*Dangote Petroleum Refinery discloses the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative has welcomed its fuel distribution plan involving deployment of 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas trucks, describing it as a milestone to gas-powered transport in Nigeria

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s recent plan to directly distribute fuel to big-time corporate energy consumers with 4,000 CNG-powered trucks has received commendation of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

绿帽献妻 reports the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) said it welcomed the company’s fuel distribution plan that would enable it to deploy 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks across Nigeria.

Dangote Refinery recently announced that it has invested in the procurement of 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered tankers for this purpose in the economy.

PCNGI: Dangote’s move, a landmark, bold vote of confidence in CNG initiative

Addressing reporters on the sideline of the just concluded West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) in Abuja, FCT, Tosin Coker, Commercial Coordinator of PCNGI, said: 鈥淭his is a landmark development, and a bold vote of confidence in Nigeria鈥檚 gas-powered transportation future.

鈥淒angote Group鈥檚 decision to acquire 4,000 CNG trucks is not just significant in scale, it is also deeply strategic.”

Coker said: “It sends a powerful signal to the market that CNG is no longer a future aspiration but a present-day solution to energy cost, emissions, and supply chain risks. “PCNGI welcomes this development and views it as a defining milestone in our effort to mainstream gas-powered transport in Nigeria.鈥�

The Commercial Coordinator of PCNGI also noted that the Initiative is structured to drive adoption, catalyse investment, drive innovation, and accelerate Nigeria鈥檚 transition to cleaner, cheaper, and more sustainable transport fuels.

According to him, PCNGI and the Dangote Group are partnering to deepen CNG technology in Nigeria.

He further stated: 鈥淲e see the Dangote Group as a cornerstone partner in achieving nationwide penetration of CNG technology, particularly in the haulage and industrial logistics space.

“Our partnership will focus on regulatory support for their CNG vehicle and daughter station rollout where required, as well as technical alignment to ensure all infrastructure meets safety, design, and interoperability standards.”

The PCNGI top official said the Initiative had made significant inroads over the past year, with almost 300 conversion centres nationally, many of which are handling private conversions too, adding that in terms of accessibility.

There are conversion centres in at least 20 states of the Federation and the number of refueling stations is increasing every week, he said.

Coker disclosed the Presidential Initiative as well has a target to reach every local government area and certainly 1,000 refueling stations by 2027.

In terms of affordability, he said PCNGI is working with various banks and financing partners, including Credicorp to make the cost of conversion affordable to civil servants, lecturers and teachers and all tax-paying Nigerians through efforts like the CALM Fund, whereby payments for kits and conversions can be spread out over time.

Several conversion centres are also offering their own solutions in partnership with their finance partners, stated he.

Coker stated: 鈥淕lobally, millions of vehicles run on CNG, with decades of proven safety records in countries as diverse as India, Iran, Poland, Brazil, and Argentina. CNG cylinders are built to withstand very high pressure, rigorously tested, and equipped with multiple safety features.”

According to him, in the event of a leak, CNG, being lighter than air, disperses quickly, reducing the risk of fire.

In contrast, petrol pools and ignites more easily. Adding that the ignition temperature of CNG at close to 600 deg C is far higher than that of petrol.

He said: 鈥淭hrough PCNGI, we have instituted strict safety, training, and certification protocols for conversion centres, refuelling stations, and vehicle operators in line with international best practices and in collaboration with regulators like the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

鈥淭he upcoming Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System (NGVMS), which is a comprehensive inter-agency safety and regulatory system will ensure additional protection for all users and the general public.”