From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
Nigerian vehicle manufacturers, Innoson Vehicles Manufcturing (IVM) Limited, has disclosed plans to establish a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) assembly plant in Bayelsa State.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, stated this on Monday when he visited Governor Douye Diri in Government House, Yenagoa.
The Innoson CEO said the investment would boost the state’s transportation sector as well as provide training and create jobs.
He stated that the initiative will also promote cleaner and greener environment and enhance the country’s capacity to meet its renewable energy target by 2030.
In his presentation, the company’s Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Kamsi Ejiofor, explained that the objective is to introduce modern CNG buses, ambulances and vehicles that would enhance mobility and public efficiency in the state.
According to him, the plant will generate 1000 jobs and thousands of direct opportunities in assembly, maintenance, logistics and local manufacturing as well as boosting Bayelsa’s economy by enhancing its industrial base.
Ejiofor said: “The usage of CNG vehicles will save cost from fuel and maintenance, improve health, cleaner air and lead to innovation in Bayelsa, making the state a clean energy and tech pioneer in Nigeria.”
Responding, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, commended Chief Chukwuma for the decision to site the the CNG conversion plant in the state, noting that the investment would help grow Bayelsa’s industrial base.
While expressing his administration’s commitment to collaborate with the vehicle firm, Senator Diri described the initiative as a welcome development towards moving the state’s economy from consuming to production.
The governor, who said the investment was timely, noted that procurement of CNG vehicles was in the state government’s budget projection for 2026 and expressed delight over the economic impact of such investment, particularly in the area of job opportunities.
The state’s helmsman noted that his administration was putting in place the necessary infrastructure to support investments in Bayelsa and urged other investors to emulate Innoson to invest in the state.
“It is a welcome development for CNG vehicles plant to be sited in Bayelsa. We are ready to partner with you.
“One area that l am interested in is the CNG aspect. The world is moving towards renewal energy because of environmental pollution.
“My administration was considering purchasing CNG buses to run our upland transport system. Your coming is timely because it is part of our projections for 2026.
“I assure you that we are putting in place the right environment to enable investments thrive in terms of peace and security, infrastructure and our independent power supply, which will ensure uninterrupted electricity.”
Diri also announced an implementation committee to interface with the company.
The committee has Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei as chairman while other members are the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Jones Ebieri, his Information and Finance counterparts, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai and Maxwell Ebibai respectively.
Others are the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Biriyai Dambo (SAN),
Preye Broderick (Transport), Mazi Johnson Onuma (General Duties), as well as the Special Adviser on Investment, Owanari Harry, and the
Technical Adviser on Entrepreneurship, Charity Kens Godwin.
