FG unveils three gas stations in Kano to boost CNG adoption

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo and other stakeholders at the event.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, on Tuesday inaugurated three liquefied-to-compressed natural gas (LCNG) facilities in Kano, describing them as symbols of energy equity and a major milestone in the Federal Government’s ‘Decade of Gas’ initiative.

The facilities were developed by Rolling Energy Limited with support from the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund.

They comprise a 300,000-standard cubic metres per day liquefied compressed natural gas distribution hub and a retail station at Tamburawa, Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area, as well as a 21,000-standard cubic metres per day LCNG daughter station and retail outlet at Hotoro, Tarauni Local Government Area.

Speaking at the commissioning, Ekpo said the projects demonstrated the Federal Government’s determination to translate its gas policies into infrastructure that would deliver tangible benefits to Nigerians.

“We must move from policies to projects, from plans to infrastructure, and from gas reserves beneath our soil to affordable energy that actually reaches our homes, businesses, industries and transportation systems,” he said.

The minister said the facilities would deepen gas penetration in Kano and neighbouring areas, provide cleaner energy alternatives, support businesses and transportation, stimulate economic activities and create opportunities for residents.

“What we commission today is more than three pieces of infrastructure. It is Renewed Hope made tangible: gas infrastructure delivered, energy brought closer to the people, businesses empowered, and new economic opportunities created,” Ekpo said.

He explained that the Tamburawa hub would provide LNG storage, regasification and CNG distribution services, including supplies to daughter stations, while the retail outlets would bring gas closer to end users.

Ekpo said the role of the MDGIF was critical to developing the domestic gas sector, noting that the government must attract private capital to build the infrastructure needed to expand access to gas.

“Government cannot stop at formulating good policies. We must catalyse the private capital and infrastructure required to translate those policies into benefits that Nigerians can see, use and feel,” he said.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles, Ismail Ahmed, said the commissioning reflected growing investment in CNG infrastructure across the country.

Ahmed, who was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Technical Training and Capacity Building, Omoh Imoukhede, said the expansion of refuelling facilities was necessary to support the increasing conversion of vehicles to CNG, particularly in commercial centres such as Kano, where many residents depend on affordable transportation for their livelihoods.

“Conversion without refuelling infrastructure will not deliver the transition we want. The two must grow together,” he said.

He added that convenient and reliable refuelling stations would encourage commercial drivers and fleet operators to adopt CNG, while the government would continue to prioritise affordability, availability and safety.

“When a commercial driver knows there is a station nearby, conversion becomes a more realistic decision. When a fleet operator knows that fuel will be available consistently, investment in CNG vehicles becomes ever easier,” Ahmed said.

The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Dr Gaddafi Sani Shehu, said the state was ready to support investments capable of improving infrastructure and commercial activities.

“Kano’s population and economic activities, as well as its commercial links with neighbouring states and other African countries, created significant demand for additional CNG facilities,” Shehu said.

He said existing stations were struggling to accommodate the growing number of CNG users, stressing the need for more investment and collaboration to expand the infrastructure across the state.

The commissioner recalled that Rolling Energy had approached the state government about securing the necessary approvals for the projects about one to two years ago, adding that their commissioning demonstrated the state government’s readiness to support initiatives capable of improving residents’ lives.