FG to rollout CNG pump stations in 3 months

9,000 of Nigeria’s 10,000 filling stations, according to the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP), have met the requirements to be designated as multi-fuel stations where drivers can recharge with both autogas and petrol.

At the Nigeria Automotive Journalists Association (NAJA)’s annual training session, conducted over the weekend in Lagos, the association’s chairman, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim, revealed this.

“Under our NGEP programme, we have what we call the multi-fuel scheme, whereby we do not intend to shut down the current petrol stations we have in the country – about 10,000 of them. Earlier, we carried out an audit where 9,000 out of 10,000 qualify for retrofit to become multi-fuel,” Mr Ibrahim said.

“So, what is going to happen, and we have a couple already in the system, is: you drive into a filling station, you are going to have dispensing facilities for your petrol, diesel, and kerosene. In addition, you are going to have dispensing facilities with the cryogenic tower that enables you to have access to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), a dispensing pump for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), and also a charging point for your electric vehicles.’’

“It becomes a multi-fuel retail outlet that enables you to have access to LNG for your long hauls, CNG for your 300-kilometre maximum, and conventional petrol, diesel and kerosene.”

This development is part of the president’s Bola Tinubu-led administration’s plan to divest from the country’s heavy dependence on petrol to CNG.