Barbara Bako, Abuja.
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure nationwide, targeting an additional 500 refuelling stations towards establishing a network of 1,000 stations to reduce transportation costs for Nigerians.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, stated this during the commissioning of five additional CNG daughter and last-mile retail stations developed by Ibile Oil and Gas Corporation (IOGC), with support from the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), in Lagos State.
Ekpo said the expansion was part of President Bola Tinubu’s directive to deepen domestic gas utilisation and ensure that the country’s natural resources translate into tangible economic benefits for citizens.
The newly commissioned facilities are located in Idimu, Abule Egba, Oko-Oba, Ajah and Ogolonto.
According to the minister, each station has a compression capacity of 24,000 standard cubic metres per day and storage capacity of 9,800 standard cubic metres, providing access to CNG closer to consumers.
He said the facilities would expand the options available to motorists and commercial transport operators, while supporting efforts to reduce operating costs for businesses and transportation expenses for commuters.
Ekpo stressed that the success of the Federal Government’s CNG programme should not be measured merely by the number of stations commissioned, but by the extent to which the infrastructure reduces transportation costs and improves the welfare of Nigerian households.
He commended the Lagos State Government, IOGC and MDGIF for their collaboration, noting that partnerships between federal and state governments, investors and industry stakeholders were essential to accelerating gas infrastructure development.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of MDGIF, Mr Oluwole Adama, said the five stations had a combined storage capacity of 45,640 standard cubic metres and could serve approximately 8,400 vehicles daily at full capacity.
Adama said the facilities would bring cleaner and more affordable fuel closer to transport operators, businesses and households, while supporting economic activities across the state.
He explained that increased access to CNG would help commercial drivers spend less on fuel, enable fleet operators to manage operating expenses more effectively and contribute to improved air quality.
The MDGIF executive director, however, emphasised that sustained gas supply, safe operations and professional maintenance would be critical to ensuring the long-term success of the projects.
He urged transport operators, fleet owners, businesses and public institutions to utilise the facilities, while calling on IOGC to maintain high standards of safety and service delivery.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of IOGC, Mr Temitayo Gbajumo, disclosed that the corporation had been mandated to deliver 15 CNG stations across Lagos State.
He said the five newly commissioned facilities were in addition to earlier commissioned stations, while the remaining six projects, currently at different stages of completion, were expected to be delivered by the first quarter of 2027.
Gbajumo said the initiative was designed to establish an ecosystem that would improve access to affordable energy, reduce transportation costs, stimulate economic activities and create employment opportunities.
He acknowledged the support of the Federal Government, Lagos State Government and MDGIF, alongside contractors, consultants, regulators and the IOGC project team, in delivering the projects.
The commissioning forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to expand domestic gas infrastructure, promote alternative fuel adoption and harness Nigeria’s natural gas resources to support economic growth.
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