President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate distribution of about 100,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion kits nationwide to cushion the impact of rising petrol prices on Nigerians, following the escalation of conflict in the Middle East.
Ismaeel Ahmed, executive chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), spoke on Tuesday after a meeting with the President at the State House, Abuja.
Ahmed said Tinubu’s directive is part of a broader push by the federal government to cut transportation costs and expand alternative energy use amid global oil market volatility triggered by the ongoing United States–Israel war with Iran.
According to a survey conducted by The Cable on Tuesday, it was observed that the price of petrol — which surged past N1,000 per litre on March 7 — continued to rise in several states, including Lagos, Ogun, and Kaduna.
The survey also showed that as petrol prices soared, commuters across several states faced higher transport costs, doubling on some routes.
“The President, as usual, is always trying to get information on what is going on, especially with the war in the Middle East and the rising cost of petrol and diesel,” Ahmed said.
He said about 100,000 conversion kits would be rolled out over the next two to three weeks, enabling vehicle owners, including tricycle operators to convert their engines to run on gas.
According to Ahmed, Tinubu has also ordered an accelerated expansion of infrastructure for CNG refuelling and electric vehicle (EV) charging nationwide, with emphasis on key transport corridors in the northern region.
“We must be able to fast-track the infrastructure in bringing gas, CNG and electric mobility charging infrastructure to every part of the country, especially within the Northern Corridor,” he said.
