By Adedapo Adesanya
NIPCO has cut the cost of Auto Compressed Natural Gas (Auto CNG) to as low as N200 per standard cubic feet (scm) as part of efforts to promote the use of the fuel as an alternative to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also called petrol.
This happened as the company announced the completion of four CNG stations in the commercial city of Lagos.
The facilities would be opened for commercial operations by the end of April or May to become the first of its kind in the state.
The Managing Director of NIPCO Gas Limited, Mr Nagendra Verma said the firm has been involved in AutoCNG development and expansion since 2009.
Mr Verma, who assured sustainability of supply after commissioning said presently, for Cars, Taxis and Keke’s; AutoCNG is being sold at N200/scm against the petrol price of N610 per litre, in Lagos and N230/scm against the PMS price of N670 per litre in Abuja.
He further informed that similarly for heavy commercial vehicles, AutoCNG is being sold at N260/scm against the AGO price of N1,250 litre in Lagos and N290/scm against the AGO price of N1300 litre in Abuja.
“NIPCO Gas is sure that with the continuous focus and push by current government, AutoCNG will become the choice fuel for Nigeria which has the potential to reduce the pressure on importation as well as on Forex,” he added.
According to him, AutoCNG is a project for the masses and of National cause and importance.
“We are sure that once expanded across Nigeria, it will surely and relieve the masses and motorists from high fuel costs. We continuously seek blessings and support of the Government and media to make AutoCNG a reliever, cleaner and greener fuel for Nigeria,” he said.
Speaking on the the company’s strategy, Mr Verma said, initially the company started with Benin City and expanded the AutoCNG network to Ibafo in Ogun State and later on in Kogi State.
He stressed further that with the initiatives and clear mandate by the current government, the AutoCNG network also expanded to Abuja FCT, Ibadan in Oyo State and Oron in Akwa Ibom State.
NIPCO Gas presently operates 15 AutoCNG stations across Nigeria and CNG vehicles from Lagos can travel up to Abuja and Kaduna by taking CNG from in-between NIPCO Gas AutoCNG stations and soon motorists can travel across every nook and cranny of Nigeria.
Under current government directives, NIPCO Gas has partnered with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited for the expansion of AutoCNG stations across various states of Nigeria.
“Partnering with NNPCL under directives from the Presidency brings along a huge sense of responsibility and commitment towards masses of Nigeria and Government.
“NIPCO Gas is honoured with this trust and belief by the Government and NNPCL and has assured that we will not leave any stone unturned to make this AutoCNG expansion plan a reality which will relieve thousands and millions of citizens from the pain they are going through presently,” Mr Verma added.
He also disclosed that under the current partnership, 35 AutoCNG are planned to be constructed in a phased manner.
He also revealed that locations for 19 CNG stations have been identified and the firm has received stage-wise approval from NMDPRA and other statutory authorities.
He said the four CNG stations in Lagos are scheduled to be completed by the latest May 2024, adding, “For making this AutoCNG expansion project a reality, we are getting due support and guidance from all including but not limited to PCNGI, NMDPRA, SON, NNPC, other Ministries and Departments and Media too who are also keen to see this as reality in near future.”
Mr Verma said gas distribution and AutoCNG projects are highly capital-intensive projects that require huge investment and the highest level of commitment and perseverance and expressed hope that with support from all and with a continuous push from the Presidency, the firm will surely make it happen.
He went further to state that NIPCO Gas in addition to AutoCNG is also expanding the gas transportation pipeline towards Ibadan and the gas distribution network in the Lekki Free Zone.
“All these projects require huge investment and high gestation period. Once the above projects are commissioned, it will help in a greater way in deepening the utilisation of indigenous gas which remains under-utilised and reduce dependency on importation of other fossil fuels thereby reducing the pressure on forex,” he added.
Aduragbemi Omiyale 
Business Post Contributor