Kwara State government on Wednesday launched the conversion and installation of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles in Ilorin, the state capital.
The feat, described by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as safer and cheaper against others run on petrol, was acclaimed to be the first of its kind in Nigeria.
Speaking at the official launching of the Rolling Energy station doing the conversion, AbdulRazaq disclosed that the state government has converted 20 of its petrol-engine vehicles to natural gas vehicles, adding that more would soon be added to the number.
According to him, the breathtaking exercise is an offshoot of excessive reliance on petrol judiciously corrected by President Bola Tinubu when he removed the oil subsidy.
He said, “What we are witnessing today is the beginning of new future marking our new lifestyle.”
He said: “This is the direct benefit of oil subsidy removal by President Bola Tinubu,” adding that between last year and now, the president has given backing to natural gas over petrol.
“We have converted 20 government vehicles to CNG for test drives; we shall convert all in few months,” he assured.
Noting that the exercise would create more jobs, especially for the youth, AbdulRazaq assured residents that the conversion is safer and cheaper.
Speaking earlier, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rolling Energy, Mubarak Danbata, enjoined all to embrace the Presidential Conversion of Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGi) which he described as the in-thing.
“I am free to announce our readiness for President Bola Tinubu’s decision to reduce our many dependencies on petrol.
“We are poised to join the government to increase resilience to provide reliable services to the state,” adding that the station is capable of converting six petrol vehicles to CNG daily.
“PBAT’s Initiative reflects our joint commitment to lift the nation. This Is a sufficient energy future collaboration; it is all about securing new future for the generation yet to be born,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of P-CNGi, Michael Oluwagbemi, urged all to embrace the future as well as commend the PBAT for his foresight and determination to take the country several miles into the future.
Meanwhile, the old national anthem has regained ground in the state as it was sang with nostalgia at the event with residents jumping and clapping after the last stanza.
