Federal Government to roll out mobile CNG refuelling stations in rural areas

The Federal Government is exploring mobile Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refuelling stations to improve gas availability in rural areas, especially for farmers seeking cheaper energy for irrigation, Vanguard reported. Ismaeel Ahmed, Chairman/CEO of the Presidential CNG Initiative and Electric Vehicles, disclosed this at the APC–Progressive Strategy Roundtable in Abuja.

Ahmed said farmers in northern Nigeria want to switch from diesel and petrol to CNG-powered irrigation pumps, which cover about three hectares compared with one hectare for solar pumps. He cited Jigawa State, where the governor said over two million farmers could benefit. He urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to speed up licensing for CNG stations.

Ahmed said the CNG programme has recorded about 143,000 vehicle conversions, with investments estimated at $2.6 billion. The roundtable heard that 1,350 mini-grids will be deployed under a $750 million project, while the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries, with combined capacity of about 445,000 barrels per day, are shut down.