The Cross River State government inaugurated a pilot conversion and training centre in Calabar on Thursday, aimed at facilitating the conversion of vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). This initiative supports the government’s CNG program and seeks to mitigate the financial burden of fuel subsidy removal by lowering transportation costs.
During the commissioning, Governor Senator Bassey Otu, represented by Deputy Governor Rtd Hon Peter Odey, stated that this centre is the largest of its kind in Nigeria, setting a new standard for CNG vehicle conversion and technician training.
The Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG), part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s relief measures for the public amid fuel subsidy challenges, underscores the importance of CNG adoption. Engr Michael Oluwagbemi, Programme Director and Chief Executive of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi), represented by Tosin Coker, Head of Commercial, stressed that embracing CNG is essential for diversifying Nigeria’s transportation sector and reducing oil dependency. He noted that the CNG centre signifies a step toward a more sustainable and economically robust future for the nation.
Oludamola Akindolire, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Blue Stone Gas and Power Limited, urged Nigerians to view the vehicle conversion to CNG as a fresh opportunity. He affirmed Blue Stone’s commitment to promoting clean energy through sustainability and integrity. “We can convert up to 40 vehicles daily here—an unprecedented achievement in the country. As part of our strategy to provide immediate relief, we aim to establish a daughter station within six months and employ a mobile system to transport CNG to power vehicles in the interim,” he stated. Akindolire added that the facility will not only convert vehicles but also fill gas tanks using mobile systems, with plans to introduce three mobile CNG dispensers and expand gas infrastructure across the state.
Dr. Justin Beshel, Commissioner for Science and Technology, announced that the PCNGi has provided 500 conversion kits at no cost to the state. He highlighted that the centre features advanced facilities, including 13 vehicle conversion pits and hydraulic car lifts for safe maintenance. The training centre can accommodate around 100 technician trainees simultaneously, offering practical experience and individualized instruction. It includes a dedicated section for tricycle conversion and maintenance.
“The training programs are certified by esteemed organizations such as the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Nigerian Institute of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE), as well as international bodies, ensuring that the technicians trained here meet global standards,” he added.
Goodwill messages of support were received from the Nigeria Automobile Technician Association (NATA) Cross River State Council and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).
The event concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between PCNGi, Blue Stone Gas and Power Limited, and the state government, officially designating Calabar as a centre for CNG vehicle conversion and technician training.
