By RAJI RASAK

Dr Ekperikpe Ekpo, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), says the expansion of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure will help reduce transportation costs and improve access to cleaner and more affordable energy.

Ekpo said this at the unveiling of five CNG daughter and last-mile retail stations developed by IBILE Oil and Gas Corporation (IOGC), with support from the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), on Wednesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stations are located at Idimu, Ogolonto, Abule-Egba, Ajah and Oko-Oba.

He said that each station had a compression capacity of 24,000 standard cubic metres per day and a storage capacity of 9,800 standard cubic metres.

According to him, the facilities are designed to bring CNG closer to motorists, commercial transport operators and businesses across the state.

Ekpo said that the projects align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to harness Nigeria’s gas resources to support industrial growth, improve transportation, create jobs and ease the economic burden on citizens.

He said that the President had directed the expansion of CNG infrastructure nationwide, including the development of an additional 500 refuelling stations towards a planned national network of 1,000 stations.

The minister said that the initiative would provide motorists and commercial transport operators with alternative fuel options while supporting Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy.

He stressed that the success of the programme should be measured by its impact on transportation costs, business operations and household expenditure rather than the number of stations commissioned.

“Our objective is therefore not simply to count the number of stations commissioned.

“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,” he said.

Ekpo commended the Lagos State Government and IOGC for supporting the Federal Government’s gas expansion programme.

He also praised MDGIF for facilitating investments in gas infrastructure, noting that collaboration among federal and state governments, investors and industry stakeholders was essential to achieving the country’s gas development objectives.

The minister described the commissioning as another step towards realising the Federal Government’s vision of a gas-powered economy.

He urged stakeholders to ensure effective operation and maintenance of the facilities to deliver the expected benefits to Nigerians.

Ekpo expressed optimism that the stations would improve access to CNG and support economic activities in Lagos and other parts of the country. (NAN)