Tinubu Appoints Barrister Ismael Ahmed as Executive Chairman of Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Barrister Ismael Ahmed as the Executive Chairman of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi), a key component of his administration’s palliative intervention programme aimed at mitigating the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

Ahmed, 45, a former APC National Youth Leader and senior special assistant on the National Social Investment Programme under ex-President Buhari, will coordinate the operations of the PCNGi, which seeks to provide cheaper, more affordable, and cleaner energy alternatives to Nigerians.

The PCNGi, approved by President Tinubu in August 2023, aims to revolutionize Nigeria’s transportation sector by targeting over 11,500 new CNG-enabled vehicles and 55,000 conversion kits for existing petrol-dependent vehicles. It also focuses on boosting local manufacturing, assembly, and job creation, with an emphasis on mass transit systems and student hubs to reduce transit costs.

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Key features of the initiative include establishing a nationwide network of workshops for CNG vehicle maintenance and conversion, comprehensive training programs to develop technical skills, and incentives to attract investment in CNG processing and distribution. The program also supports the deployment of CNG buses through private and state mass transit operators, backed by innovative financing schemes.

President Tinubu’s commitment to the PCNGi underscores his administration’s drive to foster a cleaner environment by reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy security through the use of domestic natural gas resources, while stimulating economic growth and employment in the automotive sector.