Photos:๐ง๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฏ๐ ๐จ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ถ๐น๐ ๐ก๐๐ฆ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ฒ I๐ป ๐๐ฏ๐๐ท๐ฎ
๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ก๐ฆ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฎ๐๐ฎ on Friday commissioned NASENI Compressed Natural Gas(CNG) Reverse Engineering Training, Filling and Conversion Centre in Abuja.
NASENI refers to National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure.
The agency was established in 1992 by the Federal Government to conduct developmental work in the area of manufacturing.
President Tinubu was represented at the event by the President of the Senate, ๐๐จ๐๐ฌ๐ฐ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐ค๐ฉ๐๐๐ข๐จ.
In his address, President Tinubu said: “Our administrationโs Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas Initiative(PiCNG) is a flagship program by which we are actively supporting a private-sector-led rollout of critical gas infrastructure to drive innovation and industrialization in Nigeria.
“It is also a major contribution to our vision of fully harnessing Nigeriaโs immense gas resources, as a transition fuel on the journey to net-zero, as envisaged by our Energy Transition Plan(ETP).
“Let me say that we are equally focused on the full range of energy options for powering Nigerian transport sector. So in addition to gas, electric vehicles are a major plank of our overall strategy.”
President Tinubu said he was aware that NASENI is championing efforts in this area, with an ambitious plan to develop and build lithium batteries in Nigeria, working with foreign partners.
“We can and will make Nigeria an African hub of the global Electric Vehicle revolution. Fortunately for us, Nigeria is blessed with abundant deposits of lithium, a key mineral in the development of Electric Vehicle batteries.
“We have put in a lot of work on the way to the full implementation of the PiCNG, and this commissioning today is testament to the success of our efforts.
“NASENI’s contribution to the development of technical and human capacity for converting engines to CNG demonstrates that we are a government that not only points out where we are headed, but also strives to lead by example.
“As Chair of the Governing Board of NASENI, I will continue to provide the oversight and overall leadership for the attainment of NASENIโs Strategic Launchpad aspirations.
“We will transform this agency into a model of public sector excellence and of public-private partnership,” he said.
Earlier, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, ๐๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ข ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฎ said the CNG Center was developed in partnership with Portland and Kia, demonstrating NASENIโs collaborative approach, and to leverage on existing infrastructure to achieve the agency’s mandate.
He said the facility commissioned could convert 15 cars every two hours, translating into an output of 2,700 conversions every month.
“Mr. President, by our calculations, if Nigeria is able to have ten (10) of this kind of facility in each of the 36 States and the FCT, we will be able to convert every vehicle in the country to CNG within one year.
“The reverse engineering work that will be done here will depend as much as possible on locally-sourced components. Our goal, as always, is to minimize capital flight, conserve foreign exchange, grow the local production economy, and create sustainable jobs and skills for Nigerians.
“I am proud to say that these are still early days for us at NASENI โ there is so much more that we are working on and will be rolling out in the months ahead, in line with our Strategic Launchpad, and the Presidentโs Renewed Hope Agenda. Welcome to the New NASENI!
“With this new Center, NASENI is very well positioned to meet the demand for CNG-powered vehicles, and CNG generators in Nigeria,” Halilu said.
