By Patrick Idowu
More motorists across Nigeria are switching to Compressed Natural Gas as a cheaper alternative to petrol, urging the government to expand refilling stations to sustain the transition.
A survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja revealed that many drivers have overcome their initial fears, describing CNG as a safer, cleaner, and more affordable fuel option at N230 per Standard Cubic Meter.
Queues at conversion centers and refilling stations indicate a surge in adoption, with the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative confirming the establishment of 190 conversion centers and 56 retail outlets, with plans to increase them significantly by year-end.
Motorists like Moses Ibeh and Abdul Ibrahim shared their experiences, highlighting massive savings on fuel costs.
Ibeh, who coordinates a staff bus, said his office reduced its weekly fuel expense from N90,000 to N47,000 after converting to CNG.
Ibrahim stressed the need for major oil marketers to integrate CNG services in fuel stations, ensuring accessibility for long-distance drivers and reducing transport fares.
As part of its strategy, the P-CNG Initiative has introduced incentives such as free conversion for mass transit vehicles, a 50 percent discount for ride-share drivers, and a consumer credit scheme to support CNG adoption.
The government aims to convert one million vehicles by 2027, positioning CNG as the future of affordable transportation in Nigeria.
