Posted by The process of switching automobiles from fuel to compressed natural gas (CNG) has started in Ogun State thanks to the arrival of a team of technical engineers from India.
The action heralds the start of the state government’s E-Mobility and Gas Mobility Programme, which entails converting public transit buses from fuel to gas and tricycles and motorbikes to electric.
The four-person technical team will work on the pilot project, launch the first stage of the Gas Mobility Program, and then create a process map to scale up and carry out a phase-by-phase implementation on all the commercial buses in the state.
Recall that in March of this year, the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration, in collaboration with Nigerian Transport Solutions Limited (NGTSL), received receipt of the CNG conversion kits for the state’s mass transit buses to be powered by CNG during a pilot program.
The CNG initiative illustrates the administration’s dedication to a greener economy and assures more affordable transportation options in the state, especially in light of the Federal Government’s elimination of fuel subsidies in May.
Tokunbo Talabi, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), stated in a statement on Wednesday that the Indian engineers had begun the conversion process.
In accordance with the promise made by Prince Abiodun that the project would begin in the first week of August, he claims that the state’s mass transit vehicles will begin operating on CNG in the following days.
The CNG team is already on the scene. I was a member of the team that helped the government get the CNG kits earlier this year, and I went to the project site this morning (Tuesday). The Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun, is a man of his word and deserves all the assistance required to advance the state.
“The objective is to enhance and modernize bus operations in Ogun State through the conversion of buses to compressed natural gas and the installation of the most up-to-date equipment to enhance operational and environmental performance.
Additionally, it is anticipated that the newly outfitted buses will increase public transportation’s dependability, safety, and efficiency while lowering damaging air emissions. Twenty buses will be converted from diesel to CNG as part of the trial project, and performance will be evaluated before the initiative is expanded, the official added.
The crew is instructing local vehicle mechanics and technicians on CNG conversion, according to the SSG.
According to him, doing so will guarantee technological transfer and provide jobs for the state’s thronging youth population.
The conversion process, which would involve both the Bus Mass Transit vehicles now in service in the state capital of Abeokuta and additional buses that will be added to the fleet to serve the proposed Mowe-Berger axis, is anticipated to take four to six weeks.
According to Talabi, the plan will lessen the burden placed on the state’s citizens by the loss of subsidies through more affordable modes of transportation.