The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGi) has dismissed recent allegations against its operations, attributing the claims to a suspended vendor previously involved in unethical practices.
In a statement issued Sunday in Abuja, Kenechukwu Chukwu, Technical Assistant on Stakeholder Management and Public Engagement at P-CNGi, named the source of the allegations as Charles Goriola Yakubu of C & L Smart Energy Limited. According to Chukwu, Yakubu currently leads the group behind the claims, operating under the name Independent Conversion Sector (ICS).
“The attention of the management of the Presidential CNG Initiative (P-CNGi) has been drawn to a sponsored smear campaign by a group known as the Independent Conversion Sector (ICS), led by Mr. Charles Goriola Yakubu of C & L Smart Energy Limited, Lokogoma, Abuja,” the statement said.
P-CNGi disclosed that C & L Smart Energy was suspended from its Conversion Incentive Program in December 2024 after investigations revealed that the company was selling government-provided CNG kits—meant to be distributed and installed free of charge to commercial operators—at inflated prices ranging from ₦200,000 to ₦1.2 million.
The statement further noted that evidence, including video recordings and witness testimonies, supported reports of fraudulent sales and vehicle damage linked to the company’s activities.
“C & L Smart Energy was part of the P-CNGi Conversion Incentive Program until December 2024, when it was suspended for unethical practices. Several commercial operators who fell victim to these activities came forward, with some reporting that their vehicles suffered damage,” Chukwu stated.
The case has been referred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation. P-CNGi emphasized that it does not directly award contracts or handle procurement, which are managed by relevant government agencies. The initiative remains focused on its core mandate of promoting cleaner, more affordable energy solutions.
“We take the integrity of this program seriously and urge members of the press and public to avoid being misled by baseless distractions,” the statement read.
P-CNGi also hinted at possible legal action over what it described as “electronic blackmail and cyberbullying” related to the false claims.
“We hope they are prepared to defend their spurious allegations in the public domain,” it added.
The Initiative reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to compressed natural gas and electric mobility solutions across Nigeria, calling on the public to continue supporting its clean energy efforts.
