Nigerian automaker, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) Limited, has announced plans to establish a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) assembly plant in Bayelsa State, aimed at boosting the state’s transportation sector and creating job opportunities.
The company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, disclosed this during a visit to Gov. Douye Diri in Yenagoa on Monday.
Chukwuma said the investment would strengthen Bayelsa’s industrial base, provide training opportunities, and promote a cleaner environment in line with Nigeria’s renewable energy targets for 2030.
In his presentation, IVM’s Corporate Communications Manager, Mr Kamsi Ejiofor, explained that the project seeks to introduce modern CNG-powered buses, ambulances, and vehicles that would improve mobility and public service delivery in the state.
According to him, “The plant will generate about 1,000 jobs and create thousands of indirect opportunities in assembly, maintenance, logistics, and local manufacturing, while boosting Bayelsa’s economy through industrial expansion.”
Ejiofor added that the use of CNG vehicles would help reduce fuel and maintenance costs, improve air quality, and position Bayelsa as a clean energy and technology hub in Nigeria.
Responding, Gov. Diri commended Innoson for choosing Bayelsa as the location for the CNG plant, describing it as a major step toward moving the state’s economy from consumption to production.
He said the initiative aligns with the state government’s 2026 budget projection, which includes the procurement of CNG buses for its public transport system.
“It is a welcome development for a CNG vehicle plant to be sited in Bayelsa. We are ready to partner with you,” Diri said.
“The world is moving toward renewable energy due to environmental concerns. Your coming is timely because it aligns with our plan to deploy CNG buses by 2026.
“My administration is putting in place the right environment to enable investments to thrive through peace, security, infrastructure, and reliable power supply.”
The governor also announced the constitution of an implementation committee to interface with Innoson on the project.
The committee is chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, with members including Commissioners for Trade and Investment, Jones Ebieri; Information, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai; Finance, Maxwell Ebibai; Justice and Attorney-General, Biriyai Dambo (SAN); and Transport, Preye Broderick.
Other members are the Commissioner for General Duties, Mazi Johnson Onuma; Special Adviser on Investment, Owanari Harry; and Technical Adviser on Entrepreneurship, Charity Kens Godwin.
