Chinedu Okafor
The Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has been confirmed as one of the 20 Nigerian universities selected to benefit from the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) under the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) Sprout Programme.
Already, plans were underway for the installation of a gas fueling plant and deployment of CNG-powered buses (5) and tricycles(10) on campus.
Coordinator of the PCNGI, Engr. Wole Suleiman, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to FUOYE management, where he revealed that preparations were already in top gear for the rollout of a gas fueling plant and deployment of CNG-powered buses and tricycles on campus.
Besides, Engr. Suleiman stated that clearance works had been completed as a Mobile Refueling Unit (MRU) had already arrived in the country from China.
He, however, expressing optimism that FERMADEC, the company handling the implementation, would mobilise to site at FUOYE without delay.
Engr. Suleiman emphasized the importance of immediate visibility on the project by the university as FUOYE’s collaboration with FERMADEC would be crucial in ensuring timely execution.
While assuring FUOYE that by the coming year, the fueling plant would be fully functional, he said the buses and tricycles under the programme operational would become inevitable.
Specifically, the PCNGI Coordinator revealed that discussions were ongoing with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to fast-track funding for the project, while a joint team comprising representatives of the university and the initiative would oversee full implementation.
According to him, FUOYE would be the fourth university in the state to have CNG equipment installed, joining Ekiti State University (EKSU), Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), and energy company BOVAS which simultaneously was setting up a CNG plant in Ado-Ekiti.
He also announced that 20 bio-fuel tricycles had already been deployed to Ekiti State, and added that FUOYE students, particularly those in the Faculty of Engineering, would benefit from a conversion incentive programme designed to train students on vehicle gas conversion technologies.
On the agricultural aspect of the programme, Engr. Suleiman explained that the Federal Government has planned to identify idle lands within universities for large-scale farming.
He noted that 50 to100 hectares would be targeted in each selected university, beginning with a pilot phase in 10 institutions in Nigeria by the end of the year.
He, however, encouraged FUOYE to put up a strong bid to be among the early beneficiaries of the agricultural initiative, stressing that available land, agricultural equipment, faculty strength, and community cooperation would determine eligibility.
Responding on behalf of the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olubunmi Shittu, Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Administration), Professor Bolanle Opoola, commended the Federal Government for making Ekiti State one of the beneficiaries of the programme.
He described the gesture as a homecoming honour for Engr. Suleiman, an indigene of the state while assuring him that the university would give full support to the initiative.
Professor Oopola prayed for more success and recognition for the PCNGI Coordinator, noting that both the Vice-Chancellor and the Acting Vice-Chancellor came from an agricultural background, which would further strengthen the university’s commitment to the agricultural project.
Professor Opoola stressed that FUOYE already had a “Green Revolution Programme” in place, expressing confidence that the institution would leverage this new opportunity to consolidate its position as a model for other universities.
On behalf of the university management, the Registrar, Mr. Mufutau Ibrahim, also appreciated the Coordinator for his support to the institution.
He highlighted that FUOYE boasted one of the largest numbers of professors in the Faculty of Agriculture in the university which would aid the smooth commencement of the agricultural initiative.
Mr. Ibrahim assured the PCNGI team of the university’s readiness to mobilize its academic and administrative strength to ensure that FUOYE emerge as a leading model in the implementation of the CNG and agricultural development programmes.
Photo Credit: Toye Fisher
