The Democratic Front (TDF) says the decision by state governors to invest in compressed natural gas (CNG) is a direct result of President Bola Tinubu’s sustained advocacy for cheaper transportation.

TDF ‌⁠‍‍⁠⁠‌‍‌⁠‌⁠‌said the decision demonstrates growing state-level support for Tinubu’s commitment to developing CNG as a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum products.

This is contained in a statement by its chairman, Danjuma Muhammad, and secretary, Wale Adedayo, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The pro-democracy think tank described the governors’ resolve as the clearest indication yet of the states’ readiness to collaborate with the federal government to reduce transportation costs.

TDF recalled that Mr Tinubu launched the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) in August 2023, following the removal of petroleum subsidy.

The group said the initiative was introduced as a palliative measure to reduce energy and transportation costs for Nigerians.

It stated that Mr Tinubu remained committed to developing CNG infrastructure despite the challenges involved in establishing the facilities nationwide.

It said the initiative had resulted in 90 certified CNG filling stations, more than 450 conversion centres across 23 states and over 120,000 vehicle conversions.

TDF added that another 100,000 CNG conversion kits were currently being deployed across the country.

It noted that commercial transporters in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt and Enugu had increasingly migrated from premium motor spirit (PMS) to CNG.

The group also said a significant number of heavy-duty interstate transporters previously dependent on automotive gas oil (AGO) had adopted CNG as a cheaper alternative.

“This is a remarkable indication that the president’s commitment to providing Nigerians with a cheaper alternative source of energy to cushion the biting effect of petroleum subsidy removal on the masses has unwittingly triggered a positive transformation in the transportation sector,” it said.

TDF acknowledged that CNG penetration remained slow but expressed optimism that the governors’ decision would accelerate its adoption nationwide.

It said the development had validated Mr Tinubu’s position that sustainable energy alternatives, rather than petroleum subsidies, offered a lasting solution to rising transportation costs.

“This collective decision by the state governors to explore CNG in addressing the rising cost of transportation has once again validated President Tinubu’s position that the solution to the high cost of transportation is not in the reintroduction of another opaque and disastrous petroleum subsidy regime,” it said.

The group criticised the proposal attributed to the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for the reintroduction of petroleum subsidy.

TDF argued that Nigeria should instead accelerate the development of cheaper energy sources, including CNG and electric vehicles, for transportation.

“It is on this note that we wholeheartedly welcome the establishment of an implementation committee to oversee the joint federal and state governments’ measures for reducing the cost of transportation in Nigeria, starting from October 1st this year.”

It urged Nigerians to support the CNG initiative, saying wider access to cheaper and sustainable energy would ultimately benefit citizens and the economy. 

(NAN)