From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo has assured that the President Bola Tinubu led administration is working to better the situation of the country.
Ekpo spoke on Friday during the launch of the rideshare CNG conversion incentive program and My CNG App in Abuja.
Recall that the federal government recently offered a 50% discount on conversion kits with free installation to Ride-share companies also known as e-hailing taxis such as Bolt and Uber.
The minister said the initiative is part of the administration’s commitment to providing accessible and affordable transportation for Nigerians.
He explained that by offering a 50% discount for rideshare drivers upon sign-up and scheduling through the My CNG App, the government is not only making CNG a more viable option but also easing the financial burden on drivers.
According to him, “This will translate to more affordable transportation options for the users. As you are all aware, Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural gas reserves, positioning us as a key player in the global energy landscape.
“However, our mission is not just to harness this resource for economic gain but to ensure that its benefits are felt by every Nigerian, especially in ways that directly impact their daily lives.
Ekpo further stated that the rideshare sector is a vital part of the nation’s urban transportation system, providing flexible and cost-effective mobility solutions to millions of Nigerians, particularly the youth.
He noted however, that the rising costs of traditional fuels have posed a significant challenge to both drivers and passengers, often leading to higher fares and reduced access to affordable transportation.
“The CNG Conversion Incentive Program, in conjunction with the My CNG App, is a bold response to these challenges. This will translate to more affordable transportation options the users.
“CNG, as we know, is a cleaner and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fuels. Its adoption is in line with our national objectives to reduce carbon emissions and contribute positively to global efforts to combat climate change. By transitioning to CNG, we are taking decisive steps towards a greener, more sustainable future for Nigeria,” he added.
Similarly, Michael Oluwagbemi, Program Director/CEO of the Presidential CNG Initiative in his remarks said that the country’s CNG sector will boost the e-hailing sector and ensure that citizens benefit from the government policy of cheaper and more efficient transportation sector.
“Transportation forms a significant proportion of what we spend on daily basis. Indeed, we know that transportation is responsible for about 14 to 15 percent of average family spending.
“We have all witnessed the incidences in our political scene in the last couple of weeks, and underlying all of these incidences are the rising cost of living.
“Nigeria’s CNG sector is here to make the e-mailing sector move faster, to ensure that young people, old people, even middle-aged people can benefit from the government policy of cheaper, safer, more reliable, and cleaner fuel for the transportation sector,” he stated.