Nigerians Await Promised CNG Vehicles as Fuel Prices Surge
The introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles as a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to petrol has been a major talking point in Nigeria for over 30 months. Initiated under the administration of former president Muhammadu Buhari in 2022, the CNG initiative was meant to replace petrol subsidies, offering Nigerians a cheaper fuel alternative. However, despite numerous promises, there is still no significant deployment of CNG vehicles on Nigerian roads.
Government’s Promises and Delays
In January 2022, Buhari announced CNG as the solution to Nigeria’s fuel crisis, especially with the anticipated removal of petrol subsidies. Fast forward to 2024, Nigerians are still waiting for the implementation of this promise. Current President Bola Tinubu’s administration inherited this unfulfilled commitment, and while there have been repeated pledges, actions remain slow.
The Presidential CNG Initiative, launched in October 2023, aimed to distribute 5,500 CNG-powered buses and tricycles, 100 electric buses, and over 20,000 conversion kits. Earlier in 2024, the government announced plans to release 3,000 CNG-fueled buses, prioritizing mass transit vehicles, which account for over 80% of petrol consumption in Nigeria. Despite these announcements, concrete results remain elusive, and many Nigerians are growing impatient with the delays.
Rising Transportation Costs and Public Outcry
The constant increase in petrol prices has put a strain on Nigerian households. Since Tinubu took office, fuel prices have skyrocketed, jumping from N180 per liter to over N1,300 in some areas. The removal of fuel subsidies, along with the failure to deliver CNG vehicles, has caused transport fares to soar. This has severely affected Nigerians, especially those who rely on mass transit to commute.
The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) expressed its frustration in August 2024, criticizing the government for not fulfilling its promises to provide buses and assist transporters in converting their vehicles to CNG. According to Segun Falade, spokesperson for the union, although the NURTW requested 10,000 buses, only 5,000 buses have been produced, and they remain at conversion facilities, awaiting rollout.
Nigerians Eager for CNG Adoption
Apart from the transport workers, ordinary Nigerians are eagerly awaiting the CNG initiative. As petrol prices continue to rise, Nigerians are looking for cheaper alternatives. Business owners, in particular, are feeling the pinch of high fuel prices.
Yohanna Dashi, a hospitality entrepreneur in Abuja, lamented the situation, stating, “Tinubu has increased fuel prices more than all past presidents within a short period. Even with the Dangote Refinery, there’s no relief. If CNG is the solution, why hasn’t it been implemented already?”
The delay in rolling out CNG vehicles is especially concerning to transport companies. Momah Adagbo, fleet manager at CarFit, a car hire and logistics company at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, explained that the high cost of petrol is crippling their business. “We’ve increased our prices twice this year, but we’re still struggling because clients are looking for cheaper alternatives,” Adagbo said. He added that converting his Hiace buses to CNG could be the solution, but he is still waiting for the government to make the conversion kits available.
Similarly, James Ochiulo, manager at Libra Motors in Lagos, expressed the need for CNG conversion to reduce transportation costs. “The cost of spare parts, oil, and maintenance has skyrocketed. We’re passing these costs onto our passengers, but they’re the ones suffering the most,” Ochiulo said.
Government’s Efforts and Progress
Despite the public’s frustration, the government insists that progress is being made. Michael Oluwagbemi, the CEO of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), confirmed that the conversion process has begun in states like Oyo and Lagos, with plans to expand to more states soon. According to Oluwagbemi, over 6,000 conversion kits have been distributed in the last 45 days, and an additional 12,000 kits are expected within the next 30 days.
Moreover, the PCNGI has signed agreements with 75 conversion firms across the country to facilitate the transition to CNG. Oluwagbemi assured the public that the government aims to complete 150,000 direct conversions within the next year. However, many Nigerians remain skeptical, calling for more urgency in the initiative’s implementation.
Conclusion: Nigerians Demand Action
While the government continues to make promises about the CNG initiative, the delay in rolling out these vehicles is fueling public dissatisfaction. As petrol prices continue to rise, Nigerians are demanding that the government deliver on its promises and make CNG vehicles widely available. For many, the time for action is now, as the high cost of transportation is becoming increasingly unbearable.
Social Media Reactions:
- @chuks2020: “The government promised CNG buses, but we’re still waiting. Why do they keep making promises they can’t keep? #CNGNow”
- @ebuka_onpoint: “Petrol is now N1300 per liter and we still haven’t seen these CNG buses they promised! Ridiculous. #CNGRollout”
- @ms_tomi: “Honestly, how long does it take to roll out these CNG buses? People are suffering!”
- @kingsley_d: “Maybe the government forgot they promised us CNG vehicles. We’re still paying crazy amounts for petrol. #CNGVehicles”
- @therealcharles: “If they had started the CNG program earlier, we wouldn’t be facing these high transport fares.”
- @amaka_rocks: “Transport fares are killing us. Please, where are these CNG buses? #NigeriansAreTired”
- @blessing_cee: “The government keeps increasing fuel prices and doing nothing about the CNG conversion. We need action, not promises.”
- @techguy_x: “They say they’ve distributed conversion kits, but we’ve yet to see any on the roads. Who’s fooling who? #CNGConversion”
- @uche_real: “Fuel scarcity and rising prices yet CNG buses are nowhere to be found. What’s going on?”
- @jenny_pearl: “It’s crazy that after 30 months, we still haven’t seen one CNG bus on the road!”
- @john_dey: “If the government is serious about CNG, why are we still waiting for buses to roll out? #EnoughIsEnough”
- @ezinne_chloe: “This CNG bus thing feels like another empty promise. Nigerians deserve better.”
- @tiwa_xoxo: “Fuel prices keep going up, and CNG buses keep getting delayed. When will this stop?”
- @bobby_lagos: “We need CNG buses urgently. Transport fares are ridiculous!”
- @frankline_007: “All this talk of CNG buses and yet, nothing to show for it. We’re tired of waiting.”
- @sade_og: “If the government can’t give us CNG buses now, when will they? People are really suffering.”
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