Following the controversial removal of subsidy on petrol earlier in the year, Nigerians have been forced to struggle with increased transport fares, food items, and other essentials.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a speech earlier this year, revealed that his government would invest N100 billion in acquiring 3,000 20-seater buses powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). This is part of some palliatives the president aimed to use to cushion the effects of the petrol subsidy removal on Nigerians.
According to Tinubu, “these buses will be shared with major transportation companies in the states, using the intensity of travel per capital.”
In the same vein, according to the SA to the president on Special duties and domestic affairs, Toyin Subaru, “We are going to develop an app that will enable you locate where a CNG station is located. We should be able to buy gas for our cars at N230 per KG as against the cost of petrol which is N680 per litre,” he said.
The presidential aide said this would help every Nigerian save about two-thirds of their transport cost. He added that the federal government plans to have one million CNG vehicles on Nigerian roads by 2027.
According to the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), CNG suits petrol cars, tricycles, vans, and lorries — but not petrol generators.
As the CNG buses begin to roll out and start operations, here are some key facts you should know
– The Federal Government officially launched the CNG initiative on the 27th of October, 2023, handing over two CNG-fueled buses to the management of the State House.
– Running Vehicles on CNG would greatly reduce the ‘troubles’ encountered in importing fuel to the country.
– To utilize CNG in a vehicle, it is necessary to have either a CNG dedicated vehicle or a CNG bi-fuel vehicle. CNG exclusively powers a dedicated CNG vehicle, while a bi-fuel vehicle can run on gasoline and CNG fuel. If neither type of vehicle is available, a Certified CNG Installer would be required to install a CNG Conversion Kit for the vehicle if the vehicle is intended to be powered by CNG fuel instead of gasoline or diesel.
– CNG cars run quieter than petrol, diesel-powered cars. This would lead to less noise pollution.
– CNG would also cut down the hardly available foreign exchange expended in bringing in PMS for fueling vehicles
– Fueling CNG buses would cost N230 per kg against petrol sold at a higher price.
– Currently, there are seven conversion centres in Nigeria
. TheWitness
