By Yemi Olakitan
The governments of Ogun State, Lagos State, and the Federal Government of Nigeria have all launched Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Mass Transit Buses to help mitigate the effects of subsidy removal in the country.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, expressed his optimism that CNG buses would revolutionize the entire transport sector, emphasizing that CNG technology and e-mobility offer better and more sustainable alternatives for transportation.
He stated, “The initiative was clearly anticipated because we knew that the regulation of the downstream sector was imminent and unavoidable. This has become very imperative considering the urgent need to provide a cleaner environment and to mitigate the effects of climate change, which we are all witnessing and primarily caused by the use of fossil fuels, predominantly diesel and petrol.”
“As your governor, I am extremely delighted that we are able to commence the implementation of this laudable initiative. I am proud to say that we are leading the way as the first state in the country to achieve this feat, thanks to a successful public-private sector partnership with our partner, Spiro, a company with a proven track record in deploying CNG in other parts of the West Africa sub-region,” Governor Abiodun added.
He highlighted that local mechanics, part of the conversion engineering, have undergone training, and conversion stations have been established in the three senatorial districts of the state, facilitating the rapid conversion of commercial and public mass transit buses and vehicles across the state.
Governor Abiodun further noted that this initiative would reduce the cost of transporting goods and services, providing training and job opportunities for thousands of technicians and mechanics in the state.
Additionally, the state government has established a gas filling station at Obada-Oko, with plans to provide necessary infrastructure for refueling the buses along the roads and terminals.
Abiodun expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support, underscoring that the state government is working closely with the federal government to execute the project.
Transportation, which involves the physical movement of goods and people, is a vital aspect of human society, impacting human satisfaction, mobility, information, and goods distribution.
In road transportation, two types of vehicle fuels are commonly used: conventional fuels and alternative vehicle fuels (AVFs).
Conventional fuels, such as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel, rely on fossil fuels for combustion.
In contrast, AVFs are more environmentally friendly and derive from non-petroleum sources, including electricity, high pour fuel oil (HPFO), liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), ethanol, hybrid energy, and solar power, among others.
Compressed natural gas (CNG) refers to natural gas compressed to extremely high pressure (200–300 bars) and occupying only 1% of its volume at standard atmospheric conditions.
It consists mainly of methane (CH4) and is suitable for various modes of transportation, including automobiles, vans, trucks, buses, railroads, and boats.
While its application to aircraft is still under development, CNG has gained traction in Edo and Lagos states in Nigeria and other African cities, primarily driven by the high cost of diesel and the elimination of fuel subsidies, resulting in increased CNG usage.
CNG adoption in Nigeria holds significant potential, with the possibility of saving up to N10 trillion annually.
For example, Abuja spends an average of N13.9 billion daily on automotive gas oil (AGO) but could save approximately N10.4 billion daily by transitioning to CNG.
Similarly, Lagos’ intra-city carriers, Lagbus and BRT, could save up to N11 billion daily by using CNG instead of N3.8 billion on PMS.
Converting to CNG could result in substantial savings of N28.72 billion daily, N861.6 billion monthly, and N10 trillion annually when compared to gasoline use.
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Babatunde Bakare, Managing Director of Nigeria Gas Company Limited (NGC), pointed out the commercial potential of CNG as an automotive fuel after the fuel subsidy removal in 2015.
At the time, there were 22.7 million natural gas vehicles worldwide, with countries like Iran, China, Pakistan, Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Colombia, and Uzbekistan leading the way in CNG usage.
To promote the use of alternative fuels like CNG, the Federal Ministry of Environment and legislators need to recognize the financial and ecological benefits and tap into Nigeria’s substantial automobile market.
This is essential in the context of environmental concerns related to global warming and climate change.
CNG vehicles consistently perform well in emissions tests, emitting lower levels of NOx and COx, which are the principal greenhouse gases responsible for climate change.
Furthermore, CNG’s affordability, low volatility, and minimal environmental impact make it a compelling choice. Unlike gasoline or diesel, CNG poses no direct risk of contaminating land or water in case of a leak.
Additionally, CNG enhances engine longevity, reduces maintenance costs, and discourages fuel theft, thereby offering a range of advantages for both consumers and the environment.
Rajesh Prabhu, General Manager of Natural Gas at Green Gas Limited, highlighted the cost-effectiveness of CNG compared to gasoline, citing significant savings for vehicle owners.
He emphasized that CNG was a clean, safe, and locally sourced energy alternative that could lead to a reduction in harmful vehicular emissions while driving economic progress.
Prabhu also discussed the affordability of CNG, which can reduce fuel costs by 50% for car owners.
He pointed out that using CNG to power buses, trucks, and trains can result in cost savings of approximately 100% compared to diesel, aligning with practices adopted by fleet managers in developed nations.
While businesses in Nigeria have invested in captive power plants to ensure continuous production amid unreliable public power supply, the maintenance of these plants can be costly. The use of CNG offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution.
In Benin City and the surrounding areas of Ibafo, approximately 4,000 CNG-powered vehicles and 25 Edo state buses are currently in operation.
The construction of CNG stations along major expressways, such as the Benin-Lagos, Benin-Warri, and Benin-Asaba routes, is set to be completed by the end of 2016.
Mr. Femi Gbolahan, a teacher and public administrator, emphasized the importance of CNG adoption in Nigeria, particularly in the context of fuel subsidy removal.
He noted that CNG adoption could alleviate the financial burden on Nigerians, making life more manageable.
He called for the federal government’s active support to implement CNG adoption across all levels.
Mutiu Adepoju, a transporter, shared a similar sentiment, stating that CNG adoption is not only environmentally friendly but also cost-effective for ordinary Nigerians.
He called on the government to scale up the adoption of CNG, given the abundant natural gas resources in the country.
Yinka Ishola, a motorcycle rider, expressed disappointment that the government did not establish CNG infrastructure before removing fuel subsidies, especially when the technology was available.
He highlighted the significant environmental benefits of CNG adoption and stressed the government’s responsibility in this regard.
