The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) to drive the implementation of the CNG policy in the Niger Delta region.
The agreement was signed at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt by the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, and the PCNGI Programme Director, Michael Oluwagbemi. The MoU marks a significant step in supporting Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy and creating economic opportunities in the Niger Delta.
Dr. Ogbuku emphasized the importance of the CNG initiative, which aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal. He explained that the initiative would foster job creation and transfer of local technology, particularly benefiting youths and women by supporting auto manufacturing, retrofitting, and the development of key infrastructure in gas distribution and processing.
During the launch of a CNG conversion and training center in the Rumuokwuta community in Port Harcourt, Dr. Ogbuku stressed the NDDC’s commitment to the CNG initiative, viewing it as a directive from the President. He highlighted the aim of making the Niger Delta a hub for CNG technicians across the country.
“We believe that the more we train our youths in energy conversion, the more we empower them with skills that will create jobs, independence, and sustainable income. This is why we are focused on establishing training centers nationwide,” Ogbuku said.
The NDDC is also working to expand the training of youths on CNG conversion to take advantage of the country’s energy transition.
PCNGI’s Programme Director, Michael Oluwagbemi, emphasized the benefits of embracing CNG, particularly in terms of driving investment in Nigeria’s abundant gas resources. He noted that CNG would help reduce transportation costs by providing a cheaper, underutilized energy alternative.
Oluwagbemi also stressed the importance of collaboration with various stakeholders to train technicians and build local capabilities in CNG conversion. His vision includes training 10,000 professionals by 2027, starting with 2,500 individuals by the end of 2024.
The event was also attended by the Traditional Ruler of Rumuokwuta, Eze Michael Chinda, who expressed gratitude for the development brought to his community through the CNG training center. He appealed to the NDDC for further support in completing the community’s civic center and acknowledged the provision of solar street lights in the area.
