A new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion workshop in Ilorin, Kwara State commissioned as part of a presidential initiative on May 29, 2024, by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, is slated to commence full operations by the end of this month.
The workshop, managed by Rolling Energy, has faced delays due to the unavailability of necessary kits and ongoing construction work at its location in the Post Office area of Ilorin.
In a conversation with the management of Rolling Energy, the head technician, Ismail Abdulahi Olalekan, revealed that the workshop has already converted 20 government vehicles in Kwara State to be CNG-compliant.
However, these vehicles are not yet fully operational as they await the arrival of additional kits, such as gas cylinders, from Abuja.
Olalekan mentioned that once fully operational, the workshop could convert between three and four vehicles daily.
He highlighted the numerous benefits of CNG vehicles, which include affordability, environmental friendliness, lower refueling costs, and dual-fuel capability.
This means that CNG vehicles can switch between petrol and gas using a button on the dashboard, even while in motion.
The head technician also noted that approximately 50 private vehicle owners in Kwara State have registered for the conversion of their vehicles.
However, the actual conversion process for these private and commercial vehicles, including tricycles, has been delayed due to the lack of necessary kits.
“Since the governor inaugurated this workshop on Democracy Day in May, we have primarily focused on converting government vehicles to a certain stage because of inadequate kits,” Olalekan explained.
“Apart from the kits, ongoing construction work is also a factor. Additionally, we have yet to fix the prices for vehicle conversions, which will be determined by our main office in Abuja.”
Despite these challenges, Olalekan expressed optimism that all issues would be resolved by July 31, allowing the workshop to begin full operations.
He pointed out that a kilogram of CNG costs N250, compared to N670 per liter of petrol, making CNG a more economical option for vehicle owners.
He also mentioned that the situation in Ilorin contrasts with that in Lagos and Abuja, where CNG conversion workshops are already fully operational and experiencing high patronage.
