Arewa Youth Circle petitions FG over marginalization in CNG initiative
By Ahmed Ahmed
The Arewa Youth Circle has submitted a formal petition to the Federal Government, decrying what it describes as “colossal relegation” of Northern Nigeria in the distribution and implementation of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative.
In a petition signed by its Coordinator, Hassan Bilyamin Jambil, the group accused the Chairman of the Presidential CNG Committee, Mr. Zacch Adedeji, and other committee members of uneven distribution of conversion and refilling centers, favoring the Southwest and other southern regions of the country.
The CNG Initiative, launched over a year ago by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, has seen massive rollout in the South, particularly in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, and Edo States.
According to the petition, Lagos alone boasts 68 conversion centers, Oyo has 18, while the entire Northeast region has none.
“The Northwest region is said to have only one participating state Kaduna with Kano, a state with over 16 million people, completely excluded,” it said
The petition includes a comprehensive analysis and cites data from the official website of the program (www.pci.gov.ng), highlighting a stark regional imbalance.
It calls for immediate investigation and intervention by the Federal Government and stakeholders to address the marginalization and ensure equitable access to the benefits of the CNG program.
Jambil stated, “It is disheartening that a program intended to bring relief to Nigerians is now becoming a symbol of inequality.
This imbalance not only undermines the purpose of the initiative but also raises serious questions about regional fairness and inclusivity in governance.”
The Arewa Youth Circle is demanding urgent action, including the establishment of both conversion centers and refilling stations across underserved northern states, and has urged the program’s leadership to respond with transparency and corrective measures.
The petition concludes with a challenge to authorities: “Let them prove us wrong by swinging into action, not by empty promises but by tangible steps toward equity.”
