Sad Reality CNG Motorists Face on Long Queues
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CNG motorists in parts of Nigeria are facing long queues and limited access to dispensing stations, raising concerns about the time lost despite the lower cost of the alternative fuel.
For years, Nigerians have depended heavily on petroleum products for transportation, with diesel serving as one of the alternatives for some commercial and heavy-duty vehicles. The introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) into Nigeria's transportation system was expected to provide motorists with a cheaper alternative and help reduce the rising cost of transportation.
When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu launched the CNG initiative in 2023, the policy was presented as part of the government's response to the economic hardship and rising transportation costs that followed the removal of the petrol subsidy.
The government subsequently promoted CNG vehicle conversions, CNG-powered buses and the development of CNG refueling infrastructure across the country.
However, three years after the initiative was introduced, some motorists who have converted their vehicles to CNG are facing another challenge: long queues and limited access to dispensing stations.
In parts of Nigeria, particularly Abuja and Lagos, motorists can spend several hours waiting in queues at CNG stations, with limited numbers of stations available to meet demand in some locations.
247NewsCheck visited some CNG dispensing stations in the Central Area of Abuja to obtain first-hand information about the challenges motorists face before they can purchase CNG.
In the Federal Capital Territory, recent observations by 247NewsCheck found CNG being sold at about ₦380 per standard cubic metre (SCM) at some locations for passenger and commercial vehicles, compared with petrol selling at about ₦1,395.50 per litre. Prices, however, vary depending on the location, station and retailer.
For motorists who have embraced CNG because of its lower pump price, the savings can come with another cost: time.
Mr. Joel, a commercial driver, told 247NewsCheck about the constant difficulty he faces whenever his vehicle runs out of CNG.
According to him, while CNG may be cheaper at the pump, accessing it can be expensive in terms of time.
Mr. Joel said he had spent his second day waiting in the queue and had still not been able to purchase CNG.
He said he spent the previous night in his vehicle because going home would have meant returning the following day to struggle for a place in another long queue.
His experience is shared by other motorists waiting at CNG stations.
Some motorists told 247NewsCheck that every hour spent waiting in a long queue is an hour that could otherwise have been spent transporting passengers and earning income.
For commercial drivers in particular, the time spent waiting for CNG can directly affect their daily earnings, even when the fuel itself costs less than petrol.
The motorists are therefore calling on the Federal Government and relevant agencies to address the challenges affecting the smooth supply, distribution and accessibility of CNG across the country.
They say improving the availability of CNG dispensing stations and ensuring a more reliable supply could help motorists spend less time in queues and allow Nigerians to benefit more fully from the lower cost of CNG as an alternative transportation fuel.
