The Delta State Government has taken a big step toward making transportation cheaper and more environmentally friendly by signing an important agreement with NIPCO, a company that provides Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). The Commissioner of Transport, Hon. Onoriode Agofure, shared this news when speaking with journalists in his office in Asaba.
What is CNG and Why is it Important?
CNG is a type of fuel that is much cheaper than petrol and diesel. It is also better for the environment because it produces less pollution. Hon. Agofure explained that NIPCO is a well-known company that already has several CNG stations in states like Edo, Lagos, Ogun, and Abuja. Now, Delta State will also benefit from this clean and affordable energy source.
“This is a very important achievement for Delta State,” Hon. Agofure said. “It will bring many benefits to our people once the facilities are ready.”
Why is the First Station in Asaba?
Many people have asked why the first CNG station is being built in Asaba instead of other parts of Delta State. Hon. Agofure explained that this is just the beginning, and Asaba is being used as a “pilot scheme,” meaning a test project.
“We decided to start in Asaba because NIPCO does not have any stations here yet,” he said. “However, they already have stations in Warri, including one that is almost finished and another one that is already functioning.”
He assured that if the Asaba station works well, more CNG stations will be built in other cities like Kwale, Sapele, Ughelli, and Agbor.
Delta State Won’t Spend Money on This Project
Some people might wonder how much money the state government is spending on this project. Surprisingly, Hon. Agofure said that Delta State is not paying anything.
“Delta State is not bringing a dime,” he said. “Our only contribution is providing an existing fuel station for NIPCO to use. This is a great deal for the state.”
Will the Government Help People Convert Their Cars to CNG?
One concern people have is the cost of converting their vehicles to use CNG. The commissioner explained that the state government is working on getting help from the federal government to provide free conversion kits.
“It costs about $600 (around ₦1.1 million) to convert a vehicle, but we are trying to get free kits for Deltans,” he said. “I have already converted my own car, and I tested it by driving from Benin to Asaba. I spent only ₦5,000 on fuel, which would have cost me about ₦20,000 with petrol.”
He also mentioned that in states like Edo and Abuja, taxi drivers have already switched to CNG because it is much cheaper, with gas costing around ₦230 per litre compared to petrol, which is over ₦1,000 per litre.
Is CNG Safe?
Some people worry that using CNG might not be safe. Hon. Agofure assured that CNG is very safe if the conversion is done properly.
“In Edo State, people have been using CNG since 2009, and there has been only one report of an explosion, which happened because the person did not use an authorized conversion center,” he said. “The CNG cylinder is even bulletproof, so it is very safe.”
The government plans to launch a campaign to educate people about the safety of CNG and to provide some free conversion kits.
Why Do Motor Parks Charge Extra Money?
Some passengers have complained about being charged ₦100 or ₦200 at motor parks. Hon. Agofure explained that this is not a transportation insurance fee but a data management system.
“We need to collect data on people traveling in and out of Delta State for security reasons,” he said. “But the fee should not be more than ₦50, so I will investigate any overcharging.”
New Rules on Vehicle Pollution
The government is also working on reducing pollution from vehicles that release too much smoke. Trucks and vehicles that emit thick black or white smoke will now face fines unless they fix their engines.
“If we want to develop like advanced countries, we must reduce pollution,” Hon. Agofure said. “Some tricycles (keke) are even overloaded with goods meant for trucks. We must stop such practices for safety and environmental reasons.”
The partnership between Delta State and NIPCO is a big step toward cleaner, cheaper transportation. With CNG stations coming to Delta, people will be able to save money on fuel while reducing pollution. The government is also working on getting free conversion kits and ensuring that people understand the benefits and safety of using CNG. If the pilot project in Asaba is successful, more CNG stations will be built across the state.
