The Federal Government on Thursday inaugurated a 5.2 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) plant in Lagos.
The plant, located in the Isolo Industrial Area of Ilasamaja, was established through a partnership between NNPC Gas Marketing Limited and Transit Gas Nigeria Limited, owned by Axxela.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, commissioned the plant under the theme ‘From Gas to Prosperity: CNG for All.’
He highlighted the significance of the event as a pivotal moment in the advancement of affordable, sustainable, and secure energy sources in Nigeria.
Ekpo stated that 2024 marks a historic year for Nigerians, acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s bold decision to eliminate fuel subsidies and promote the broader adoption of gas.
“Although the elimination of the Premium Motor Spirit subsidy has brought difficulties, it has also given us a once-in-a-lifetime chance to invent and adopt more economical, efficient, and sustainable energy alternatives,” Ekpo said.
He noted that using CNG as a transport fuel is a globally mature technology, recognized as the cleanest burning fuel concerning nitro-oxide and soot emissions.
”CNG can power passenger cars and city buses, with CNG passenger vehicles emitting 5-10% less CO2 than their gasoline counterparts,” he added.
On his part, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, elaborated on the company’s commitment to maintaining energy security and expanding CNG access for Nigerians.
”NNPC, in partnership with Axxela Limited, decided to invest in six CNG mother and service stations across the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), each with a capacity of 5.2 MMscf/d,” he announced.
Kyari revealed that the initiative complements NNPC Retail’s phased deployment of CNG across more than 100 stations nationwide, alongside other joint ventures focused on CNG.
”The newly commissioned NNPC CNG Station in Ilasamaja is part of NNPC’s broader strategy to enhance domestic gas supply and utilisation through extensive gas infrastructure deployment,” he stated.
While speaking, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, affirmed that the establishment of the CNG plant aligns with his administration’s vision for economic development, job creation, and industrialisation in Lagos.
The NNPC CNG Station Ilasamaja, with a capacity of 5.2 MMscf/d, is equipped to serve vehicles and supply gas to industries and other companies.
The facility includes dispensing points for cars, buses, trucks, and tricycles utilizing CNG, capable of filling about 3,700 cars or 600 trucks/buses daily, ensuring a steady supply of CNG.
Meanwhile, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has approved 80 standards for using CNG.
This action is a component of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, which promotes energy alternatives that are more ecologically friendly, dependable, and safe.
Aspects of CNG consumption such as manufacturing, storage, transportation, and appliance compatibility are all covered by the approved standards.
