The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has issued a strong warning to motorists against using roadside Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion centres.
The warning was issued by the Director-General of NADDC, Oluwemimo Osanipin, during the ninth annual training workshop of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) held in Lagos.
The event focused on the theme: “CNG/LPG/EV Initiative: Challenges, Sustainability, Opportunities, Alternative to Fossil Fuels in Nigeria.”
Osanipin, represented by Ikechukwu Okoha, Assistant Director of Press and Protocol at NADDC, emphasized the necessity for accredited centres to have standardized equipment and certified personnel.
He stressed that accreditation is crucial for ensuring the technical aspects of vehicle conversions are conducted safely.
He noted that in collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), NADDC aims to enhance safety measures for CNG conversions.
Osanipin stated, “The role of the FRSC is to ensure that converted vehicles without a conversion certificate are stopped from plying the road.”
According to him, to promote gas-powered vehicles, NADDC has partnered with global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and has engaged in local initiatives, including training programs for technicians and the manufacturing of conversion kits.
He said the council has developed a CNG conversion portal for the registration and accreditation of CNG conversion workshops throughout Nigeria.
He added that in recent efforts, NADDC coordinated training for 45 technicians from Ekiti State on converting petrol vehicles to CNG, conducted by Lanre Shittu Motors.
“Currently, approximately 30 workshops have been licensed for CNG conversion in Nigeria,” he stated.
In a related development, Dana Motors, a key player in Nigeria’s automotive industry, has introduced fully CNG-powered buses, assembled at its facility along the Oshodi-Apapa expressway in Isolo, Lagos.
Regarding the milestone, Jacky Hathiramani, Managing Director of Dana Motors, described it as a “new dawn for Nigeria’s energy and automotive sectors.”
He also emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge, eco-friendly, affordable vehicles to the Nigerian market.
