Federal Government Initiates CNG Conversion for Customs Vehicles
The CNG vehicles -ARDNig
The Federal Government has tasked Cedric Masters Group, an automotive company, to convert 200 Nigerian Customs Service vehicles to operate on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) within 90 days (about 3 months).
Promoting Complete Knock Down Manufacturing
Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Oluwemimo Osanipin, is advocating for a shift from Semi Knocked Down (SKD) to Completely Knocked Down (CKD) vehicle assembly. This transition aims to boost local manufacturing and assembling of vehicle parts. Osanipin recently toured 12 automotive assembly plants in Lagos, encouraging local assemblers to adopt CKD practices. Cedric Masters CEO, Anselm Ilekuba, praised the government’s initiative, highlighting the benefits of CNG. “CNG is the new normal. We’re fortunate to be at the forefront of this development,” he said. Ilekuba emphasized the company’s investment in expanding the CNG distribution network and training local employees in CNG technology, having received training in Texas.
Investments and Future Plans
Ilekuba revealed plans for further investment, including acquiring land for CNG piping from Chevron, which will provide cheaper energy for electricity generation. He assured that the company would meet the 90-day conversion deadline for the customs vehicles and is on track to roll out locally assembled cars within the 18-month timeframe set by the NADDC.Osanipin expressed satisfaction with the progress and plans of local assemblers to transition to CKD, which is expected to boost employment and the economy. “Moving from SKD to CKD will increase our local content, generate more employment, and positively impact the economy,” he stated.
Moving from SKD to CKD will increase our local content, generate more employment, and positively impact the economy,” said NADDC Director General Oluwemimo Osanipin. “The pace at which we are moving shows that we will achieve our goals sooner than expected.”
The conclusion of the article highlights the positive outlook for Nigeria’s automotive sector as it transitions to Completely Knocked Down (CKD) manufacturing and adopts Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) technology. The government’s initiatives, supported by the efforts of Cedric Masters Group and other local assemblers, are expected to boost local content, create jobs, and enhance the economy. With training and infrastructure investments in place, there is optimism that the sector will achieve its goals ahead of schedule, benefiting the entire country.
