ARISE Business Analyst, Chika Mbonu, has raised issues over the scarcity of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refuelling stations throughout Nigeria, warning that insufficient infrastructure is limiting the advantages of the federal government’s various gasoline initiative.
Speaking throughout an interview with ARISE News on Monday, Mbonu mentioned Nigeria had solely 105 CNG refuelling stations throughout 24 states and the Federal Capital Territory, whereas 12 states had no amenities.
“There are 105 refuelling stations in Nigeria, in 24 states, plus the FCT. They tell you that 12 states don’t have any refuelling station. So, just picture that. This is just like a drop in the ocean”.
He attributed the scarcity to poor planning and weak implementation of presidency insurance policies, noting that infrastructure improvement had not saved tempo with the growth of the CNG programme.
“What is happening is symptomatic of most Nigerian good initiatives, which is a lack of consistent planning or lack of rigour. When we try to do things in Nigeria, a very good initiative is very good, but the implementation becomes a problem”.
He defined that the CNG initiative was launched in 2020 below former President Muhammadu Buhari, earlier than the present administration expanded the programme following the removing of petrol subsidies in August 2023.
Mbonu mentioned CNG might scale back working prices for industrial transport operators by about 70 per cent in contrast with petrol, however insufficient refuelling infrastructure was stopping many motorists from benefiting from the financial savings.
“CNG offers commercial transport operators the opportunity to reduce their operating costs by about 70 per cent compared with petrol.”
He added that motorists typically travelled lengthy distances and spent a number of hours ready to entry Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), as a result of restricted variety of obtainable refuelling stations.
“Motorists often travel long distances and spend several hours waiting to access CNG because of the limited number of available stations.”
Using Lagos for example, Mbonu mentioned the state had solely 16 CNG refuelling factors, a quantity he thought of inadequate given its inhabitants and transportation calls for.
“In Lagos, for example, if you count Lagos and the early parts of the state, there are only 16 refuelling points. You can imagine the whole Lagos, which is the centre of Nigeria,”
He mentioned changing petrol-powered autos to CNG remained one other problem, with the method costing between ₦1 million and ₦1.7 million
“Converting petrol-powered vehicles to CNG is another challenge, as the process could cost between ₦1 million and ₦1.7 million.”
He mentioned the conversion value, coupled with the problem of accessing refuelling amenities, might make the transition financially burdensome for motorists.
“If you have to travel from here to wherever to go and get the CNG refuelling and then sleep overnight, as some have been doing, you can imagine the potential cost. At the end of the day, it becomes very expensive,”
Mbonu careworn that the supply of pure fuel alone wouldn’t assure its accessibility to motorists with out the required distribution and refuelling infrastructure.
“The fact that we have natural gas there does not mean you have your gas on your table. There are processes required to move that gas there to the vehicles, and that’s where the problem lies,”
According to him, the infrastructure required to assist the CNG programme ought to have been developed alongside the removing of petrol subsidies, notably because the initiative was anticipated to cut back transportation prices.
“ The infrastructure needed to support the CNG programme should have been put in place alongside petrol subsidy removal, especially as the initiative was expected to lower transportation costs.”
Mbonu referred to as on related stakeholders to broaden CNG refuelling infrastructure, saying wider entry might decrease transport operators’ prices and ease commuting bills.
“Expanding CNG refuelling stations could improve accessibility, reduce operators’ expenses and ease transportation costs for commuters.”
Goodness Anunobi
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