By Oke Peter

The Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) and IBILE Oil & Gas Corporation (IOGC) have commissioned five Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refuelling stations in Lagos State, bringing cleaner and more affordable fuel closer to motorists and commercial transport operators.


The stations, delivered under the MDGIF/IOGC joint venture, are located at Abule Egba and Idimu in Alimosho Local Government Area, Ajah in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Oko-Oba in Agege Local Government Area and Ogolonto in Ikorodu West Local Government Area.


Together, the five stations can hold 45,640 standard cubic metres of gas and are designed as last mile retail outlets serving consumers close to where they live and work. At full capacity, they can fill about 8,400 vehicles per day using natural gas produced in Nigeria.

Performing the commissioning, the Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Ph.D, said the projects reflect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's directive that Nigeria's gas resources must work for Nigerians.


"Success must ultimately be measured by impact: whether the infrastructure helps reduce operating costs for transporters and businesses, whether those savings reach commuters, and whether Nigerian families begin to feel tangible relief," the Minister said.


He described the project as the type of Federal, State and private sector collaboration that must be replicated across the country, in line with the President's directive for a national network of 1,000 CNG refuelling stations.


The Executive Director of MDGIF, Mr Oluwole Adama, said the stations show the Fund's mandate at work on the ground. For commercial drivers, he noted, they mean less time in queues and more time earning. For fleet owners, they mean fuel bills that are easier to plan for.


"At MDGIF, we want infrastructure that works every day, not infrastructure that looks impressive only on commissioning day," Adama said. He urged IOGC to maintain the highest standards of safety, service and operational discipline, and encouraged transport operators, fleet owners, businesses and public institutions to take full advantage of the facilities.


The Managing Director of IOGC, Mr Temitayo Gbajumo, said the corporation was mandated to deliver 15 CNG stations across Lagos State. 


"This project is about creating an ecosystem that delivers affordable energy to Nigerians, reduces transportation costs for businesses and households, and provides the infrastructure required to support the widespread adoption of CNG powered vehicles," Gbajumo said.


Beyond refuelling, the stations are expected to create jobs for young Nigerians in operations, safety, maintenance, logistics and technical services.