By Usman Usman Garba
The Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, alongside the representative of the Vice President, Senator Hassan Hadejia, and the Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), Barrister Ismaeel Ahmad, has officially launched the programme’s activities across the Northern region.
The delegation also commissioned the Asad CNG and Greenville LNG stations located along the Kano-Zaria Road.
Speaking during the launch of the Kano and Northern Region CNG/EV Activation held at the Kano Indoor Sports Hall on Thursday, Governor Yusuf stated that the initiative would create vast opportunities in refuelling infrastructure, conversion centres, technical services, assembly plants, logistics, and manufacturing.
In a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, Governor Yusuf emphasised that the project would generate jobs for the state’s teeming youths, many of whom have already been trained in vehicle conversion and technical maintenance.
The Governor assured investors that the state government is ready to continue working with the Federal Government, the Pi-CNG & EV Initiative, and genuine private investors willing to partner in developing the sector.
He added that: “Our administration will continue to provide the enabling environment necessary for businesses to thrive because we believe economic growth and job creation must remain at the centre of governance.”
Governor Yusuf also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for introducing the initiative, noting that it would significantly ease the transportation challenges faced by citizens.
In his remarks, Senator Hassan Hadejia, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President, stated that the activation of CNG in Northern Nigeria would maximise utilisation, considering that the region possesses the largest fleet of transportation vehicles in West Africa.
He commended Governor Yusuf for his commitment and for providing an enabling environment even before the official commencement of the project.
On his part, Barrister Ismaeel Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer of the Pi-CNG & EV Initiative, disclosed that President Tinubu, while acknowledging the hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy, wishes to be remembered for providing alternative energy sources that are significantly cheaper than Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
He further announced that CNG stations would be established across all senatorial districts in Kano State to ensure widespread accessibility.
In their separate remarks, Alhaji Aminu Suraj, who represented the Jigawa State Governor, and Professor Muhammad Al-Amin, representing the Katsina State Governor, appealed for the swift implementation of CNG initiatives in their respective states to reduce transportation costs and stimulate rapid economic development.
