Inspection of commercial vehicles that will benefit from free Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion and installation has begun at Lagos centres.

The exercise is part of the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGi) approved by President Bola Tinubu for the provision of a cheaper and cleaner vehicle fueling alternative for Nigerians.

At the inspection on Saturday, Olayinka Rufai, PCNGi’s special project adviser, said the inspection went well, and the vehicles inspected were eligible for conversion.

According to Mr Rufai, the conversion incentive programme is supposed to take, in its first tranch, about 10,000 vehicles.

He added that 1,000 vehicles would be pushed out within days nationwide on a first-come-first-serve basis.

“Our very ambitious goal is to convert a million vehicles by 2027. We are setting out with about 20 conversion centres nationwide, and we hope to increase the number of conversion centres.

“There are requirements – technical, physical and digital that conversion centres need to meet, before they will be accredited.

“Standards, safety and quality are very important to us, and we have to ensure that wherever becomes an accredited conversion centre is a place that meets all the requirements,” he said.

Regarding the availability of CNG filling stations, he encouraged private investors to help install stations nationwide.

He said commercial vehicles were mostly targeted to impact people’s disposal incomes and help reduce amounts spent on transport.

Azeez Adekanmbi, head of the technical department of Mezovest Energy Trading Ltd., said that about 18 vehicles had been inspected.

According to Mr Adekanmbi, Mezovest, in conjunction with PCNGi, will convert 50 commercial vehicles belonging to an association such as the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers.

“On conversion, we have the contacts of persons whose vehicles are fit for conversion, and when we get the ‘go ahead’ from the organisers, we will commence conversion,” he said.

Adeshiji Abowaba, a technician at Mezovest Energy Trading Ltd., said that when installing the cylinder, there would be a need to ensure that the weight is evenly distributed to ensure balance.

According to Mr Abowaba, the gas tank is fire and bullet proof.

He added that the thickness of the tank was between 15mm and 20mm.

(NAN)