NEWS

Group seeks partnership with Enugu Govt on poverty alleviation thru’ CNG

Maureen Ikpeama5 months ago5 months ago202310 mins

In line with the social contract Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah’ has signed with the people of the state to alleviate poverty and make life meaningful to the people, a private company, Data Analytics and Solutions has proposed a program on poverty alleviation, seeking partnership with the Enugu state Government

Pix- Stakeholders with SPA Nnaji

Managing Director of the firm, Brian Amonu, who disclosed that after a meeting with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy and Mineral resources, Dr. Kingsley Nnaji and the representatives of tricycle drivers Association, Enugu state, chapter, on Monday in Enugu ,said, they presented a proposal on the Sustainable Energy Access Projects (SEAP) to address the significant challenges arising from the removal of fuel subsidy and to promote sustainable energy solutions in Enugu state and Nigeria.

According to him, ” the commendable action taken by the Federal Government to remove fuel subsidy has resulted in untold hardship for Nigerians, and it has substantially increased the budgetary allocation of fuel for State Governments”

Pix- Amonu(L) Nnaji(R)

Amonu noted that the removal of fuel subsidy has not only affected the transportation sector but also the prices of basic goods, food, services, and fueling costs for generators used by thousands of SMEs— the largest employers of labour in the state as well as those used in homes.

He said, in collaboration with key stakeholders including the African Development Bank and the Infrastructure Bank Plc, Data Analytics and Solutions has developed the Sustainable Energy Access Program (SEAP) initiative, designed to address several critical objectives.

Amonu noted that SEAP’s primary goal is to introduce Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a more cost-effective alternative to traditional petrol and diesel fuels. This initiative he explained, hinges on a strategic partnership with the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), which has an extensive network of over 30,000 stations across the country.

He added that the partnership will enable them to establish the broadest CNG station network possible, facilitating a comprehensive and impactful CNG deployment.

Pix : The CNG project delegation

“SEAP’s target is to achieve a competitive CNG retail price ranging from N180 to N230 per liter, equivalent to petrol across participating IPMAN stations in the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria, including the 17 Local Government Areas in Enugu state, ” Amonu said

On electricity generation, he said, “in collaboration with the NNPC Gas and Power Investment Services, SEAP aims to provide a minimum of 300 megawatts of stable and captive electricity to each of the 16 participating states. This integrated power (Gas, Generation, Transmission and Distribution) initiative targets a diverse range of consumers, including existing power consumers, industrial parks, agro-processing zones, and mining sites.

” By fostering dependable electricity generation, SEAP seeks to enhance economic growth and development across Enugu and Nigeria”, Amodu said.

The Managing Director , while speaking on vehicular use of CNG, said his organisation wants to contribute it’s quota in helping the people. He said natural gas is cheaper than petrol. It is cleaner than petrol. It reduces the cost of transportation, enhances the operations of the security agencies, as they will have adequate energy to move about their duties, it does not affect the engine or fuel tank, it’s transferable, one can use it in another vehicle .

Pix- Group picture of stakeholders with SPA Nnaji, sitting( 3rd L)

He explained that in consideration of the suffering in getting the money for conversion they have negotiated with a bank which will give loan to interested Vehicle owners for conversion of their vehicles from fuel to CNG.

According to him, interested persons or companies will deposit 20% of the cost of conversion and the balance will be paid anytime they purchased gas, noting that they will be buying with a card system that will have their details and on completion of payment, an indicator will give the notice that payment has been completed and deductions for payment of conversion will stop. Amonu said the card system will also help to know the volume of gas purchased and the payment system. “The càrd system works like a debit card”, he said .

A member of delegation, Hygenius Asogwa, said the project is a federal Government project. He disclosed that the Nigerian Institute of Technology was mandated to ensure every vehicle in Nigeria is converted He added that some of their staff who went to Poland for training had come back and will be sent out to various zones ,including the south east zone to train technicians on Conversion of vehicles from Petrol to CNG. They will in turn train otherd.

Asogwa added that there will be job creation. . It will also reduce transportation fare, and create job opportunities for thosadands of Youths. He added that CNG does not burn fast and it does not explode, rather it evaporates.

Chairman of Amalgamated Tricycle Owners in Enugu state, ,Comrade Kingsley Edeh, lauded the conversion program. He said, “concerning the Compressed Natural Gas we are impressed. We pass through a lot. The cost of tricycle, the price of High purchase, fuel also has become a very big burden to our members. With this natural gas ,I think we are going toachieve a lot. We are praying that this very project should not be a stoppable project. We are appealing to the Government to give all necessary support to achieve this very project. It is a good project, ” Edeh said.

Pix- Tricycle owners

Explaining further, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy and Mineral Resources, Dr. Kingsley Nnaji said , Data Analytics and Solutions came with a proposal for energy provision, a program that addresses poverty alleviation, one key aspect of His Excellency’s social contract to Ndi Enugu. The company is seeking partnership with the Enugu state Government.

“Government is concerned with everything that can reduce poverty in the state The solution Data Analytics and Solutions is bringing will reduce poverty.”, Nnaji said.

Author -Maureen Ikpeama