Ile — Ife, Nigeria — Authorities have switched on a compressed-natural-gas station inside Obafemi Awolowo University, the first campus-based outlet in a federal drive that earmarks 575 billion U. S. Dollars for gas-powered transport, according to local reports.
Official statements indicate the refuelling point will let staff and students convert vehicles to burn Nigerian gas instead of petrol, trimming running costs and tail — pipe fumes. Engineers on site confirmed the dispenser is already serving a small fleet of shuttle buses that move passengers around the 13 000-hectare campus.
The government stated in a communiqué that the installation opens phase one of a wider programme to build 1 000 gas stations nationwide and to phase in CNG buses, tricycles and boats.
Regional officials confirmed that private firms, mostly energy service contractors, will supply the pledged funds over an unspecified period while the state contributes land and regulatory fast — tracks. No completion deadline for the full network was given.
Independent observers say the push could ease chronic petrol shortages linked to subsidy removals last year, although uptake will depend on price spreads and conversion fees.
Environmental groups welcomed the shift from diesel to gas yet cautioned that methane leakage could offset advertised carbon savings. They urged regulators to publish baseline emissions data; so far such figures have not been released.
Further details are expected when the transport ministry visits Ile — Ife later this week to inspect the station and sign additional partnership agreements.
Source: Africa.
