{
  "id": 18553129,
  "title": "FG converts abandoned State House petrol station to CNG facility",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/fg-converts-abandoned-state-house-petrol-station-to-cng-facility",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T19:32:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/fg-converts-abandoned-state-house-petrol-station-to-cng-facility/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Federal Government transformed an abandoned petrol station at the State House in Abuja into a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refuelling facility on Friday. This move aims to reduce Nigeria's dependence on petrol and diesel, particularly after the removal of fuel subsidies in 2023, which caused economic challenges. The Permanent Secretary of the State House, Temitope Fashedemi, inaugurated the facility, noting that it was established without any cost to the State House through a partnership with the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles and Rollin Energy Limited, the private operator.\n\nFashedemi emphasized that the decision to convert the abandoned station demonstrated the viability of the CNG transition model and aimed to attract private investors to the sector. He stated that businesses should recognize the opportunity to partner with Pi-CNG for establishing similar facilities. The State House has already integrated CNG technology into its vehicle fleet, including 10 recently acquired JAC hybrid vehicles and shuttle buses serving the Presidential Villa.\n\nRollin Energy CEO, Mubarak Danbatta, highlighted that the new facility in Karu, Abuja, could refuel approximately 150 vehicles daily, including motorcycles. The double-nozzle dispensers enable simultaneous refuelling from both sides of a vehicle. Danbatta mentioned that Rollin Energy currently operates facilities in Ilorin, Abuja, and has two more stations in Kano expected to open soon, with more planned for Kaduna. The company aims to have nearly 15 CNG facilities nationwide by the end of 2026.\n\nPi-CNG Chairman, Ismael Ahmed, reported that Nigeria currently has 106 operational CNG stations, with 170 more under development or awaiting approval. President Tinubu directed the establishment of 1,500 additional stations in February and another 500 in August, with all new stations expected to be operational by early 2027, totaling a target of 2,000 new stations nationwide. Ahmed noted that CNG-powered buses have reduced transportation costs by 30 to 40 per cent on routes such as Abuja, Lagos, and the Kano-Katsina corridor, making bus fares as low as N1,500 for trips that previously cost between N3,000 and N4,000.\n\nSenior Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Affairs, Toyin Subair, stated that the Federal Government and state governments are increasing investments in CNG-powered buses, trucks, and tricycles to ensure lower fuel costs translate into reduced transportation expenses for Nigerians. The National Economic Council has committed to a joint financing arrangement with the Federal Government to support affordable transportation across states, targeting a 40 per cent or more reduction in fares, especially on interstate routes and for transporting agricultural produce. Over 30,000 additional vehicle conversion kits are expected to enter the Nigerian market next week, further expanding conversion capacity ahead of the Christmas travel season.",
  "summary": "The Federal Government on Friday converted an abandoned petrol filling station at the State House, Abuja, into a Compressed Natural Gas refuelling facility. Read More: https://punchng.com/fg-converts-abandoned-state-house-petrol-station-to-cng-facility/",
  "key_points": [
    "Federal Government converted abandoned State House petrol station into CNG facility",
    "Facility inaugurated by Temitope Fashedemi, no cost to State House",
    "Rollin Energy CEO Mubarak Danbatta reported 150 vehicles refuelled daily"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}