NNPC Ltd. Launches 12 CNG Stations in Abuja and Lagos to Promote Cleaner, Affordable Fuel

 The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has inaugurated 12 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations in Abuja and Lagos to provide Nigerians with more affordable and cleaner fuel options.

On Thursday, Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), simultaneously commissioned eight stations in Abuja and four in Lagos. The Abuja stations are located at Airport Road, Kubwa, Gaduwa, Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Zone 1, Dei-Dei Junction, Duste-Bwari Road, and Gwagwalada.

Under a strategic partnership with NIPCO Gas Ltd., NNPC Ltd. launched these stations to cater to various CNG vehicles, including tricycles, cars, buses, and heavy transport vehicles. The Abuja and Lagos stations have a combined dispensing capacity of over six million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of CNG daily, serving approximately 15,000 vehicles per day.

These stations feature advanced reciprocating and hydraulic booster compressors, ensuring a dispensing pressure of 200 bar for CNG vehicles. During the commissioning, Ekpo emphasized the Federal Government's commitment to driving the CNG initiative to promote gas prosperity. He highlighted the economic benefits, job creation, and significant contributions to Nigeria's goals of reducing emissions and combating climate change.

Ekpo stated, "Today, 12 stations are being commissioned simultaneously across the country, marking a significant step in gas prosperity. I commend NNPC Ltd. for ensuring CNG availability for Nigerians, and this effort is irreversible. From the current daily production, we are only using three percent, indicating that we can meet the demand. NNPC Ltd. and other investors are committed to developing new gas projects."

Malam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., mentioned that the Abuja station would soon connect to the AKK Gas Pipeline, becoming a mother CNG station. He added that the stations would be powered by gas-driven generators, reducing carbon emissions. The CNG will be supplied to stations in Abuja and Lagos via virtual transportation from mother stations in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, and Ibafo, Ogun State.

The CNG station on Airport Road, Abuja, includes a 5-bay CNG Vehicle Conversion Workshop capable of converting five to six vehicles daily. Under the Presidential CNG Initiative, NNPC and NIPCO Gas have partnered to expand CNG stations across Nigeria, with plans to construct 35 stations.

Mr. Toyin Subairu, Director of the Presidential-CNG Initiative, noted that using CNG at N230 per liter, compared to N680 per liter for fuel, could save drivers approximately N70,000 per week and N2.6 million per year. He also mentioned that the cost of conversion, about N600,000, would be surcharged at 50 percent for commercial vehicles to encourage adoption.

Subairu highlighted the growing interest in CNG conversion, with station attendants now able to convert 13 vehicles daily, compared to four previously. He added, "President Bola Tinubu aims to provide one million kits for free and offer free conversions to support Nigerians."