The Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) has called on the Nigerian government to implement a transportation policy mandating the use of gas-powered vehicles for public transportation which can also be extended to government activities.
It is also a policy that can be adopted at state and local government levels.
The formal adoption of such a policy will at the same time promote cleaner energy sources, align with the sustainability goals of the Nigerian Government, help reduce the nation’s reliance on traditional fuels and attract the necessary investment in downstream infrastructure that will create jobs and domesticate technology while facilitating successful implementation.
The NGA commended the government’s incremental adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for transportation and emphasised the importance of sustaining the momentum.
The Association acknowledged the efforts of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PiCNG) in deploying CNG conversion kits and urged the organisation to improve its gains in advancing CNG as a viable alternative energy source.
Mr. Akachukwu Nwokedi, President of the NGA, highlighted the broader implications of this shift toward natural gas-powered transportation for public transportation which can be extended to heavy-duty vehicles and trucks to make the movement of goods and products more affordable with positive benefits to end users.
“The transition to gas is not just an environmental imperative but an economic one. With potential operational cost savings of up to 70 per cent natural gas represents a tremendous opportunity for Nigeria’s economy to become more efficient and eco-friendlier,” he stated, instilling a sense of optimism about the potential positive impact on economic growth.
The NGA also congratulated Greenville LNG on completing its second test drive of LNG-powered trains, marking another pivotal milestone in Nigeria’s transition to more sustainable energy solutions. It reinforces the NGA’s advocacy for natural gas as the preferred energy source for driving economic growth and reducing the nation’s carbon footprint by effectively employing its abundant gas reserves.
Fueling Nigeria’s rail transportation system with natural gas is part of a larger initiative to transform the country’s transportation sector by reducing carbon emissions and promoting energy efficiency. “We are excited to see projects like Greenville LNG contributing to Nigeria’s Gas Initiative. It’s a shining example of how sustainable energy can drive positive change in the economy and the environment,” Mr Nwokedi added.
The NGA continues to champion eco-friendly practices and the transition to gas-powered solutions, encouraging both public and private sectors to embrace natural gas as a cleaner, more sustainable fuel option. This commitment inspires and motivates the audience to join the NGA in their advocacy for natural gas.