By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – THE Federal Government on Tuesday said its Compressed Natural Gas initiative for vehicles remained a sure way to bring down the cost of transportation which has become high as a result of the removal of subsidy on petrol and global increase in the cost of crude oil.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo stated this in Benin City at the commissioning of the Diverse Automobile Hub and CNG Conversion Centre in Benin City, Edo State where he described the facility as a landmark investment that reflected the growing momentum of Nigeria’s gas-driven transition and industrial transformation agenda.

He said “Today is a day we should continue to celebrate Mr President because he is the initiator of what we are experiencing today, moving from expensive means of transportation to cost-effective alternatives.”

The minister commended Chairman of Auto Care Centre Benin, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, for what he called a bold and visionary initiative, noting that the facility represents more than an automobile conversion centre.

“It is a practical demonstration of private sector confidence in the future of natural gas as a cleaner, more affordable and sustainable fuel for transportation and industrial development in Nigeria.”

Ekpo added that the CNG hub supports the Federal Government’s initiative aimed at transforming Nigeria into a gas-powered industrial economy through the utilisation of the nation’s abundant natural gas resources for economic growth, industrialisation and energy security.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative Committee, Barrister Ismael Ahmed, described Edo as a pioneer state in Nigeria’s CNG development drive.

In his remarks, Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, said the automobile hub reflected the future that the state government is building for Edo.

Represented by his deputy, Hon Dennis Idahosa, Okpebholo assured investors that the state is safe and conducive for investment, stressing that security remains the administration’s top priority for economic growth.

“Our message is simple: bring your investments to Edo and we will protect them,” he stated.

Earlier, Engr. Ogbeifun said the automobile was established to create opportunities for youths and tackle unemployment in the state.

Ogbeifun said that since the establishment of the Centre in 2022, it has trained over 50 interns from tertiary institutions and other sectors, including beneficiaries sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

“Not many people in Benin understand what CNG and electric vehicles are all about, and I decided to venture into it to create jobs and attract investors into Edo State,” he said, while commending the administration of Governor Okpebholo for supporting investment and economic growth in the state.