- Safiu Kehinde
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) has vowed to take legal action against a private group, Independent Conversion Sector (ICS) Over alleged blackmail.
This was made known in a statement issued on Sunday by the initiative’s Technical Adviser on Stakeholder Management and Public Engagement, Kenechukwu Chukwu.
According to the statement, the group is alleged led by one Charles Goriola Yakub of C & L Smart Energy Limited.
Yakub’s was claimed to be part of the PCNGI Conversion Incentive Programmes before being suspended on account of alleged sharp practices of selling government kits which are meant to be for free.
The kits was alleged sold between the range of N200,000 to N1.2 million with several victims coming out to narrate the ordeal with their damaged vehicles.
While noting that it has referred the case for further investigation to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), PCNGI explained that it does not award contracts or procure by itself.
Rather, procurement are done through the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in charge.
The initiative vowed to take legal action against the group while urging the Press to avoid needless distraction.
The statement read in part; “The attention of the management of the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI) has been drawn to the sponsored smear attack campaign by a certain group known as Independent Conversion Sector (ICS).
“The known individual behind the group is Mr. Charles Goriola Yakub of C & L Smart Energy Limited, Lokogoma, Abuja.
“Records shows that C & L Smart Energy was part of the PCNGI Conversion Incentive Program up until December 2024 when it was suspended due to sharp practices of selling government kits otherwise meant to be installed for free for commercial operators at prices ranging from 200,000 naira to 1.2 million naira.
“PCNGI investigation backed with video evidence and documentation was extensive and several operators that fell victim to the sharp practices of Mr. Charles and his company came forward, some of whom also had their vehicle damaged.
“PCNGI took decisive actions against sharp practices to sanitize the system and have since referred the case for further investigation to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). We take the integrity of the program serious. As an intervention program, PCNGI does not award contracts or procure by itself, it depends on other MDAs to do so to focus on its core role of promotion and enablement.
“We remain focused on this mission. And implore the Press and public to avoid the needless distraction.
“In due course, legal actions and report to law enforcement on the ongoing electronic blackmail and cyber bullying by the subject will also be made.
“We hope they’re ready to defend their spurious claims in public.
“We thank the public for their abiding support for the program and promise to continue to deliver on clean, cheap and reliable transportation powered by CNG and EV vehicles for all Nigerians in line with our mandate. We shall not relent.”