In recent times, you may have heard a lot of talk about CNG (Compressed Natural Gas). Everybody dey shout am! “CNG this, CNG that,” and yet, for many people, it still feels like one of those fancy things only the “big men” understand. But here’s the thing: CNG conversion might just be the real deal that could help our dear Nigeria solve some serious wahala with fuel prices and pollution. However, like with anything new, convincing people to embrace the switch can be another story.
So, na how we go boost Nigerians’ acceptance of CNG conversion? After all, if CNG na the future of transport in Naija, we for don begin yarn seriously about how to make sure everybody go follow jump ship.
Fuel Wahala: The Need for a Change
Let’s face it: the price of petrol has been running wild like say na Usain Bolt, and everybody dey feel am. Since the subsidy removal, fuel prices have been doing “come and go” like suya sellers at a night market. One moment, it’s N300 per litre, next thing you know, e don jump to N600. Na who wan afford to fuel car every day like this? Not to mention the diesel prices wey dey hike like say the truck drivers wan vex.
Meanwhile, our environment dey suffer. The fumes from all these petrol-powered cars no dey allow our lungs rest. We all know how our beloved cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt are basically gas chambers—everywhere black smoke full ground. Something needs to change. And quickly too!
CNG to the Rescue!
Enter CNG. For those wey no too sabi wetin CNG be, it’s a type of natural gas compressed to high pressure, which can be used as fuel for vehicles. Na cleaner fuel, e no go pollute environment like petrol, and most importantly, e no dey cost like petrol.
Imagine if you fit fuel your car for less than half the price of petrol. Sweet deal, abi? Well, that’s the kind of blessing CNG dey bring. Plus, our country get the natural gas reserves in abundance, so e go make sense make we use wetin we get plenty for house instead of paying big money to import petrol. But no be all Nigerians don grab this concept yet. Many people still dey wonder whether CNG conversion na scam or whether e go just tire halfway.
The Fear of the Unknown
First things first, let’s talk about the elephant in the room—fear. Change, especially when it comes to how we dey run our daily activities, can be scary. Most Nigerians are used to the good ol’ petrol and diesel. Even though fuel scarcity dey cause headache, we still dey manage somehow. Now, when you come talk about “CNG conversion,” na like you dey tell person wey never chop for three days say make e switch from fufu to quinoa. The person go first look you like say you no well.
A lot of Nigerians still feel like CNG na experiment. “Wetin if I convert my car and tomorrow dem no fit maintain am?” “What if CNG finish?” “Who go dey repair these CNG cars?” These are legit concerns. Nobody wan hear stories that touch after spending money to convert their vehicle.
Making the Conversion Sweet
The challenge here na how to make the process of conversion sweet for Nigerians. You see, if person no dey see clear benefit for something, e go hard to convince am. Right now, CNG conversion dey look like something wey dey involve plenty money and wahala. But truth be told, if we fit reduce the cost and make am more accessible, people go start to pay attention.
- Subsidize the Conversion Process: If government fit subsidize CNG conversion process, e go sweet more people to convert. Right now, converting your petrol car to CNG dey cost some serious money—between N200,000 to N300,000. For a lot of Nigerians wey dey struggle to even fuel car, spending that kind money on conversion no go dey attractive. But if government fit help reduce the cost, na win-win.
- Set Up CNG Stations Nationwide: Let’s talk about availability. If CNG no dey for my area, how I wan use convert my car? It’s like person wey buy electric car for village wey no get light. For this CNG thing to work, government and private companies need to collaborate to set up CNG filling stations across Nigeria. Imagine if you fit fill your tank for CNG station close to your house—smooth ride go dey for you.
- Provide Incentives: Everybody loves freebies! If government dey serious about boosting CNG acceptance, dem fit introduce some incentives—like reduced road tax, toll-free lanes, or even special grants for individuals and businesses wey wan convert to CNG. If person know say e go enjoy extra perks for using CNG, na that time you go see people dey rush to switch.
- Awareness Campaigns: Nigerians sabi follow trend when dem understand the thing well. Remember when solar-powered inverters first come out? E be like say na rich man’s item, but now, with all the adverts, discounts, and enlightenment, plenty people don dey embrace am. Same thing fit happen for CNG. Government and stakeholders need to run aggressive campaigns—both online and offline—to educate people about the benefits and safety of CNG conversion. And abeg, make dem explain in simple terms o! No too much “big English” wey go scare person away.
Addressing Safety Concerns
Nigerians dey fear fire! We no go forget those horror videos wey dey show petrol tankers wey dey explode or gas cylinders wey dey blow up for kitchen. So, it’s understandable why some people dey worry about CNG and safety. But truth be say, CNG na one of the safest fuels when properly managed. E no go ignite easily like petrol, and in case of leakage, the gas dey dissipate fast into the atmosphere.
The key na for the government and conversion companies to ensure that safety measures are in place. We need to hear more about how CNG systems are being regulated and maintained. If Nigerians trust say their cars no go blow up like Nollywoood stunt double, they go convert sharp-sharp.
The Road Ahead
At the end of the day, boosting Nigerians’ acceptance of CNG conversion no be one-man job. It will take concerted efforts from the government, private sector, and everyday citizens. Na collective work. But e get one sweet truth wey dey this matter: if we embrace CNG now, we fit create a better future for ourselves, our pockets, and our planet.
So, as you read this, think about the next time you dey grumble say fuel price don increase again. Wouldn’t it be nice to fill your tank with CNG at a fraction of the cost, drive freely, and still breathe clean air? E go better make we all jump on this CNG train now before e leave station. After all, nobody like to dey hear “last price” when better deal still dey ground.
