By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) has expressed strong disapproval of a recent media report about the organization, describing it as unprofessional and misleading, and an affront to ethical journalism.
The report (not Persecondnews) accused PCNGI of removing a list of approved conversion centres from its website in an attempt to obscure information.
PCNGI clarified that the site is undergoing scheduled updates to include a broader, more inclusive list of newly accredited centres.
In a statement released on Thursday by the PCNGI’s Brand and Corporate communications Manager, Matilda Johnson, accused the publication of relying on what it called “conjecture, factual misrepresentation, and unnamed sources to malign the initiative’s efforts.”
The report, according to PCNGI, ignored the programme’s measurable successes and mischaracterized both individuals and activities within the organization.
The statement said: “Since its inception, PCNGI has attracted over $800 million in combined public and private investments, created more than 100,000 jobs, and catalyzed a nationwide shift toward cleaner, cost-effective energy.
“Over 100,000 CNG powered vehicles are currently on Nigerian roads, a fivefold increase within one year. Among the initiative’s recent milestones is the deployment of 4,000 CNG trucks and 100 virtual pipeline vehicles by the Dangote Group, alongside several new daughter stations.
“In addition, PCNGI has supported the expansion of MSME run conversion centers from just seven at launch to more than 300 today, with about 20 new centers opening weekly.”
The statement also refuted the portrayal of one Mr. David Idakwo as a senior official within the initiative, clarifying that he is a middle level field officer employed in late 2024 and holds no executive authority.
It stated that attempts to tie him to nepotism through past business associations were as baseless and unfair.
PCNGI maintained that its transparency measures and enforcement actions may have disrupted vested interests, which it believed could be the root of what the online medium called sustained hostility.
“We remain committed to public accountability and national development,” said Johnson.
“Constructive criticism is welcome, but distortion in the name of journalism only undermines national progress.”
The agency urged the medium to uphold journalistic integrity, emphasizing that Nigeria needs a media industry that supports, not sabotages, its development efforts.
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