The Federal Government has said that about $2.5 billion would be saved yearly from every one million vehicle converted into Compressed Natural Gas-powered cars.

The Programme Director, Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas, Michael Oluwagbemi, disclosed this during the South-South/South-East Stakeholders Engagement Meeting on Presidential Initiative on CNG held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Friday.

Oluwagbemi explained that the initiative has the capacity to reduce the current inflation bedevilling the nation’s economy

He said the push for CNG by the Federal Government is germane for the economic development of the nation and to end the era of pollution and environmental degradation.

He noted that while the country has abundant, it lacked what it takes to utilise, pointing out that CNG is cleaner, cheaper and would reduce the cost of transportation.

Oluwagbemi stated, “The initiative of the government is critical to our national development and to the well-being of the people. Rivers State is the heart of the oil and gas region. Over the last five to six decades, these resources have continued to waste.

“Nigeria is the second largest waste of oil and gas. We exploit it and waste it then continue to suffer poverty. The president has set us on natural gas features and set up the nation on the path of growth. The use of gas ensures we have energy savings, mind you the price of Natural gas is controlled by the government.

“What the president is asking is to do more with the blessings God has given us. If we are able to move three million vehicles in the next three years we are going to end the era of environmental degradation.”

Oluwagbemi averred that the nation stands to benefit much with the energy transition, insisting that CNG is more reliable for the transportation sector of the country.

“Nigeria stands to gain a lot from the energy transition in the transportation sector. First and foremost, CNG is our own resource. Natural gas is everywhere in Nigeria. It is a much more reliable source of fuel in the transportation sector. No longer will there be crises out of Nigeria impact the economic livelihood of the country?

“It has the capacity of reducing inflation. It is cheaper. You can realize between 40 per cent to 50 per cent savings from patrol. This is good for Nigeria and it is safer. It is 18 times safer than petrol and diesel. It is cleaner and safer for the environment,” he added.

The Programme Director further said, “We will stop subsidising poverty importing unemployment and exporting jobs. We will be using our own natural gas to drive our transportation sector. To a common man, this translates to a reduction in the cost of transportation. Our job is to give incentives to the CNG vehicle. To ensure we close the financing gap that exists.

“There is enough demand for natural gas all we need to do now is to open stations, pipelines and conversation centres. When we convert our vehicles, 1,000,000 vehicles they will convert, it saves the country about $2.5 billion a year.

“This will also save us 6,000,000 litres a day. These are monies that we can spend on hospitals on roads.”

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of FEMADEC Energy Limited, Fola Akinola, disclosed that modalities have been concluded to open two CNG refuelling stations and two vehicle conversion parks in Port Harcourt.

Akinola said, “CNG is an old technology. We want to tell you that you have the opportunity to convert your vehicle from fuel to CNG. The stations will be launched in Port Harcourt and we are launching a refueling unit alongside. Rivers State is going to have a micro refuelling unit at Stadium Road and in GRA.

“For those that want to invest in CNG refuelling units it is available. Even those who have fuel State facilities can as well invest in this.”

Meanwhile, the Abia State Government said it has already diverted its N2bn subsidy palliative from the Federal Government for investment in CNG.

The Abia State Commissioner for Energy and Environment, Prof. Joel Ogbonna, informed the Presidential Initiative on the CNG committee that his state has set all grounds ready to key into the presidential directive, saying the state was ready to kick off.

He stated, “When Governor Alex Otti came, he declared a State of emergency on the environment. The governor has set aside N2 billion for the fuel subsidy for CNG. Abia State has set aside the Abia State Polytechnic for training in CNG.

“We have also developed an industrial park to be able to produce gas. We also want to pass a bill so that people will be told what to do to ensure safety so that there will not be hazards. We are ready to take off with the CNG.”

About 555 persons have been appointed to serve as chairmen and members of governing councils of tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu, according to the Ministry of Education in an advertorial signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, gave the approval of the pro-chancellors and chairmen of the Governing Board of universities, polytechnic and colleges of education.

He approved the appointment of Air Cdre. Emmanuel Jekada as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi State.

Members are Usua Charles Akpan, Sen. Lanre Tejuosho, Modu Mustapha and Olusegun Olufemi White

Also, a former Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, was appointed as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board of Bayero University, Kano, Kano State. Prof. Idris Nasiru Maiduguri, Prof. Uchenna Newi, Salisu Mohammed Birniwa and Ms Fola Akinsete are members.

The President appointed a former Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Martin Elech, as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board of Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State. Members are Imamuddeen Ahmed Talba, Ismalla Monammed, Prof. Seun Liberty and Moses Osogi.

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, was named the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State. Members are Opeyemi Aisha Oni, Rufus Bature, Wumi Ohwovoriole and Matthew Raymond Akpan.

For the University of Calabar, Cross River State, he appointed a former Governor of Adamawa State, Bala Ngalari, as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board and Dr. Adebisi Obawale, Idowu Mafimisibe, Nbadiwe Emelnmna and Sadat Garba as members.

Also, a former Governor of Zamfara State, Aliyu Shinkafi, was made the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal University in Jos, Plateau State.

Members are Malandi Sabo, Chijioke Okeifufe, Ayo Afolabi and Mohammed Abdullahi

Tinubu appointed a former Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Open University of Nigeria. Members are Mrs Betty Efekodah, Bawuro Bapetel Yahaya, Dr. Gidado Bello Kumo and Mr Bola Akinola

A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, was also appointed as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Sokoto State.
Members are Miss Mary Nyieor Yisa, R. O. Kazeem, Prof. Usman Musa and Dr. Anthony Usoro

Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, was made the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State. Members are Prof. S. E. Ogbeide, Rufai Chanchangi, Chief Mrs Glory Ekpo-Oho, and Patricia Seubittere Yakubu

See the list below:

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said it has started the sales of e-tags at airports.

FAAN confirmed this in a statement on Friday. “Following the presidential directive that all citizens are mandated to pay for e-tags at all the 24 federal airports across the country, we wish to inform the general public that the e-tags are available for sale from Friday, 17th May 2024 at the following locations,” it said.

“Lagos: Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, Terminal 1, 5th Floor) Office of HOD Commercial. Contact: 08033713796 or 08023546030.

“Abuja: Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, HOD Commercial Office (General Aviation Terminal) Contact: 08034633527 or 08137561615.”