The Technical Adviser, Gas Business and Policy Implementation to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Justice Derefaka has said that the Federal Government’s autogas scheme is capable of creating about two million jobs annually.
Derefaka made the assertion on Saturday during a TEDx programme on power and energy. He stated that the autogas scheme was initiated by the National Gas Expansion Programme in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and other stakeholders with their technical and financing partners.
With the deregulation of the downstream sector, Derefaka noted that autogas was introduced as an alternative fuel for automobiles and other prime movers in Nigeria.
[Also Read] Autogas: MOMAN Seeks Special Fund for Conversion of Vehicles
He said; “The autogas scheme shall be self-financing and self-sustainable and converted vehicles can refill gas at any available gas refuelling station.
“Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Compressed Natural Gas and Liquefied Natural Gas autogas will retail at affordable cost and will be available and accessible.
“The scheme will generate over two million jobs per annum and reduce carbon emissions.”
Adding that the Federal Government would secure gas supply for the scheme from Joint Ventures/Products Sharing Contracts with the NNPC for processing of wet gas at designated gas fields.
[Also Read] Autogas: DPR Selects Petrol Stations For Gas Dispensing Upgrade
He said the Central Bank of Nigeria had created a N250 billion intervention fund to mitigate the funding constraints relating to financing conversion kit acquisition.
Derefaka said that 9,000 stations had been identified for co-location of autogas nationwide while 46 NNPC-owned stations would be co-located by the end of 2020.
[Also Read] NNPC Pledges Support for Auto-Gas Deployment Initiatives
Speaking further, he hinted that 50 conversion centres were currently upgrading for mass conversion and training, adding that over 30, 000 vehicles were already running on dual fuels in Nigeria.
He said that autogas was cheaper, safer and cleaner than the PMS (petrol), adding that the scheme had the potential of improving Nigeria’s economic growth and development.
By Peace Obi.
Be the first to know when we publish an update
