In a bid to alleviate the economic impact of the fuel subsidy removal, the federal government officially launched the Conversion Incentive Programme under its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Friday.

During the inauguration, Michael Oluwagbemi, CEO and Program Director of the Presidential CNG project, highlighted the primary goal of converting one million vehicles to run on CNG at no cost to the vehicle owners.

This initiative, according to him, aligns with the President’s commitment to ease the burden on Nigerians. Oluwagbemi further elaborated that the program will collaborate with four newly signed conversion centres in Ogun State to meet its target.

He emphasized that the launch of the initiative represents a direct response to the President’s previous national address, where the President acknowledged the challenges Nigerians are facing and pledged to support them.

Oluwagbemi stated, “We are here to officially kick off the Conversion Incentive Programme as part of the President’s promise to convert a million vehicles for free.

Today, in Abeokuta, we begin fulfilling that commitment. We will be working alongside conversion centres here in Ogun State, four of which have already been signed up.”

He also noted that the conversion kits will be distributed to commercial drivers, particularly those affiliated with transport unions such as the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO), the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

According to Oluwagbemi, Ogun State now has 60 conversion centres across the country as part of this federal initiative. “Each centre will receive free conversion kits, provided by the Federal Ministry of Finance, to carry out the conversions.

Fifty nominees from each of the three major unions will have access to these facilities, ensuring that conversions begin promptly,” he said.

Once the vehicles are converted, drivers will be able to refuel at designated CNG stations, several of which are already operational within the state.

In addition, Jide Onakoya, Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun on Energy, expressed optimism about the programme’s impact.

He described it as a transformative development for Ogun State, adding that it would significantly contribute to reducing environmental pollution while offering cost savings for drivers and commuters alike.