The Federal Government has encouraged Nigerians to purchase locally-assembled Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles to alleviate the reliance on Premium Motor Spirit and diesel.
Following the removal of the fuel subsidy, the government allocated N100 billion for acquiring 5,500 CNG vehicles, 100 electric buses, and over 20,000 CNG conversion kits. Additionally, efforts are underway to establish CNG refilling and electric charging stations across the country.
President Bola Tinubu has endorsed the CNG initiative, urging citizens to adopt it. During an assessment tour of the Lanre Shittu assembly plant in Lagos, Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Oluwemimo Osanipin, highlighted the economic benefits of CNG vehicles, emphasizing their affordability.
“My appeal to Nigerians is for all of us to start adopting this initiative and start buying Nigeria-assembled CNG vehicles. It will save us from more expenses,” Osanipin said. He noted that a 60-kilogram CNG tank could cover over 300 kilometers, making it a cost-effective alternative to petrol or diesel.
The government aims to support CNG vehicle assemblers, promising substantial patronage. Osanipin mentioned that many current trucks on Nigerian roads are assembled locally and called for a similar approach for buses and cars.
Lanre Shittu Motors’ CEO, Taiwo Shittu, praised the CNG initiative and advised Nigerians that it could reduce their fuel expenses by 75%. He also stressed the importance of after-sales service, urging motorists to buy locally-assembled vehicles to ensure easy access to parts and maintenance.
NADDC’s vision includes advancing from merely assembling vehicles to manufacturing car components domestically, with ongoing projects in welding and painting facilities in Lagos and Ogun State, respectively. This shift from semi-knocked-down (SKD) to completely knocked-down (CKD) production aims to further bolster the local automotive industry.
