The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu on Wednesday, discussed with the Programme Director/Chief Executive Officer, Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGI), Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, in Abuja to discuss setting up a CNG park within the Ajaokuta Industrial Park.
A statement from the Ministry, signed by Salamatu F. Jibaniya, Head, Press & Public Relations Department, quoted the Minister as saying that “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given a mandate that he wants a minimum of one million CNG vehicles on the road by 2027,” adding that there is a lot of work that needs to be done.
He said Ajaokuta Steel company, an agency of the Ministry, has what it needs to effectively collaborate with the Federal Government under the CNG initiative.
Prince Audu said one of the paramount objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ is the CNG Initiative, which is very critical following the removal of petroleum subsidy, and would reduce transportation costs by at least 40 percent.
The Minister said that the Ministry of Steel Development is collaborating with the P-CNGI to set up a CNG park within the proposed Industrial Park in Ajaokuta which is underway, to drive the CNG initiatives of Mr. President.
“One of the things we are also doing is the industrial park in Ajaokuta, where various categories of Companies will be under the industrial park within Ajaokuta.
“So, the CNG park will be one of the many components of the soon-to-be Ajaokuta Industrial Park.”
“Everything to actualize the CNG initiative and conversions are available in Ajaokuta, and so plugging in the CNG initiative is very viable; there is gas there, an engineering workshop is there, and a tools workshop to facilitate the construction or assemblies of the kits is also there.”
“Mr. President is indeed very excited about this initiative and the partnership between the Ministry and the P-CNGI, which drives the plans of industrialising Nigeria, diversifying and growing the economy, and creating jobs under the renewed initiatives,” Prince Audu said.
The Minister commended Engr. Olugbemi for the excellent job he is doing in actualizing the CNG initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu
lauded the initiative commending the partnership between the Ministry and P-CNGI, pledging the support of the Ministry and its team.
Mr. Olugbemi said that the Steel Industry is an absolute necessity for the actualization of the CNG initiative, adding that steel components are at the very heart of the project.
Olugbemi said that establishing the CNG park in Ajaokuta will be an evolution from importing some of the components to manufacturing them. This, he further explained, will address some of the challenges with transporting the CNG components into the country.
“The journey with the Ministry of Steel Development was critical from day one, and Ajaokuta is a hub with access to raw materials.
“We have hit the ground running already and are optimistic about excellent collaborations with the Ministry,” Olugbemi said.
Engr. Sumaila Abdul- Akaba, Sole Administrator, Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited said that the project was a welcome development to Ajaokuta especially in the revival phase of the company.
He assured P-CNGI of the cooperation of the steel company In bringing to fruition the realization of the project.
