Tinubu promises NUPENG greater role in CNG initiative

By Firdaus Jibril

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised greater involvement for the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in the implementation of the Federal Government’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative.

Tinubu made the commitment on Thursday in Abuja when he received the national executive of NUPENG, led by its National President, Comrade Salimon Akanni Oladiti, at the State House.

The President said the union would be given more inclusion in the implementation of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas, while challenging NUPENG to ensure that the benefits of the programme reach commuters.

The development comes as the Federal Government continues to promote CNG as an alternative fuel for transportation and part of efforts to expand the use of Nigeria’s natural gas resources.

Tinubu’s commitment also brings the country’s petroleum workers’ union closer to the implementation of the CNG programme, particularly given NUPENG’s representation of workers involved in the petroleum and transportation value chains.

The President did not provide specific details on the form of NUPENG’s increased participation or announce a timeline for the union’s involvement.

During the meeting, NUPENG also appealed to the President to sustain efforts to revive Nigeria’s refineries, saying functional refineries would strengthen the country’s energy security, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and create more opportunities for Nigerian workers.

The union’s leadership also commended the administration’s decision to remove petrol subsidy, describing the policy as a step that had helped free resources for infrastructure development and other sectors of the economy.

Tinubu’s promise of greater NUPENG involvement in the CNG programme comes as the government continues to expand CNG infrastructure and encourage the conversion of vehicles to gas-powered systems.