The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) has teamed up with Ax Gas to open a new CNG auto conversion centre in the Lakowe area of Lekki, Lagos State. The centre, launched on Sunday, aims to accelerate the shift from petrol to compressed natural gas by offering free vehicle conversions for government-owned and commercial vehicles.
The facility can convert up to seven vehicles daily and also houses a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) plant, which will serve nearby communities with cooking gas.
Ax Gas Chief Executive Officer, Andre Bassey, explained that while public and commercial vehicles will be converted for free, private car owners can also access the service at a highly subsidised rate. He emphasized that the move aligns with PCNGI’s goal to reduce transport costs and encourage the use of cleaner, more affordable fuel.
“Petrol is now about N930 per litre, while the CNG equivalent costs roughly N350,” Bassey said. “That’s almost three times cheaper. If there’s a way to spend less on fuel, it only makes sense to switch.”
The PCNGI supports conversion partners by offering regulatory support, licensing, and conversion kits. Bassey clarified that Ax Gas built the facility, while PCNGI supplied the conversion kits, ensuring lower operational costs and enabling free service for target groups.
He addressed safety concerns around gas-powered vehicles, insisting that certified CNG cylinders are thick and built to withstand high pressure. He blamed past explosions on the use of cooking gas cylinders in vehicle conversions and warned against patronizing unlicensed operators. “People must go to government-accredited centres like ours for safe and insured conversions,” he said.
The centre also includes a training facility to educate the public on the safety and benefits of switching to CNG.
On cooking gas, Bassey stated that prices will only stabilise when local supply improves. “We need more domestic producers to supply LPG consistently to keep prices low and stable,” he added.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), represented by his technical assistant Rosilu Emmanuel, praised Ax Gas for driving innovation in Nigeria’s automotive and energy sectors. He noted that the dual launch of a CNG centre and LPG plant reflects the kind of industrial collaboration needed to promote sustainable transport solutions.
Also present was the former Chairman of the LPG and Downstream Natural Gas Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who applauded the initiative. He said the new facility would expand domestic gas access, attract investments, create jobs, and support Nigeria’s broader shift toward affordable and sustainable energy use.
As inflation and fuel prices continue to pressure households and businesses, stakeholders believe initiatives like this will ease transportation costs while driving the country’s transition to cleaner energy sources.
