Critical stakeholders have highlighted two key factors capable of impinging on the country’s drive towards the adoption of compressed natural gas (CNG) as an alternative to premium motor spirit (PMS), also called petrol. Just recently, the Federal Government directed marketers to install CNG dispensing pumps to achieve a spiral growth pattern for the programme.
Although this directive is endorsed by indigenous gas stakeholders and seen as promising to reshape transportation, stimulate economic growth, and enhance environmental sustainability, others have taken a critical assessment where they have identified drawback tendencies along the path.
Much as the government sees this transformation as a central component in Nigeria’s energy strategy given its cost-effectiveness, the marketers responsible for promoting it have shared experiences that could hinder progress.
Following growing concerns over Nigerians’ efforts to adopt alternative automotive fuel, findings show that the current conversion statistics for various categories of vehicles from petrol to CNG have been described as outrageous and likely to complicate the government’s efforts in addressing the rising cost of petrol. Data shows that converting petrol vehicles with 1.6-litre engines could cost between N300,000 and N400,000, while tricycles with 4-stroke engines will cost between N100,000
and N200,000. Also, lorries and vans may cost as much as N1.8 million while 4-stroke petrol generator engines will cost about N90,000. But on the economic scale, a converted petrol vehicle can only consume N40 per kilometer, which saves the owner 40 per cent. In comparison, a tricycle consumes N10 per kilometer with savings of between 50-75 per cent against petrol, while a converted truck consumes N360 per kilometer.
