The Presidency has sought to allay considerations concerning the security of Compressed Pure Gasoline-powered automobiles, not too long ago launched in Nigeria as a substitute for petrol-powered vehicles.
The Particular Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Data and Technique, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed these fears in a submit on X on Thursday whereas responding to experiences on Malaysia’s plan to section out CNG-powered automobiles by 2025.
PUNCH On-line earlier reported that the Malaysian authorities announced plans to section out CNG automobiles and finish the sale of pure gasoline automobiles by July 2025.
In keeping with native media supply Free Malaysia At this time, Malaysia’s Minister of Transport, Anthony Loke, made this announcement at a press convention on Monday. He defined that the choice was supposed to guard highway customers and the general public from the potential hazards posed by ageing CNG tanks.
Loke was quoted as saying, “These NGV tanks have a secure utilization lifespan of roughly 15 years, and if they don’t seem to be changed, they change into unsafe to make use of and will fail at any time.” From July 1, 2025, CNG-powered automobiles will now not be registered or allowed to function in Malaysia.
Nevertheless, Onanuga clarified that Malaysia’s coverage was centered on the security of Liquefied Petroleum Gasoline (LPG), not CNG.
He added that Nigeria selected CNG particularly for its security and cost-effectiveness, with plans underway to develop home tank manufacturing capability.
Onanuga wrote, “Some clarification on Malaysia’s plan to section out CNG-powered automobiles:
“The Malaysian subject pertains to the security of LPG, NOT CNG. Within the authentic report, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said, ‘There are additionally some automobile homeowners who’ve modified their automobiles utilizing liquefied petroleum gasoline (LPG) cylinders, that are very harmful.’
“NGV covers each CNG and LPG. Nigeria, in its transition, has adopted CNG ONLY, not each, attributable to legitimate security and price considerations concerning LPG.”
Onanuga additional famous, “Malaysia’s programme for CNG-powered automobiles struggled, attaining solely a 0.2% conversion price over 15 years. In contrast, nations like India, China, Iran, and Egypt have seen appreciable success.”
He added that Malaysia confronted difficulties in changing 15-year-old tanks attributable to restricted manufacturing capability, whereas Nigeria, in its first yr of adopting CNG, is already addressing this.
Malaysia launched CNG for taxis and airport limousines within the late Nineteen Nineties, whereas Nigeria started its personal CNG initiative in 2024 as a substitute transportation gas.