In recent months, Nigerian motorists have increasingly turned to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a cost-effective alternative to petrol, especially after the removal of fuel subsidies led to soaring petrol prices. However, this shift has exposed significant infrastructure challenges, with drivers often enduring overnight waits at the limited number of CNG dispensing stations nationwide.
The Surge in CNG Adoption
The Nigerian government's Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG) initiative aims to harness the country's vast natural gas reserves to provide a cheaper and cleaner fuel alternative. The program targets the conversion of 1 million vehicles to CNG within three years, with over 100,000 vehicles already adapted to run on CNG. This transition promises to reduce transportation costs by nearly 50%, offering substantial relief to both commercial and private vehicle owners.
Infrastructure Bottlenecks
Despite the growing demand, the infrastructure to support CNG refueling remains grossly inadequate. As of December 2024, Nigeria had only about 34 operational CNG stations, resulting in approximately 870 vehicles relying on a single station. This disparity has led to long queues, with some drivers spending two days waiting to refuel.
The high cost of establishing CNG stations further exacerbates the problem. Each station requires an investment exceeding N1 billion, and industry experts estimate that expanding the network to 1,000 stations would necessitate an initial investment of N1.2 trillion.
Government and Stakeholder Responses
In response to these challenges, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has partnered with NIPCO Gas Limited to construct 35 additional CNG stations across the country. This collaboration aims to provide more refueling options for motorists and alleviate the pressure on existing stations.
However, stakeholders in the petroleum and transport sectors argue that these efforts are insufficient. They emphasize the need for a more robust network of CNG stations to support the widespread adoption of natural gas as a sustainable alternative to conventional fuels.
Impact on Motorists
The inadequate infrastructure has significantly impacted motorists, particularly commercial drivers who rely on timely refueling to sustain their livelihoods. Many have voiced concerns over the lack of refueling stations and the high cost of conversion kits, which hinder the seamless transition to CNG-powered systems.
For instance, commercial vehicle drivers and other potential users have raised concerns over inadequate infrastructure for conversion and refueling, as well as the high cost of kits for a seamless transition to the CNG-power system for their vehicles.
Conclusion
While the shift to CNG presents a viable solution to Nigeria's escalating fuel costs and environmental concerns, the current infrastructure is insufficient to meet the growing demand. To fully realize the benefits of CNG adoption, substantial investments in refueling infrastructure are imperative. Without these critical developments, motorists will continue to face prolonged wait times, undermining the potential advantages of this alternative fuel source.
Keywords: CNG infrastructure Nigeria, Compressed Natural Gas stations, fuel subsidy removal, vehicle conversion to CNG, NNPCL and NIPCO partnership, Nigerian motorists, alternative fuel adoption, transportation costs Nigeria, CNG refueling challenges, sustainable energy Nigeria.
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