The Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI), on Monday, announced its plan to deploy 150 new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refilling stations across the country in the next 18 months.

In a press conference held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, CEO of the PCNGI, Michael Oluwagbemi, said that the initiative is committed to making access to CNG refilling easier.

Mr Oluwagbemi, referring to the planned deployment of the 150 new CNG refilling stations, said that, “To further bolster this base infrastructure, we have coopted our private sector partners to deploy over 150 new refueling locations in the next 18 months.”

He added, “NNPC have already deployed 12 sites, with 8 to go this quarter, and approval for additional 100 sought and secured for the next 18–24 months. NIPCO has imported equipment for 32 daughter station sites with 22 in operation and 8 under construction.”

The PCNGI boss also noted that companies like Bovas, Ay Shafa, Ibile Oil and Gas, and Mikano also have their CNG refilling sites under construction.

He said that the government is committed to making sure the initiative works for the good of Nigerians.

“At this point let me be clear, that the SOLE safety incident that occurred in Benin last year was a result of economic saboteurs engaged in illegal fabrication of CNG cylinders and were arrested by the police,” he said, referring to a CNG-powered vehicle that exploded in October last year at a NIPCO filling station in Benin, Edo State, leaving three people injured.

Mr Oluwagbemi cited that the incident was a result of economic saboteurs who fabricated illegal CNG cylinders and have since been brought to book.

He further assured members of the State House correspondents that, “With the Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System, NGVMS, in place, that incident will be avoided as only properly labelled & accredited vehicles with certified tanks will be refueled. The necessary steps to launch NGVMS are ongoing, and we expect it to be in place by year end.”

Mr Oluwagbemi promised that the Initiative “won’t relent in ensuring the safety of lives and investments of participants in the sector.”

“This is why we prioritized regulatory standards issuance from the get-go in March 2024 and continue to work with these agencies, especially Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON, & National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC. We enjoin all participants to ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements on safety and security,” he added.