The Federal Executive Council has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to stop purchasing petrol-powered vehicles.
The council, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, directed the MDAs to henceforth purchase vehicles powered by either Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), solar or electricity.
The decision taken during the FEC meeting on Monday, was in line with the administration’s commitment to ensure energy security, drive utility and cut high fuel cost.
The meeting reiterated that there would be no turning back in the energy reforms initiated by the administration.
“The President’s directive is also in furtherance of Nigeria’s effort to transit to cleaner energy as CNG-enabled vehicles have been adjudged to produce lower emissions, even as they present a more affordable alternative for Nigerian energy consumers.
“This nation will not progress if we continue to dance on the same spot.
“We have the will to drive the implementation of CNG adoption across the country, and we must set the example as public officials in leading the way to that prosperous future that we are working to achieve for our people.
“It starts with us, and in seeing that we are serious, Nigerians will follow our lead,” a statement by Tinuhu’s spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said.
Affected by the order, according to sources, are new requests by Nigeria Customs Service and the Shipper’s Council, an agency of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, that sought approval to buy hundreds of operational vehicles.
The council approved the requests but said they must be CNG vehicles.
The Tinubu administration launched the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi) in October 2023, and plans to roll out 800 CNG buses, 4,000 CNG tricycles and 100 electric buses.
“Government believes its policy will unlock new investments in renewable energy, solar panels and lithium batteries.
“It also believes that the policy will be climate friendly and reduce inflation as it will slash costs by about 60 per cent.”
