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The initial euphoria that accepted the introduction of the presidential initiative on compressed natural gas (PI-CNG) seems to have elusive with the Nigerians of every social class divided on its impact.
In August 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the establishment of the presidential CNG initiative (PI-CNG), which should reduce energy and transport costs and facilitate the impact of removing fuel subsidies on the Nigerians.
But two years after the launch, many motorists who spoke Blueprint on the benefits and challenges placed on them by the initiative, even if they criticized the implementation.
In 2024, the Federal Government activated its program for the incentive of compressed natural gas conversion (CNG) in eight states, which were Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Delta, Kogi, The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nasarawa.
The Government subsequently launched a N2.5 billion credit program to promote conversions of compressed natural gas vehicles (CNG) and support the local conversion kit production, with the aim of reducing energy and transport costs at national level.
Blueprint It indicates that from its take -off, the methane policy has been persecuted by different complaints about persistent issues that include: infrastructure deficit, regional inequality, slow progress, safety risks, high conversion costs, lack of coordination, availability of promised CNG vehicles and logistical challenges.
… short duration joy
Philip Clement, a journalist, said that when he converted his car in methane vehicles he was very happy to reduce at least the amount spent on fuel for his car, adding however that it is not so considering the current reality.
He said: “Honestly, when I converted my car in the mechanism, I was happy that at least I could save some money from the high cost of petrol, which climbed from N187 per liter to almost N1, 000 or even in a moment beyond N1, 000, before I had no problems with N945. At the end of February, when people started converting to rejection.
“You know, the initial idea was that the government was subsidized, to give free kits for commercial taxi drivers. But, due to the nature of Nigeria, commercial taxi drivers started selling it, they started selling slot. Of course, the CNG conversion had to be 1.1 million N.
“But the commercial taxi drivers, the government gave kits for free, started selling them to N300,000, N250.000, in fact, some starting from N150.000. Therefore, for this, many people have rushed and embraced the plan.
“Of course, the Nigerians, when we see economic things, we hurry. So, this is how people have started converting, so many people have started converting. And then, for this reason, we now have an increase in conversion, which is not commensurate with filling centers.”
“… it’s beneficial, but …”
For Ifeanyi Oubba, even a media professional, the stress of gas purchase is now more than the benefits.
Onuba said: “I have a jeep but as it is, I could even convert. The stress of the purchase of gas is more than the advantage.
“There is nnpc in that dutse-bwari axis, but you have to spend six hours of minimum before being able to get gas. Cars sleep in the refueling stations just to buy gas. It is not worth it.”
Another user, Gabriel Kuma, said Blueprint That converting their car into methane is good for motorists.
He observed that with methane, motorists would have spent less on fuel than the use of petrol.
According to him, the only thing is that you have to change the thorns every two months or will start giving you problems.
“For example, I was able to get gases n1.200 last Saturday and Sunday, led me to my church in Wuse 2, from there I went to Jabi Park to collect some things, and I continued the extension of Katami and I went back to my house in Kubwa. The next day, that I was a Monday, which I left Kubwa in Kubwa for the extension of Katami from there before going to n.
… the blessing
For some commercial drivers, however, the conversion of methane was a blessing due to their returns on a daily basis.
According to them, now they spend less to feed their vehicles while every day they continue to smile at home.
According to Kunle, the conversion to methane for him was a blessing.
He said that his house witnessed a significant increase, adding that there is no regret discharged from his monthly work N70, 000 to occupy the guide.
“Where I worked, I was paid n70,000 but thanks to the use of a methane -powered car, the amount I received after 30 days of work is what I get every day.
When asked why his accusations are still high, Kunle explained that “it is not only the gas we use, there is still a vehicle maintenance that is still very expensive”.
… frustrations
On the stressful side of obtaining the methane, some of those who spoke with this newspaper complained of the long hours of the man spent to queue for the product.
Speaking with this journalist in Pidgin English, a resident of Bwari, Chukwuma, said: “Wahala for those waiting for methane! We decent 6-7 hours in a row for gas that barely last 4 hours, just to repeat the cycle. Mosquito and so on, just to get that gas.
“Someone told me that he only spends Sunday with his family, from Monday to Saturday he is at the methane stations,” he added.
Another user, Philip, has corroborated the position of Chukwuma, citing some examples.
He said: “I will give you an example, Sunday; I went to that methane supply station in the Wuse area. That truck until 14:00 before it came.
“And when he arrived, he began to discharge before he extended. He was discharged for an hour and 30 minutes. By 16:00 he started to distribute and since I was among the first people in the queue, I was among the first people they got.
“The people who came behind me, I’m sure they will get methane for 6. They are 12 solid hours in the queue. So imagine many lost hours.
“You know that even at 6 in the morning I came; there were already people in front of me. People sleep in the CNG station as if it were their home now because of the scarcity. So, the thing is tiring.”
Continuing, he said: “There is what they call chua-chua. People will come and will pay N2, 000, N3, 000. And these people have spent many hours in the queue.
“In fact, on Sunday, people almost exchanged physical blows for this. How can I go out at 6 in the morning and be in the queue for almost 10 hours and someone will guide only because it has N2, 000 to give?
“But since we want to respect the law, we follow the tail. But the system is so corrupt that people will guide, pay money and take it, which is not right.”
Challenges
Speaking further on the challenges, Chukuma said: “The other challenge is availability. At present, Nipo is the only gas supplier. And since other oil marketing experts see them as competitors, they are not too eager to sponsor the head. The good thing is that the agreement will expire within the next month (August), as it is, as are other markets.
… during the way out
During the way out, Philip said: “You know, the problem is that the government does not have only one hand in the mechanism. It is a pure private investment. Therefore, the only way in which the government can enter is to provide a qualifying environment for investors to come and invest in CNG and therefore certify security. So if you are organizing a CNG structure in your station, before starting the operation, the government to come and control for safety and control.
“So, the government has no investments in it, for this, it has little or nothing to do because as you can go to tell a private investor what to do with his money or how to do it, this is the problem.
“If the government had invested, that’s where we would now take into account the government. But the government does not want to put a Naira. They only allow private investments in methane.”
… short -term solution
As a short -term solution, Phillip urged the government to guide the process by expanding the infrastructure to ensure the availability of the product at any time.
He said: “The short -term solution is that, although we do not have so many filling centers, the government should guarantee that there is always the availability of gas.
“In other states, they do not suffer from gases like the way we suffer from Abuja and it is here in Ajaokuta that they go to choose the methane that go up to the methane. So, they should make it available. Once they make it available, this problem will be something from the past.
“While the government should continue to encourage private investors to come and sink their money, to open multiple centers, Nipco, Nnpcl, Mobil and Shafa are currently doing it. We understand that the Bova and the others are coming to the system. So if we have more, AA Rrano and others come to the sector, I bet that I bet in the short term that people of man like me will spend on the question.
“So, even with unavailability, the Nigerians are still making life difficult for others arriving and cutting the corners. So, the short -term solution is availability, availability, availability. If only there is availability, for example, if a truck has been sold out, another will come immediately, we will not have this problem.”
