By Patrick Idowu
Alfa Designs Nigeria Ltd. says it is stepping up efforts to make Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), more accessible by deploying portable storage systems known as cascades to key locations across the country.
The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Quadri Fatai, revealed the plan during an interview in Abuja.
He explained that the move aims to tackle the scarcity of CNG and bring the product closer to end users.
CNG cascades are clusters of high-pressure cylinders used to store and transport gas efficiently.
According to Fatai, the company has already acquired an initial set of ten units, which will be deployed after certification by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and its third-party inspection partners.
To support the rollout, Alfa Designs will also introduce a fully CNG-powered distribution truck equipped with a self-loader to deliver the cascades to filling stations and other partner outlets.
“We are deploying cascades with a storage capacity of about 450 kilograms and a total weight of three tonnes,” Fatai said. “These will be stationed at approved outlets to allow motorists easy access to refill their vehicles.”
He identified logistics and infrastructure limitations as the main barriers to CNG expansion, noting that CNG requires much thicker and heavier cylinders than LPG, due to the higher pressure involved.
Fatai warned against the use of substandard equipment, stressing the dangers posed by locally fabricated cylinders.
“A poorly made four-bar gas cylinder can cause damage similar to a grenade,” he cautioned.
He called for stronger regulatory oversight from standards bodies and encouraged support for companies building large-scale CNG infrastructure, including gas pipelines and mother stations.
With its new initiative, Alfa Designs hopes to ease distribution, improve access, and drive wider adoption of CNG across Nigeria.
