The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), on Friday, revealed that it has facilitated over $800 million in private and public investments in addition to creating more than 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in Nigeria since it was launched.
The Michael Oluwagbemi-led agency said it has also significantly accelerated the adoption of cleaner and cheaper energy alternatives to petrol with over 100,000 CNG vehicles currently operational across Nigeria, representing a fivefold increase in just one year.
Brand and Corporate Communications Manager at PCNGI, Matilda Johnson, made the disclosures in a statement issued on Friday in response to an online report, which the agency described as unprofessional and misleading.
“Since its launch, the PCNGI has facilitated over $800 million in private and public investments, created more than 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, and significantly accelerated the adoption of cleaner, cheaper energy alternatives. Today, over 100,000 CNG vehicles are operational across Nigeria — a fivefold increase in just one year,” Johnson said.
She said the recent landmark deployment by Dangote Group, featuring 4,000 CNG-powered trucks, 100 virtual pipeline vehicles, and multiple daughter stations was just one high-profile testament to the initiative’s impact.
Additionally, she said the agency’s partnership with local micro. small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) has led to the rise of over 300 conversion centres, from just seven at inception, with an average of 20 new centres opening weekly.
She, however, claimed that the online publication has chosen to ignore those tangible outcomes, instead engaging in speculative reporting backed by unnamed sources and apparent personal agendas.
“Its most recent article falsely claims that PCNGI pulled the list of approved conversion centres from our website to conceal information. In truth, the website is undergoing scheduled updates to reflect a larger, more inclusive list of newly approved conversion centres, in line with our transparency standards.
“The publication also irresponsibly misrepresents the role and identity of one Mr. David Idakwo, portraying him as a senior decision-maker at PCNGI. This is patently false. Mr. Idakwo, a mid-level field officer employed in late 2024, holds no executive role within the organisation and is not involved in strategic decision-making. Efforts to link his past private enterprise affiliations to allegations of nepotism are not only misleading but an affront to the right of every Nigerian to legitimate business pursuits,” Johnson stated.
At PCNGI, she said they remain unwavering in their commitment to transparency, public accountability, and national development.
According to her, PCNGI’s ongoing efforts to ensure proper distribution of government-subsidised kits and enforce compliance have inevitably unsettled those seeking to benefit from corruption or sabotage.
While expressing deep concern over the said report, Johnson said the article in question represented a regrettable deviation from the principles of ethical journalism, relying on conjecture, factual misrepresentation, and unfounded innuendos to attack a nationally impactful programme.
She urged the publication to return to the core ethics of journalism in fairness, objectivity, and factual accuracy.
“Constructive criticism is welcome, but deliberate distortion in the service of sensationalism or hidden agendas only undermines national progress. Nigeria deserves journalism that builds, not journalism that destroys,” Johnson added.
Peter Uzoho
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