Rivers urged to deploy CNG for job creation, tackle pollution

Rivers State has been urged to deploy Compressed Natural Gas to reduce air pollution, lower transportation costs and create jobs as part of efforts to promote cleaner energy and sustainable economic development.

Petroleum engineer and environmental safeguard specialist, Owhonda Nkeiruka, made the call in a statement on Wednesday about the role of CNG in Rivers State’s energy transition and environmental governance.

Owhonda said CNG adoption should not be viewed merely as an energy policy issue, stressing that it has wider implications for public health, transportation, employment, environmental protection and economic development.

She said Rivers, despite its enormous oil and gas resources, continues to face environmental challenges, including black soot, industrial emissions, gas flaring and vehicular pollution.

According to her, ageing petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles, particularly commercial buses, taxis and tricycles, contribute significantly to exhaust pollution around busy roads, motor parks, markets and major junctions in Port Harcourt and other parts of the state.

“As a Rivers woman, an engineer and an environmental professional, I have lived with the contradiction of a state blessed with enormous oil and gas resources. At the same time, its people continue to bear some of the environmental consequences associated with conventional fuels and poor environmental practices,” she said.

Owhonda described CNG as a practical opportunity for Rivers to translate its gas wealth into direct benefits for residents.

She explained that CNG, which is mainly methane stored under high pressure, burns more cleanly than conventional petrol and diesel and produces significantly less particulate matter and other harmful exhaust pollutants.