The Ogun State Government asserts that its policy of promoting the use of alternative clean sources of energy, inclusive Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electricity, for fueling vehicles across the state supports the global objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reducing the environmental impact of transportation. The government further recognizes that, compared with diesel fuel, the use of CNG fuel in vehicles also has the added advantage of reductions in vehicle operating and maintenance costs.
While taking delivery of vehicle CNG conversion kits, the State Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, emphasized that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration’s initiative to adopt CNG fuel for state owned rolling stock assets aligns with the state transport policy objectives co-developed with the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (UKFCDO).
Engr. Dairo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Sola Osasona, stated that the project, in partnership with MAUTO HOLDO DMCC, would have a first phase consisting of installing CNG conversion kits on 15 Ashok Leyland mass transit buses and 2 Hyundai buses in use by Ogun MDAs.
He added that the soon to commence conversion process for the pilot phase will serve as a test run and is expected to take between four to six week. It will involve the Bus Mass Transit buses currently in operation in the state capital, Abeokuta as well as others to be deployed in the fleet to serve the planned Mowe-Berger Axis BMT scheme (also co-developed with UKFCDO) ahead of its full rollout across the state once the expected operational and environmental performance advantages have been verified and confirmed.
He noted that MAUTO have deployed specialist engineers and technicians to the state to provide ‘hands-on’ training to locally based auto mechanics and technicians on CNG conversion and that MAUTO is also working with the state government towards entering into a joint venture to plan, design and establish a modern workshop facility with adequate capacity to undertake industrial scale conversion of vehicles to CNG use.
According to the Commissioner, the initiative would lead to a cleaner economy, provide job opportunities during the conversion process, and reduce the cost of fuel, saying that with diesel prices being deregulated and petrol prices increasing, natural gas is currently the cheapest form of fuel.
Also Speaking , the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Political Affairs and Administration, Office of the Governor, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, described Governor Dapo Abiodun as a man who keeps his promises. He stated that the delivery of the kits is a testimony to the governor’s commitment to achieving an eco-friendly means of transportation.
On his part, the Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Energy, Mr. Olaniji Adedapo, revealed that the State government plans to achieve this through a “Gas-to-Transport” strategy that includes the conversion of all BMT buses to natural gas. He added that the project is also part of a gas-to-power strategy that would light up some parts of the state.
