The Enugu State government has begun the process of transitioning from the Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, vehicles in order to reduce the cost of transportation for the people of the state.

The commissioner for transport, Dr Obi Ozor disclosed this on Friday while briefing the press on the outcome of the state executive council meeting presided over by governor Peter Mbah at the government house Enugu.

NaijaCentral Online reports that according to the exco, the move was in line with governor Mbah’s commitment to improving the living standards of the people and reducing their sufferings.

The transport commissioner while acknowledging that the decision will cushion the effect of the fuel price hike in the country, said the state government has concluded plans to buy buses and support the private sector to invest in the transportation space with the aim of bringing a safe, affordable and sustainable transportation system in the state.

While stating that the state government has created an enabling environment for investments in the CNG project, Dr Ozor said it has secured a partnership agreement with a private sector for the conversion of petrol vehicles CNG ones.

Also, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia said the exco also approved the creation of a new ministry called the ministry of Energy and Natural Resources to serve as a supervising ministry to handle all the state government’s engagements in the energy and mineral resources spaces.

Prof Onyia stated that the new ministry will oversight most of the investment opportunities within the solid mineral space and to help catalyse investments in the energy, renewable energy and coal-to-power spaces.