Deregulation: NNPC to inaugurate CNG refilling plants across country

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has disclosed that it will soon begin activation of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refill stations for motorists across the country.

The corporation gave the hint in a statement by the Group General Manager Public Affairs Division, Dr Kennie Obateru, in Abuja, on Sunday.

The CNG (methane stored at high pressure) is a fuel that can be used in place of gasoline, diesel fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and its combustion produces fewer undesirable gases than the aforementioned fuels.

It will be recalled that the deregulation of the oil downstream triggered increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol in the country.

As a result of this development, the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources,Chief Timipre Sylva announced that the Federal Government will in the next couple of weeks inaugurate CNG Plants in all NNPC petroleum stations across the country.

The minister said that this would serve as an alternative to petrol for motorists in the country. He explained that the idea was to support the ongoing initiatives by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to provide alternative energy sources for Nigerians.

He quoted the Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Malam Mele Kyari, as saying that the National Oil Company had already keyed into the gas penetration agenda championed by the minister.

Kyari had stated that as an energy company with focus on cleaner and cheaper sources of fuel, the Corporation would continue to work with other stakeholders in the industry to provide viable alternatives to petrol.

According to the NNPC chief, this would ultimately lead to reduction in demand for the product and eventual reduction in price.