Imagine this: It’s a sunny Monday morning, and you’re standing at a filling station in Lagos. The air is thick with heat, and the queue, as usual, is as long as the “first gate to last gate” trek in secondary school. Your pockets are feeling the pinch of constant fuel hikes, and then someone beside you whispers, “Why you no just change to CNG? That one no dey cost like this.”
For many Nigerians, the mention of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) brings up images of long queues, complicated mechanics, and the headache of switching vehicles. For others its the thought that they can no longer stuff bags into the boot of their vehicles. But is CNG really the answer to our petrol wahala? Let’s embark on this journey to understand Nigeria’s drive towards CNG, the good, the bad, and the “are you kidding me?” moments.
The Fuel Wahala
First, let’s take a quick flashback to how we got here. Once upon a time, fuel in Nigeria was as cheap as pure water sold at traffic. But then, as the years rolled by, fuel subsidies, global oil prices, and government policies began to squeeze wallets of citizens tighter than a new pair of shoes bought from Yaba market. Today, it feels like every time you blink, the price of petrol has jumped again.
Enter the alternative: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). The Federal government has been pushing CNG as a more affordable, cleaner fuel source. But let’s not kid ourselves, this journey hasn’t exactly been a smooth drive.
A Bumpy Road to CNG
For those who don’t know, CNG is natural gas stored at high pressure, used mainly for fueling vehicles. It’s cleaner than petrol and way cheaper too. If we think back, the government started talking about CNG conversion seriously around 2020, amidst the global oil crisis and fuel subsidy removal. The idea was simple: since Nigeria has abundant natural gas, why not use it to ease the fuel burden on everyday Nigerians?
But this is Nigeria, and things that look simple on paper usually have a way of becoming more complicated in real life. First of all, not every car is “CNG-ready.” Most cars in Nigeria run on petrol or diesel, so to use CNG, you either have to buy a new vehicle or convert your existing one. And this conversion process no be small money. It could cost anywhere between ₦200,000 to ₦600,000. Now, ask yourself, how many Nigerians have that kind of spare change lying around?
Secondly, even if you manage to convert your car to CNG, finding a CNG filling station can be like searching for your charger in a Nigerian home – not readily available although that seems to be changing speedily! While there are some stations in major cities like Lagos and Abuja, they are far from widespread. Imagine living in Lokoja or Ile Ife and having to drive all the way to Lagos just to fill your tank. Who wan do that one?
The Promise of a Brighter (and Cheaper) Future
Despite the many hurdles, there is hope on the horizon. For one, the Nigerian government, under its National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP), has been working to set up more CNG filling stations across the country. They even plan to make 1 million cars CNG-compatible in the coming years. It’s an ambitious goal, but if done right, it could bring a lot of relief to the average Nigerian motorist.
Plus, there’s no denying that CNG is much cheaper than petrol. While petrol prices in Nigeria have been climbing faster than a conductor on a moving danfo, CNG prices have remained relatively stable. Imagine filling your car with CNG at ₦95 per litre instead of shelling out ₦600 for petrol. Na big difference!
Moreover, CNG is better for the environment. As Nigerians, we sometimes forget that all those fumes from our cars are adding to global pollution. CNG burns cleaner, meaning less smoke and fewer greenhouse gases. So, if we adopt CNG on a larger scale, we might just be doing Mother Earth a big favor.
Challenges and the Way Forward
So, what are the major challenges slowing down Nigeria’s CNG conversion?
- High Conversion Costs: For many Nigerians, spending up ₦200,000 to convert a car is just too much. While there are talks of government subsidies or soft loans to help with this, most people still find the price tag daunting.
- Limited Infrastructure: CNG filling stations are far from common, especially outside major cities. Until more stations are built, many motorists will stick with petrol because it’s simply more convenient.
- Awareness: Many Nigerians still don’t understand what CNG is or how it works. There’s a need for more public education and awareness campaigns to demystify the process and encourage adoption.
- Regulatory and Safety Concerns: CNG requires specific safety standards that must be followed during the conversion process. If corners are cut, it could lead to dangerous outcomes like leaks or accidents.
Is CNG the Future?
As Nigerians, we’re used to waka. We adapt, we hustle, and we push through challenges. The journey to CNG adoption may be long and filled with potholes, but the benefits are clear: cheaper fuel, cleaner air, and less dependence on imported petrol.
If the government can keep its promises and ensure widespread availability of CNG filling stations, more Nigerians might be willing to make the switch. It’s not an overnight transformation, but it’s a journey worth taking.
In the meantime, as we wait for CNG to become the new normal, let’s hope that fuel prices don’t continue to rise faster than our blood pressure when we see them. And maybe one day, we’ll all be cruising in CNG-powered cars, laughing at the memory of long petrol queues and expensive fuel hikes.
Na who no want cheap fuel, abeg?
