The Cross River State government is set to commence the conversion of commercial vehicles from fossil fuels to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) next week. This decision follows two weeks of preparatory processes aimed at addressing rising transportation costs caused by increasing fuel prices.
Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, the state’s Commissioner for Transport, emphasized that the government has partnered with commercial banks to offer credit facilities for vehicle owners who may struggle with the conversion costs. The process, which includes installing a four-capacity gas cylinder, will start at N800,000.
To maintain controlled transport prices, the government plans to regulate and monitor the converted vehicles, which will be clearly marked for identification. Gas refills, expected to be significantly cheaper than traditional fuels, will help reduce overall transportation costs.
In the first phase of the initiative, 500 conversion kits have been imported, and the state is establishing safety standards to oversee conversion centers. Additionally, 20 Cross River indigenes will be trained to carry out the vehicle conversions, with plans to expand this training to more individuals.
