In an effort to diversify the state’s transportation industry and lessen its reliance on oil, the Federal Government has formally launched the Conversion Incentive Programme in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The project aims to lessen the financial strain brought on by the elimination of fuel subsidies. The inauguration served as a test project to provide new guidelines for the state’s CNG vehicle conversion and training programs.
The Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG) is part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s relief measures to assist Nigerians facing the challenges following the removal of the fuel subsidy by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The government will make kits and cylinders available to all commercial vehicles through accredited Conversion Centres, and the conversion will be done free of charge.
The Chairman of Nsik Oil and Gas Limited, Nsikan Johnny, appreciated the federal government for the initiative and encouraged Nigerians to view the conversion of vehicles to CNG as a big relief to lessen the economic hardship occasioned by the removal of the fuel subsidy. He assured the citizens of a daughter station across the state and emphasized the company’s landmark development of a compressed natural gas mother station, which shall be commissioned soon in Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The state Commissioner for Transport in Akwa Ibom State, Orman Esin, represented by the Director of Transport, Bassey Akpanonong, highlighted the state government’s delight to have the Presidential CNG Initiative and stated that it would be a successful energy transition for the people of the state. Other goodwill messages were delivered by the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers.
