NADDC warns motorists against illegal CNG conversion centres

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has warned motorists to desist from patronising roadside compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion centres.

The Director-General, NADDC, Mr Oluwemimo Osanipin, gave the warning at the ninth Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) annual training/workshop held on Thursday in Lagos.

The training/workshop had the theme: ‘CNG/LPG/EV Initiative: Challenges, Sustainability, Opportunities, and Alternative to Fossil Fuels in Nigeria.’

Osanipin was represented at the event by Mr. Ikechukwu Okoha, Assistant Director, Press and Protocol, NADDC.

He said the council would ensure that theworkshop had the standard equipment and certified personnel before accreditation of any centre.

He said that the accreditation was important to NADDC because they were concerned with the technical aspect of the conversion to ensure safety.

He added that the council was working with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to ensure safety for CNG conversion of vehicles.

“The role of the FRSC is to ensure that converted vehicles that do not have the conversion certificate are stopped from plying the road,” he said.

Osanipin said the council had engaged world-class original equipment manufacturers to achieve deep penetration of gas-powered vehicles in Nigeria and to ensure the best conversation solutions.

He listed other activities carried out by the NADDC to include training of local manpower and local manufacturing of conversion kits, creation of a CNG conversion portal for the registration, accreditation, and licencing of CNG conversion workshops across Nigeria.

“NADDC coordinated the training on conversion of petrol vehicles to CNG-powered vehicles conducted by Lanre Shittu Motors, of which 45 technicians drawn from across the LGAs in Ekiti State participated in the training.

“Coordinated the processes of accrediting and licencing of CNG conversion workshops across the country. About 30 workshops have been licenced for CNG conversion,” he said.

He noted that to ensure skills development and international best practices in the automotive sector of the country, the Automotive Training Centres (ATCs) were established across the six geopolitical zones.

“This is aimed at redefining the nation’s auto industry, job provision, improving skills among technicians, and ensuring prompt and efficient repair and maintenance of vehicles while ensuring the safety of the mechanics, the vehicles, and the environment," he said.

Also speaking, Mr. Michael Oluwagbemi, Programme Director/Chief Executive, Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG), assured that the Federal Government had taken steps to ensure safety in the conversion and usage of CNG vehicles.

Represented by Mr. Olayinka Rufai, he said that the Pi-CNG was working closely with SON and the NADDC on CNG safety.

He added that SON had stipulated a number of standards that must be met to uphold safety.

He said the target was to convert one million vehicles by 2027, with e-hailing vehicles enjoying about a 50 percent conversion cost reduction.

Also, Dr. Benedict Okoh, the Chief Executive Officer, Universal Automotive Training Academy, called on the government to introduce incentives such as tax credits or low-interest loans for easy CNG conversion.

“Government is urged on infrastructure development to expand CNG fuelling station networks and also educate vehicle owners and technicians about CNG benefits and conversion processes,” he said.

Okoh, represented by Mr. John Quincy, the Chief Technical Officer, said that the conversion of existing petrol and diesel vehicles to CNG offers a practical solution to reduce emissions, operating costs, and dependence on fossil fuels.

Earlier, Mr. Mike Ochonma, Chairman, NAJA, said the workshop was aimed at equipping and updating journalists with the necessary tools and writing skills in pursuit of vital information disseminated to the public.

Supreme News reports that auto companies present at the workshop include CFAO Mobility, Milano Motors, Carloha Motors, Jet Systems, and Fixit45.