A compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion workshop commissioned under the presidential initiative on May 29, 2024, in Ilorin, Kwara State, by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq will commence full operation by the end of the month.

Speaking with management of Rolling Energy, the private outfit handling the conversion workshop in Ilorin, on Monday, it was gathered that the unavailability of some necessary kits as well as ongoing construction works at the conversion workshop, located in the Post Office area of the Ilorin metropolis, had delayed takeoff.

The head technician of the company, Ismail Abdulahi Olalekan, however, said that the outfit had converted 20 vehicles of the Kwara state government to be CNG-compliant, adding that the company is awaiting other kits like gas cylinders from Abuja to complete them.

He also said that the company could convert between three and four vehicles daily, adding that the benefits of CNG vehicles include affordability, environmental friendliness, being cheaper to refill, and duo working facilities.

Olalekan, who said that about 50 private vehicle owners in the state had registered for conversion of their vehicles, added that the patronage from the private sector, including commercial vehicles and tricycle operators, was stalled because of the unavailability of the kits.

“Since the governor came to inaugurate this place on Democracy Day in May, we have only been working on government vehicles to a very certain stage because of inadequate kits.

“Aside from the kits, you could observe ongoing construction works. Also, prices have not been fixed on the vehicles to convert. This would be determined by our Abuja main office.

“No fewer than 50 people (vehicle owners) have approached the company for vehicle conversion, but we are having problems with gas cylinders and other kits. We hope that all the challenges will be fixed by July 31.

“When fully CNG compliant, vehicles could be switched to either petrol or gas since a button to do this would be on the dashboard. It could be switched either way, even in motion.”.

Olalekan, who said that a kilogramme of gas for the vehicle is sold for N250 against the N670 per litre of petrol, added that the present story of the conversion workshop is not the same in Lagos and Abuja, where full operations and patronage are in earnest.