PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA — An energy expert has called on the Rivers State Government to aggressively deploy Compressed Natural Gas as a viable alternative fuel source, arguing that it would create thousands of jobs, reduce transportation costs, and tackle the persistent air pollution that has plagued the state, particularly the black soot phenomenon.
Dr. Emmanuel Okon, an energy economist and lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, made the call during a workshop on alternative energy sources held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. He noted that Rivers State, as a major oil and gas-producing state, is uniquely positioned to lead Nigeria’s transition to CNG, given its abundant natural gas reserves and existing infrastructure.
“Rivers State has the resources, the infrastructure, and the strategic location to become the CNG capital of Nigeria. What is lacking is the political will to make it happen,” Okon stated. “The state government needs to move beyond rhetoric and invest in the infrastructure required to make CNG accessible and affordable for transporters and households.”
Okon highlighted the economic benefits of CNG adoption, including significant reductions in transportation costs. He noted that CNG is cheaper than petrol and diesel, and that converting vehicles to run on gas would lower the cost of moving goods and people across the state. “When transportation costs come down, the prices of goods and services will also come down. It will ease the burden on ordinary people,” he explained.
He also emphasized the environmental benefits, particularly in the fight against black soot, which has been linked to the burning of low-quality fuels and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta. He argued that promoting CNG as a cleaner alternative would reduce the emission of particulate matter and other pollutants that contribute to air pollution and respiratory diseases.
The expert called on the state government to partner with the private sector to establish CNG conversion centres, refuelling stations, and training facilities for technicians. He estimated that such investments could create over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs within two years. He also urged the government to provide incentives for transporters to convert their vehicles to CNG, including subsidised conversion kits and tax waivers.
“The transition to CNG is not just about energy; it is about economic transformation. It is about creating jobs for our young people, reducing the cost of living for our families, and protecting the health of our communities,” Okon said.
The workshop, attended by transport operators, environmentalists, and government officials, ended with a call for a comprehensive state policy on alternative energy. Participants urged the Rivers State Government to set up a task force to drive the CNG agenda and to collaborate with the Federal Government’s Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, which aims to promote gas-powered transportation nationwide. For now, the ball is in the government’s court, and stakeholders are waiting to see if Rivers State will seize the opportunity to become a leader in Nigeria’s energy transition.
