Faced with the dual challenges of increasing energy demand and urgent environmental concerns, we must seek solutions that are both efficient and sustainable.

“CNG stands at the forefront of this endeavor. It is a cleaner, more efficient alternative to conventional fossil fuels, and today, we take a significant step toward embracing its potential”.