The government of Lagos State, has declared its dedication to the Federal Government policy on Compressed Natural Gas initiative on Wednesday.
Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the Commissioner for Transportation, noted that the state was urging investment in gas-powered vehicles in line with the Federal Government’s policy direction.
Osiyemi spoke on Wednesday in Ikeja at the South-West Stakeholders Engagement meeting organised by the Presidential Initiative on CNG.
The Federal Executive Council, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, had on Monday directed all government ministries, departments and agencies to procure vehicles and generators powered by the CNG.
Osiyemi said Lagos State was in support of the initiative and the state was ready to roll out transport policies in line with the presidential directives and more.
He said, “Our transport policy would not only guide but would also encourage investment in the space of the CNG. We are also very much aware that to make this grow as rapidly as we want, we must encourage the private sector. We will bring comfort to investors.
“In Lagos, what have we done concerning the CNG? As our President said on Monday that every ministry should buy CNG vehicles, we have also started doing this. We already have electric vehicles. We also have about 10 CNG buses that we are going to put on the road. We have some that have been tested on our roads.”
He said Lagos would create the platform and environment not just to encourage the FG’s CNG initiative, but to also drive forward the state’s policies in line with the initiative.
“I must also use this opportunity to say that we also encourage CNG vessels on our waterways. Our boats that are coming – our investors are looking towards having CNG boats that will be deployed (on the waterways). So as a state, we have taken this seriously because it’s the way to go to ensure carbon emission reduction.”
His counterpart in Ogun, Gbenga Dairo, said the state had already commenced the use of the CNG-powered vehicles.
“Clearly, it’s been a well-thought-out policy by the Federal Government and it speaks to the climate change opportunities that the CNG gas brings,” he said. The commissioner noted that the initiative had helped the residents to cope with the effect of the fuel subsidy removal,” Dairo said.
Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, on her part, disclosed the initiative represented a beacon of hope for many Nigerians in the transport sector.
She said, “As we gather here, we are reminded of the need to propel our nation forward; we have to do what we have to do not just in terms of economic growth but in creating opportunities that uplift every citizen. The presidential CNG initiative stands as a testament to this great vision.”
