*The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has reiterated its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG) Initiative, aimed at providing Nigerians with an affordable and sustainable alternative fuel.
Speaking at an interactive session hosted by the House of Representatives Joint Committee on the Presidential CNG Initiative, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, emphasized the importance of regulation and standardization to prevent safety hazards arising from locally fabricated CNG tanks. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Pi-CNG Initiative seeks to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal and full petroleum sector deregulation, particularly in the transport sector. As the agency responsible for planning and coordinating national energy policies, the ECN has highlighted the urgent need for the involvement of all relevant stakeholders to ensure the safe, standardized, and efficient utilization of CNG across the country. Dr. Abdullahi recommended the inclusion of the Federal Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (FMITI), the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in regulating and training artisans engaged in CNG component fabrication. He also emphasized the importance of stronger collaboration between the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to ensure compliance with international safety standards. To accelerate CNG adoption, he stressed the need to expand access by increasing the number of refueling stations, reduce conversion costs through government incentives such as subsidies and tax exemptions, and enforce stringent regulations on locally manufactured CNG cylinders to guarantee safety. Under Dr. Abdullahi’s leadership, the ECN remains committed to working with all stakeholders to facilitate a seamless transition to cleaner and more affordable energy, ensuring the safety of Nigerians while boosting economic opportunities in the energy sector.
