Echezona Okafor 
- Presidential commendation for Innoson
History
History will be made in eight months’ time when the first ever Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) plant in Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State by Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), will be commissioned.
This was revealed by the Chairman of IVM, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, during a recent facility tour of the company by the Minister for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Speaking after the tour of the plant, Ekpo lauded the chairman and management of IVM for daring to go on this historical path, which he said would be a huge leap for the nation’s economy as the country searches for a viable alternative to PMS.
He said Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing cueing into the Federal Government’s agenda is commendable, as he disclosed the benefits of the project to the country, which include the low operating cost, elimination of noise, low maintenance cost, and non-contamination of motor oil.
Ekpo, while expressing confidence in the capacity of the plant to deliver on the project in record time, pledged to relate his experience and the promise that he has exerted from the chairman of the plant and his team with the President and the Presidential Committee on CNG implementation.
“Mr. President, during our last execution council meeting, spoke passionately about the use of CNG and CNG vehicles in the country, and he has directed all ministries and agencies to take advantage of it all. And by the grace of God, we have an illustrious son of Nigeria, who is as passionate in developing CNG automobiles as the president himself,” he said.
Tinubu’s agenda
Chukwuma noted that the idea of constructing the plant is an effort to cue into President Bola Tinubu’s agenda and plans of shifting from the era of using petrol (PMS) for automobiles to the era of using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for that purpose.
He said: “The Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu has good plans. The President is making efforts to ensure that we come to an era when Compressed Natural Gas is used as an alternative fuel for cars in Nigeria.
“CNG is a natural gas under pressure that remains clear, odourless and non-corrosive. It can be used as an alternative to conventional petrol and diesel fuels. In using CNG, there is reduction in noise and air pollution compared to when petrol or diesel is used. CNG will also provide energy security.
Indispensable
Given the present economic situation of the country and problems associated with petroleum, the use of CNG has become indispensable. That is if the nation and its leadership ever want to redeem the nation and set it on the path of growth.
This verdict was given by Chukwuma when he stated that: “In Nigeria, the unpredictability of the petrol market often leads to scarcity of fuel, etc.
During these times, petrol is usually sold at a very high price, and this directly increases the cost of transport and of every other thing indirectly. This makes it more difficult for Nigerians to cope.
This is why the use of CNG automobiles is indispensable. “A CNG vehicle will require lower routine maintenance in comparison to conventional fuel automobiles.
CNG vehicles have more efficient engines, longer-lasting spark plugs, and reduced routine oil change. Being a gas, CNG just disappears into the air when there is a leakage, therefore reducing the possibility of causing a fire outbreak.”
Commendations
Recently, some delegates and representatives from the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning from different states of the federation also paid a courtesy/site visit to the IVM plant located at Uru Umudim Nnewi in Anambra State.
Some of the delegates expressed their joy and fulfilment beholding such a gigantic plant in the state. Some of them said it was their first time visiting the Innoson plant. Dr. E. Lenou, an IFAS Country Representative from Florida, US, expressed her utmost satisfaction, saying that this type of development should be commended by the ministry and patronage should be paramount.
Another delegate, HRH Olanrewaju Ajayi (Oba of Gbomma, Ekiti State), thanked Chukwuma for his determination and commitment to making this great achievement and also appealed to Nigerians to patronise the vehicles. Beelo Magawale and Peter Ojo Stephen, delegates from Kebbi and Kogi states respectively, said that this great development is commendable; advising both the federal and state governments to purchase these vehicles for their officials and workers even as their own personal cars.
The Chairman of Agbo-Edo Motor Spare Part Dealers, Dennis Ikewguonu, highlighted some of the benefits of CNG vehicles, including their low operating cost, elimination of noise, low maintenance cost, and non-contamination of motor oil. He promised to share his experience with the other business moguls in the market and beyond.
He also called on the Presidential Committee on CNG Implementation for support and patronage. While the Chairman, Importer Association, Nnewi, Mr Austin Jideofor, said with the citing of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) plant in Nnewi, it is a new dawn and era for the motor spare parts dealers in Anambra State and even beyond.
Noting that they should all look out for change of business, just as he also requested that the Federal Government should support and encourage Chukwuma to offer his best to the nation. Jude Osumuoh, former President of Nnewi Chamber Of Commerce, expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s administration in ensuring that this initiative is sustained.
Production capacity
While acknowledging his support for the company’s mission to produce durable and eco-friendly vehicles, Chukwuma disclosed that the new CNG Plant can produce over 30,000 buses per annum. When asked of the challenges facing the plant, he pointed out that there are challenges but if there is steady patronage of the vehicles that many of the challenges will be eliminated.
Chukwuma is quite optimistic and determined in seeing that the vision for the CNG vehicles comes to fruition, disclosing that in eight months from now the plant will be officially commissioned by President Tinubu.
This is as he declared: “We in IVM Company are committed to supporting the President in ensuring that this lofty idea is carried out. This plant is where we will be constructing vehicles that use CNG.
This is a transition in motion; and we hope to complete the plant soon; and in the next eight months, we will call Mr. President to commission it.”
CNG vehicles
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles operate much like gasoline-powered vehicles with spark-ignited internal combustion engines.
The engine functions the same way as a gasoline engine. Natural gas is stored in a fuel tank, or cylinder, typically at the back of the vehicle.
Natural gas powers more than 175,000 vehicles in the United States and roughly 23 million vehicles worldwide. Natural gas vehicles (NGVs) are good choices for high mileage, centrally fuelled fleets because they can provide similar fuel range support for applications that stay within a region supported by reliable CNG fuelling.
For vehicles that travel long distances, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) offers a greater energy density than CNG, meaning the fuel range is more comparable to conventional fuel. The advantages of natural gas as a transportation fuel include its domestic availability, widespread distribution infrastructure, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions over conventional gasoline and diesel fuels.
The horsepower, acceleration, and cruise speed of NGVs are comparable with those of equivalent, conventionally fuelled vehicles. Also, compared with conventional diesel and gasoline vehicles, NGVs offer other air quality benefits beyond greenhouse gas emissions.
Medium- and heavy-duty NGVs are available from original equipment manufacturers, as well as through qualified system retrofitters. Qualified system retrofitters can also economically, safely, and reliably convert many vehicles for natural gas operation with aftermarket conversion systems. CNG and LNG are considered alternative fuels under the Energy Policy Act of 1992.
Types of NGVs
There are three types of NGVs: Dedicated: These vehicles are designed to run only on natural gas. Alternative Fuels Data Centre: Natural Gas Bi-fuel: These vehicles have two separate fuelling systems that enable them to run on either natural gas or gasoline. Dual-fuel: These vehicles have fuel systems that run on natural gas but use diesel fuel for ignition
assistance.
This configuration is traditionally limited to heavy-duty vehicles. CNG vehicles store natural gas in tanks where it remains in a gaseous state under pressure. More fuel can be stored onboard a vehicle using LNG because the fuel is stored as a liquid, making its energy density greater than that of CNG.
This makes LNG well suited for Class 7 and 8 trucks requiring a greater range. Often, the fuel choice is determined by factors such as vehicle application needs (e.g., power requirements) and the required driving range. The driving range of NGVs is generally less than that of comparable diesel or gasoline vehicles due to the lower energy density of natural gas. Extra storage tanks can increase range, but the additional weight may displace cargo capacity.
