Benue to harness CNG for cheaper energy, economic growth

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has expressed his administration’s determination to harness the opportunities presented by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to reduce the burden of rising energy costs on households, businesses and the state’s economy.

Governor Alia stated this while declaring open a three-day awareness workshop on the Presidential CNG Initiative, themed “The Game Changer,” at the Rev. Fr. Alia Ultra Modern Conference Hall, Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) headquarters, Makurdi.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Sam Ode, Governor Alia said the adoption of CNG by the Federal Government provides Nigerians with a cheaper, cleaner and more sustainable energy option capable of contributing significantly to agricultural production, processing, storage and transportation.

He said his administration remained committed to policies and programmes that stimulate economic activity, create employment, improve living standards and reduce the burden on citizens, noting that the initiative could also open new frontiers for economic development in Benue.

According to him, the CNG initiative forms part of a broader national programme aimed at providing affordable and cleaner energy, while the rising cost of transportation and its impact on the cost of living make the initiative particularly important to the state.

Governor Alia described the workshop as the beginning of a structured programme of awareness, capacity building, investment mobilisation and practical deployment of CNG across Benue.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to pursuing the partnerships, investments, infrastructure and capacity development required to make CNG accessible across the state, while appreciating the Federal Government, agencies and organisations supporting Nigeria’s transition to cleaner and affordable energy solutions.

The Commissioner for Power, Renewable Energy and Transport, Joseph Jir, said the project went beyond merely replacing petrol with gas, describing CNG as an alternative energy source that could provide a cleaner and potentially more affordable option for residents.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Benue State Steering Committee on Coalbed Methane and Allied Resources, Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella, said the CNG project presented opportunities for cheaper energy, while the workshop would educate residents on the benefits and safety of CNG.

The State Coordinator of the project and Technical Adviser to the Governor on National Gas and Renewable Energy, Engineer Jonathan Ashir, who unveiled the project, said it was designed to reduce the high cost associated with the use of petrol and gas in business activities.