By Chris Agabi
As the energy cost spike following the removal of fuel subsidy, the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) Zaria is seeking private sector solutions to the adoption of autogas as alternative fuel for transportation in Nigeria”.
To activate the conversation, the NITT organised a one-day Stakeholders engagement forum on the Provision of Technical Manpower and Facility for the Development of Autogas as Transportation Fuel in Nigeria. The forum saw participants from stakeholders in the transportation industry and the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the regulator of PPP projects in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NITT, Dr. Bayero Salih Farah said the Institute’s decision to call for this forum is necessitated by the current transportation fuel crisis that resulted from the removal of fuel subsidy and the intention of the Institute to explore alternative energy sources for the transportation sector.
He said “with Nigeria’s natural gas reserve at 206.53 trillion cubic feet, the country needs the technical skills and facilicies to exploit this God given alternative for a more sustainable transportation sector. However, the availability of such technical skills and facilities for the utilisation of these natural resources as alternative transportation fuel is currently inadequate in the country.”
He said this fueled the NITT’s resolve to lead in the provision of such technical skill and facilities across the country.
“The provision of these facilities across the country requires a very huge investment, preferably from the Private Sector. It is in this spirit, that the Institute resorted to pioneer a Public-Private* he noted.
He further indicated that “Partnership (PPP) Project in the provision of adequate technical manpower and facilities across the country that will enable the adaptation of Autogas as alternative transportation fuel at the lowest cost possible. This one-day stakeholder forum is one step towards actualising the PPP arrangement as required by law.”
Also commenting, Mr..Joe Aniku Michael Ohiani, the Director-General of the ICRC.said the “NITT has been engaging with ICRC on this project, as Public Private Partnership (PPP), of which this stakeholder’s engagement is a requirement for the PPP process. We in ICRC support this initiative, it is a step in the nght direction towards the success of the project.”
He said: “Autogas as alternative to fuel for transportation is a welcome development.”
He said the outcome of the conversation will be “key in providing the way forward to ease transportation challenges, and also avail the public the opportunity to be better enlightened on the training required, oh how to use the conversion kit.”
He said the meeting is timely, especially with the current cost of fuel.
