Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), Nigeria’s indigenous automobile company, has successfully manufactured a wide range of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses.

This development is seen as a viable alternative for Nigerians in light of the increasing prices of petrol and diesel.

The exhibition of these CNG vehicles took place at Innoson’s factory located in Nnewi, Anambra State. The vehicles showcased included trucks, mini-buses, ambulances, long buses, SUVs, and various other models.

At the unveiling event, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, the Chief Executive Officer of IVM, emphasized the safety of CNG vehicles and reassured Nigerians about the availability of a diverse range of car models.

Dr. Chukwuma explained that the manufacturing process at IVM is demand-driven, and the production of these buses was prompted by the current demand in the market. He also highlighted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, they ramped up production of ambulances, demonstrating their readiness to meet specific needs.

The introduction of CNG vehicles provides a solution to the overreliance on a limited number of vehicle types. By offering a variety of options, IVM aims to cater to different preferences and requirements of customers, thereby expanding the choices available in the automobile market.

“The CNG vehicles are a solution, that’s why we produce them. We made space for CNG, LNG, and Fuel so that anyone available in an area can be used to drive the vehicles. Electric cars, biogas, and solar-powered vehicles are also produced in this factory.”

In a similar vein, the Governor of Anambra State, represented by the Commissioner for Industry in Anambra state, Mr. Christian Udechukwu, affirmed the state’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by Nigerians due to the removal of subsidies. The governor’s representative emphasized that Anambra State is actively preparing to offer solutions to mitigate the effects of subsidy removal on the people.

In his words, “We are aware that Innoson has renewable technologies, CNG, LNG and Solar powered technologies that can contribute to the mass transport system in Nigeria and other national solutions”.

“The withdrawal of the subsidy has created a shock and the price of fuel has increased by almost 200% leading to restiveness in the Nigerian Labour Congress, the trade unions, and other Nigerians. The cost of transportation has risen apparently and one of the ways the government can alleviate that is by introducing mass transit systems that run on alternative energies as well as fuel. The more you have the ones that run on gas and solar, the greater the chances of a stable fuel price due to the existence of choices and Innoson offers that”.

He also added that local manufacturing and empowered industries are needed in Nigeria to boost the economy and shrink the national debt profile. All we need is for the industries and everyone else to look to local solutions and Innoson is one.”

During the event, Mr. Cornel Osigwe, the Head of Corporate Communications at IVM, highlighted the numerous benefits of Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs) and emphasized the importance of supporting local manufacturers. He explained that natural gas has a higher combustion rate compared to fuel, making it a more environmentally friendly option. Osigwe emphasized that although Nigerians are accustomed to petrol cars, the abundance of natural gas has provided sustainable alternatives for everyone.

Osigwe further stressed the significance of transportation in driving economic development. Not only does it enable the movement of individuals, but it also facilitates the efficient distribution of goods and services, contributing to the overall growth of the economy.

Given Nigeria’s current stage of development, the increasing reliance on petrol and diesel to fulfill the transportation requirements of over 200 million individuals calls for superior transportation alternatives.

“Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, an indigenous car manufacturing company has produced hundreds of CNG-powered vehicles suitable for Nigerian and African Roads.”