Buhari to launch autogas scheme Dec 1

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Tuesday, December 1, launch the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) in Abuja.

The scheme is part of federal government’s efforts to create cheaper alternative fuel for equipment and vehicles.

According to a statement released on Sunday by Garba Deen Muhammad, spokesman for Timipre Sylva, minister of state for petroleum resources, the autogas program will deliver at least one million vehicle conversions by the end of 2021.

“The roll out is the culmination of the resolve of the President Buhari-led government to deepen domestic usage of natural gas in its various forms as well as making it the first choice source of cheaper and cleaner energy for Nigerians in their personal and industrial endeavours,” the statement read.

After the launch, 2 Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation retail stations will commence the formal dispensing of autogas, that is, compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) products.

Muhammad added that Sylva will also handover CNG-powered mass transport buses to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as part of the agreement reached during negotiations and in recognition of the hard work of the union to improve the lives of the country’s citizens.

In September, Sylva had said the removal of fuel subsidy will enable the government save N1 trillion, adding that alternative fuel would be introduced.

“We are giving auto gas. Gas will now become a fuel for our cars. This programme will be rolled out within the next one month,” Sylva said.

“So, if you go to a filling station and you convert your car to dual capability or dual fuel, then you drive into a typical filling station you will find gas LPG, you find CNG and NLG being sold. If you look at the price of PMS versus the price of gas and you think that gas is cheaper which of course, it is going to be cheaper.”