The Federal Government’s ambitious Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle initiative, launched to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs following the removal of petrol subsidies, has encountered significant challenges across Nigeria, threatening the program’s goal of transitioning one million vehicles to CNG by 2027.
Reports from various sources indicate that inadequate infrastructure, long refueling queues, and safety concerns have stalled the initiative, leaving commuters and transport operators frustrated.
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), introduced by President Bola Tinubu in October 2023, aimed to provide a cheaper and cleaner alternative to petrol and diesel by deploying 5,500 CNG-powered buses and tricycles, 100 electric buses, and over 20,000 conversion kits, backed by a N100 billion investment from the N500 billion palliative budget.
The program promised reduced transportation costs, improved air quality, and job creation through the establishment of conversion workshops and refueling stations.
However, nearly two years after its launch, the initiative is grappling with significant operational hurdles.
According to recent reports, one of the primary issues plaguing the scheme is the severe shortage of CNG refueling stations.
In many states, particularly in northern Nigeria, commuters have complained about the absence of operational CNG buses and tricycles, despite promises made by the Tinubu administration.
Long queues at the few existing refueling stations have forced many drivers to revert to petrol, undermining the program’s cost-saving objectives.
A social media post on X highlighted the frustration, stating, “People can’t waste six hours refueling—they’re reverting to petrol.”
Industry stakeholders have also raised concerns about the lack of adequate infrastructure and trained personnel.
The limited number of refueling stations—only 60 planned nationwide by the end of 2024—cannot support the growing number of converted vehicles.
Additionally, the high cost of conversion, ranging from N700,000 to N1.8 million for private vehicles, has deterred many Nigerians, despite the government’s provision of free conversions for commercial vehicles registered with transport unions like RTEAN and NURTW.
Critics argue that the initiative was rolled out without sufficient planning or public awareness campaigns, exposing citizens to potential safety risks due to the handling of CNG cylinders.
reports say that the N786 billion investment in the CNG program is now at risk, with some commentators alleging that the initiative was poorly designed and primarily served to benefit political insiders rather than the public.
“It was never designed to succeed. It was designed to enrich the pockets of criminals in Aso Rock,” one X user claimed, reflecting widespread public skepticism.
Despite these challenges, the government remains optimistic. Michael Oluwagbemi, Programme Director of PCNGI, recently emphasized the initiative’s potential, projecting a $10 billion market value for CNG in Nigeria over the next five years.
The government has partnered with private sector players and launched a N10 billion Credit Access for Light and Mobility (CALM) Fund to support conversions, alongside a “convert now, pay later” portal to ease financial burdens.
However, these measures have yet to address the immediate infrastructural gaps.
Stakeholders in the transport and automotive sectors have called for urgent action to salvage the initiative. Suggestions include increasing the number of refueling stations, enhancing safety protocols, and subsidizing conversion costs for private vehicle owners.
Without these interventions, experts warn that the CNG program risks becoming another failed government project, further eroding public trust.
For now, the dream of a gas-powered vehicle revolution remains stalled, with commuters left waiting for solutions to the nation’s persistent infrastructure woes.
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