Chairman and CEO of Motors Ltd, Innocent Chukwuma, manufacturers of all categories of motor vehicles in Nigeria has assured Nigerians that Compressed natural gas-powered vehicles, said to be cheaper to drive and maintain than petrol-powered ones, will soon flood the Nigerian vehicle market.
Chukwu’s promise came today, Thursday, August 8, after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso villa, Abuja.
Sould Chukwuma make good his promise to flood the market with CNG vehicles, it come as a fulfillment of President Bola Tinubu’s promise to use such vehicles as cheaper alternatives to petrol-powered vehicles whose owners are current with the challenge of high PMS owing to the removal of subsidy on petroleum products by the Tinubu Administration.
currently met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, emphasisng the need for patience and support for the administration. Chukwuma expressed confidence in Tinubu’s leadership, stating, “Let everybody calm down for him; they will see a better Nigeria from Tinubu.”
Speaking to State House Correspondents after the meeting, on the purpose of his visit, the Innoson Motors boss said: “At times like this, I decided to visit Mr President and encourage him. People must be patient, this Mr President, I know how he behaves, let everybody calm down for him, they will see a better Nigeria from Tinubu.”
He highlighted ongoing partnerships between the government and Innoson Motors, assuring that soon, the brand will be visible nationwide.
Asked what Nigerians are to expect from the partnership between the government and Innoson, he said: “Yes. Government is doing its best with Innoson Motors, the partnership is going on, in a short while everywhere you go you will see Innoson Motors.”
Chukwuma, who also discussed his company’s pioneering work in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles, which he initiated two years ago, expressed the belief that the government’s focus on CNG is a transformative initiative for Nigeria, promising that CNG buses will soon be on the roads.
Asked how he was keying into the CNG initiative, Chukwuma said: “I started CNG about two years ago, I was the first to start it in Nigeria. My visit here today is on CNG vehicle issues, I have discussed with them and in a short time, the masses will see CNG buses on the road.”
He added: “Government’s initiatives on CNG is the best idea for this country because there are a lot of benefits and it was those benefits I saw that led me to start the factory to produce vehicles on CNG. Because I had started producing CNG vehicles before the announcement. For those that have used CNG vehicles, they will agree it is the way forward for this nation.”
Chukwuma again urged citizens to remain patient, contrasting the current administration’s efforts to supply oil and gas with the previous government’s shortcomings.
He stressed the importance of preserving public infrastructure, asserting that the government is committed to improving the nation’s future.
He said: “Let everybody be patient because everybody knows that the former government sold oil, collected the money and didn’t supply but this government is just supplying but not getting the money. So let’s give him a chance, everything will be okay. The way I see him, he wants the best for this country, so I am encouraging everyone to be patient and not destroy public infrastructure. There’s no benefit in destroying our things, our benefit is to be calm and allow him to plan for the future of this country.”
The meeting aligns with President Tinubu’s directive for all government agencies to procure CNG-powered vehicles, marking a significant step toward sustainable energy in Nigeria.
Innoson Motors had in May announced its readiness to deliver bi-fuel engine cars when the government’s autogas program launches in October, reinforcing the company’s role in the country’s transition to cleaner energy solutions.
On 14th of May 2024, President Bola Tinubu ordered all government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, to procure only vehicles and generators powered by Compressed Natural Gas.
He had said he also expects them to begin converting all petrol or diesel-powered vehicles or generators to CNG.
