The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Mr Ismaeel Ahmed, has urged Nigerians to embrace CNG as an alternative fuel to reduce transportation costs.
Ahmed, represented by Mr Andrew Abu, Coordinator for North-Central, South-East and South-South initiative, disclosed this at the public presentation of a book on Tuesday in Abuja.
The book, “Leading to Make a Difference”, was authored by Mr Steve Elaigwu Ogwuche.
He said the removal of fuel subsidy had increased transportation costs and placed financial burden on Nigerians, adding that the government was working to reduce the impact through the promotion of CNG.
“Everybody is feeling the pinch when it comes to the cost of fuel today.
“The government is doing all it can to ensure that we drive down the cost of transportation for the average Nigerian, especially those at the lower end of the ladder,” he said.
According to him, the CNG initiative is aimed at providing Nigerians with a cheaper, cleaner and more affordable alternative to petrol and other fossil fuels.
Ahmed said although the country had yet to attain its desired level of CNG adoption, significant progress had been recorded in the last three years.
He disclosed that Nigeria had about 12 million vehicles, adding that about 120,000 vehicles had been safely converted under the government’s conversion programme, while more than 200,000 vehicles were currently operating on CNG.
“We will continue to do our best to provide the infrastructure needed to service the vehicles being converted, and I urge every Nigerian to key into this alternative,” he said.
Ahmed said beneficiaries of the conversion programme had testified to reductions in the amount they spent on fuel.
He also commended the author for documenting the contributions of Nigerians who had made a difference in society, saying the country should celebrate living heroes rather than wait until they died.
He said the meeting provided an opportunity to appreciate Ogwuche’s work and encourage him to continue his efforts.
“I did not do that because he is from my clan. I did it because I believe we must move away from celebrating people only after they have died and begin to recognise living heroes,” he said.
He described Ogwuche as a determined and persistent person, adding that the support he had received for the project reflected the confidence people had in his vision.
He urged the author to remain steadfast and continue his work, while thanking guests who travelled from different parts of the country to attend the event.
, Mr Ismaeel Ahmed, has urged Nigerians to embrace CNG as an alternative fuel to reduce transportation costs.){kind=link}