FCT motorists lament CNG scarcity as FG enforces cheaper transport fares

Nigerians may not enjoy cheaper transportation costs from the President Bola Tinubu’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative due to scarcity of the product across Nigeria, rising cost of vehicle spare parts, and other technical challenges, motorists said yesterday as the Federal Government begins enforcement of price reduction across motor parks.

The Federal Government, through the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PICNG), stormed parks in Abuja on Friday, saying motorists must reduce transport fares for vehicles converted to run on CNG.

But most motorists insisted that it would be difficult for transportation costs to come down, as most vehicles are yet to be converted, while those that have been converted are unable to buy CNG, as others are struggling with their engines after conversion.

Speaking at the Area 1 Motor Park in Abuja, Regional CNG Expansion Coordinator in charge of the North, David Idakwo, said prices of transportation are expected to drop by 40 per cent across routes serviced by vehicles converted to CNG through a collaboration between the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI) and the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

“In collaboration with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), we have achieved a 40 per cent fare reduction across major routes,” Idakwo said.

He noted that over 50 per cent of the park’s vehicles have already been converted to CNG, with ongoing efforts to convert more.

According to him, a task force comprising union officials and PICNG representatives has been deployed to monitor compliance, as he encouraged passengers to report violations via customer service lines or directly to park authorities.

Secretary of the NURTW Garki Branch, Ibrahim Jibrin, confirmed the union’s support, stating that fare tags have been placed on converted vehicles and enforcement mechanisms are active.

While the government said it is working with private investors to expand CNG refuelling infrastructure, with 10 stations already operational in the FCT and more expected soon, most motorists at the park expressed concerns over the government’s plans.

A motorist, Ibrahim Officer, said that while most of the intra-city vehicles across the Federal Capital Territory are Volkswagen Golfs, the government has not extended conversations to them.

“Out of hundreds of vehicles here, about 80 per cent are Golfs. And the issue is that these Golf vehicles don’t yet have the appropriate kits for conversion,” he said.

He explained that many drivers are willing to switch but are constrained by cost.

Despite its promise of lower running costs, a motorist, Charles Okadigbo, said there is poor availability and high maintenance costs.

He said that while CNG is economical, the lack of consistent supply remains a major hurdle.

“Most times I wake up at 4 AM and go to three different stations or more. Most times I won’t find CNG and still resort to fuel,” Okadigbo said.

While the government is claiming that over 50 per cent of vehicles have been converted, he noted that only 5 out of 50 drivers use CNG.