‘I Spent N4,100 Instead Of N28,000 On Petrol’ — Nigerians Excited As NNPCL’s CNG Station Begins Operation

Nigerians are excited about the cost-effectiveness of Compress Natural Gas (CNG) as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Gas Marketing Ltd begins dispensing autogas in Lagos.

“We are pleased to announce that Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is now available for purchase at our location, catering to both cars and trucks,” the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Femi Soneye, said while announcing the opening of the CNG filling station on Thursday.

Since the removal of fuel subsidies by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in May 2023, NNPC Limited has been spearheading the nation’s drive for energy security. Consequently, the government established a CNG Committee tasked with delivering CNG to Nigerians as an alternative fuel.

Fulfilling its mandate for energy security, NNPC Limited entered a partnership with NIPCO last year to set up 35 compressed natural gas (CNG) stations in Lagos and other parts of the country. On May 19, 2024, the NNPC Limited and partners commissioned three critical gas infrastructures as part of the initiative.

Furthermore, on May 30, 2024, NNPC Limited and Transit Gas Nigeria Limited (TGNL) delivered the 5.2 MMSCFD Compressed Natural Gas/Autogas Facility at Ilasamaja, Lagos, built through their partnership.

Oluwatosin Ibiwoye, a customer who patronized the CNG station in Lagos, expressed delight, saying, “I do not have to queue for PMS. I do not bother my head with PMS price has gone up or down.

“It has been peace of mind all the time. What I used N28,000 PMS to cover, now, I used N4100 to cover it.”

Francis Okonya, a truck driver, testified to the environmental benefits of CNG, stating, “CNG is much better because the price is very minute compared to diesel and petrol. It does not affect anybody. This does have a single spoke and that is why it is better than diesel and PMS.

“It is encouraging for everybody to use CNG.”

A taxi driver from Ijebode, Olusola Onisesi, argued that CNG is more economical compared to diesel and PMS.

The driver said, “I got CNG here, travel to and returned and it did not finish. I also tried it again. I went to Abeokuta with it and came back and it did not finish.”