Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Federal Government has commissioned the NASENI–Portland Autogas Facility in Kubwa, Federal Capital Territory, describing it as a major step in Nigeria’s drive to expand investment in gas-powered transportation and clean energy solutions.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs. Olu Arowolo Verheijen, said the project reflects the Tinubu administration’s determination to unlock Nigeria’s vast gas reserves to power mass transportation, manufacturing, electrification, and clean cooking.
The facility, which features a vehicle conversion plant, CNG filling station, training academy, and CNG generator showroom, was developed in alignment with the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, PCNGi, launched in September 2023.
The government said the rollout of landmark fiscal policies six months later, including a competitive framework for non-associated gas and targeted midstream and downstream incentives, has been instrumental in spurring such investments.
“Today’s commissioning of this facility marks another important milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward achieving our energy transition goals,” Verheijen said.
“The partnership between NASENI and Portland is a clear example of how the private sector plays a vital role in driving our nation’s economic growth and development. As a government, our role is to act as a catalyst, unlocking private sector expertise and capital to deliver meaningful results for the Nigerian people.”
“The progress we see today has been made possible by these policies, incentives, and financing support of the Tinubu administration, fully aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Decade of Gas vision,” she stated.
Verheijen stressed that gas will remain central to Nigeria’s industrialization strategy, adding: “We are tackling the challenges of gas supply head-on; leveraging technology, law enforcement, fiscal incentives, infrastructure investment, and community partnerships to ensure a steady flow of gas to transform the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerians into truly better lives.”
Commending NASENI’s role, she said the agency’s Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Khalil Halilu, has demonstrated strong leadership in supporting the administration’s multi-sectoral initiatives.
“Your example sets the pace for other government institutions as we work together to deliver on President Tinubu’s transformational promises,” she noted.
Reiterating the presidency’s readiness to support investors, Verheijen declared: “This is how prosperity is built; one valve, one pipeline, one molecule of gas at a time. Nigeria’s future is bright, and this new autogas facility stands as proof of the opportunities ahead. We have no choice, we must seize them fully.”
