Following the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as fuel, the Federal Government has commenced the conversion of 150 commercial vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), free of charge, in Kaduna State.

The Coordinator of the initiative, Thomos Ayu said the the conversion kits will be distributed and installed at no cost to commercial vehicles in Zaria, Peugeot Kakuri, and Royal Energies in Kakau.

The move he said was aimed at reducing the cost of transportation, adding that the Federal Government intend to distribute 10,0000 conversion kits to ensure that the commercial transport sector is fully equipped to adopt CNG in the state.

He said the initiative was handing over 150 CNG kits cylinders to its partners to improve the transport sector and reduce the impact on the price of fuel across the country.

Team Lead for the CNG conversion initiative at the National Institute for Transport Technology (NITT) Centre, Dauda Suleiman, while speaking during the pre-conversion tests for 50 vehicles belonging to commercial transport union members in Zaria, Kaduna State, said the beneficiaries including the National Union of Road Transport Workers of Nigeria, National Association of Transport Owners, Association of Taxis among others will be getting their kits free of charge.

He explained that the removal of subsidy on petrol and government’s emphasis on CNG was due to its abundance and lower cost.

He said a kilogram of CNG goes for N230 in Abuja and N455 in Kaduna, making it cheaper than petrol. Additionally, CNG covers more distance than petrol, making it a cost-effective option.

He added that the cost of conversion varies, depending on the location and availability of kits

Explaining further, Suleiman emphasized that CNG is 90 percent maintenance-free, saying, “CNG requires minimal maintenance beyond regular vehicle maintenance. We also offer training programs for mechanics to address any concerns.”

The Chairman of the Zaria branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers of Nigeria, Comrade Lawal Abdullahi, commended the Federal Government to coming up with the initiative to convert commercial vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).