The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has expressed its commitment to cleaner, alternative fuel for Nigerians as it handed over 35 hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses to the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG).
During a brief ceremony held at the NNPC Towers on Monday, the chief executive of NNPC Limited, Mr Bashir Bayo Ojulari, reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting the federal government’s gas aspirations.
Mr Ojulari, who stated that the move was in line with his organisation’s efforts to drive the adoption of CNG as a cleaner, cheaper and sustainable fuel alternative, added that the state-owned energy firm has recorded significant progress on gas supply, infrastructure, distribution and retail outlets.
“I am proud that NNPC Ltd is playing a pivotal role in driving the federal government’s gas agenda towards energy transition,” he stated.
On his part, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo said the CNG buses represent not just vehicles but serve as instruments of economic relief, social equity, and environmental responsibility.
“They signal a future where the ordinary Nigerian can commute safely, affordably, and efficiently,” he added.
The Minister described the initiative as a direct reflection of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, a bold step to reduce the cost of transportation, lessen dependence on petrol, and ensure the utilization of the Nation’s abundant natural gas resources for the benefit of the people.
Adding his input, the Executive Vice President for Downstream at NNPC, Mr Mumuni Dagazau, said the adoption of CNG as a fuel alternative has significant economic benefits for the Nation by reducing reliance on PMS and AGO as automotive fuels which also leads to substantial cost savings and supports the growth of local gas industry.
Also in his remarks, the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Mr Olalekan Ogunleye, said that as the CNG commercialization drive continues to gather momentum, NNPC will be there to lead the way.
The Programme Coordinator of the Presidential CNG Initiative, Mr Michael Oluwagbemi, commended the national oil company for supporting the initiative, stressing that the company has been a reliable partner for the Initiative since its commencement.