Low Infrastructure Stalls Petrol-to-CNG Conversion Initiative

Low infrastructure availability is currently stalling the federal government’s move to convert automobiles from petrol to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as alternative fuel in the country, it was learnt.

While transition is imminent, the rate of conversion is slow owing to the high cost of conversion from petrol to CNG fuel and the scarce infrastructure and kits for such conversion.

Data obtained by our correspondent shows that, conversion of petrol vehicles of 1.6 litre engine could cost between N300,000 and N400,000 which has risen to close to N1 million due to exchange rate hikes while tricycles with 4 Stroke Engine will cost between N100,000 to N200,000. Also, lorries and vans may cost as high 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 kilometre which saves the owner 40 per cent, while a tricycle consumes N10 per kilometre with savings of between 50-75 per cent against petrol while a converted truck consumes N360 per kilometre.

The document suggests a palliative package of N200 billion to support conversion of one million vehicles, N200 billion to convert two million tricycles and about N250 billion for five million power generating sets.

The data from the Nigeria LPG Association (NLPGA), provides cost differentials between a gas engine truck and a diesel engine truck as well as conversion costs for other categories of petrol engines.
President Bola Tinubu, had earlier joined the ongoing campaign by the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG) when he charged Nigerians to embrace the CNG because it had come to stay.

However, the national president of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Yusuf Lawal Othman said, the dearth of infrastructure is causing a major glitch in the implementation.
Othman, who spoke to our Correspondent on the association’s support towards the project said, the initial intervention promised by government to facilitate members’ conversion with donated kits is yet to meet up with the promised number.

He said, government had promised to make available 100 free kits per state and from the calculation his association is expecting about 3,000 kits which have not been completely delivered. Although he praised the initiative, the project is not adequately supported by the needed infrastructure and funding.

According to him, refilling outlets are almost non-existent and there is no proper sensitisation as well as investment in infrastructure to assure motorists of a proper and sustainable supply chain.

Othman, also added his voice to rising safety concerns which is causing ripple among the public. He said, the recent explosion involving a CNG vehicle in Benin, Edo State calls for caution and sustained enlightenment among the public as to the danger of patronising untrained technicians.

The Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI), on its part, expressed concern over an incident involving an illegally modified vehicle at a NIPCO CNG Station in Benin City on October 16, 2024. The agency, in a message, sympathised with those injured and are relieved that no lives were lost. An investigation reveals the cylinder was improperly welded and not approved for CNG use. The police and regulatory authorities are conducting a thorough inquiry, and we are collaborating with them.

This incident underscores the importance of the upcoming Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System, which aims to enhance safety in the CNG ecosystem. We urge all stakeholders to support this regulatory initiative and ensure compliance.