Frustration in FCT as severe CNG scarcity hits Abuja motorists
The Nigerian government’s push to position Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a cheaper, cleaner alternative to petrol is facing a critical hurdle in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where severe gas shortages and inadequate infrastructure have left motorists stranded for days.
While commercial drivers and private vehicle owners have overwhelmingly embraced the initiative to cushion the post-petrol subsidy economic shock, operational bottlenecks are now threatening to derail the programme’s success.
READ ALSO: Nigerian motorists can choose between N1000/litre petrol and N200/meter CNG – Tinubu
A survey across major CNG refuelling hubs in Abuja revealed gridlocks stretching several kilometres. Disgruntled drivers told NigerianSketch they now spend anywhere from 17 hours to three full days queued up just to refill their tanks.
High savings, crippled livelihoods
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) was launched in 2023 following the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. Despite thousands converting their vehicles to take advantage of the cost savings, supply chain development has lagged far behind the surging demand.
Commercial driver Samson Abdul, encountered at a dispensing station in Kubwa, described the operational reality as unsustainable despite the economic perks.
“When I started using CNG, I discovered it lasts much longer than petrol. I would rather wait for CNG than buy petrol because the savings are significant,” Abdul noted.
However, after arriving at 5 a.m. the previous day, he remained stranded 17 hours later. “We were told a supply truck was coming. When it finally arrived, they still couldn’t sell due to operational issues. We slept here. Abuja does not have enough CNG stations—we shouldn’t be suffering like this in the nation’s capital.,” he told Daily Trust
For daily earners, the downtime translates directly into financial distress. Commercial motorcyclist Ogumorade Matseo lamented that waiting in line halts his income entirely.
“My family depends on what I earn daily. When I spend three days in a queue, there is no income,” Matseo said. “The stations are there, but they have nothing to dispense.”
Unmatched cost efficiency
Despite the gridlock, motorists unanimously agree that CNG’s cost efficiency remains unmatched compared to petrol, which has surged over 500 percent since subsidy removal.
Drivers report that ₦5,000 worth of CNG offers mileage equivalent to roughly ₦25,000 spent on conventional petrol.
Taxi operator Azor Kalu stated, “If I spend ₦30,000 on petrol, I hardly make a profit. But with CNG, I spend much less and still make reasonable returns.”
However, pricing disparities have begun creeping into the unregulated retail market. Motorist Emmanuel reported that retail outlets sell anywhere between ₦380/kg and ₦550/kg, calling on authorities to step in with price regulation and better queue management to curb sharp practices.
Supply bottlenecks and policy risks
Industry observers and drivers attribute the current crisis to structural weaknesses in the supply chain.
Local driver Lawal Abdelaziz pointed to the FCT’s reliance on single-source gas logistics.
“Most stations depend on gas coming from Ajaokuta. Once there is maintenance or disruption there, supply to Abuja fails. Operators must diversify supply sources while the government encourages more private investment,” Abdelaziz explained.
Other motorists, including taxi driver Moses Yoka, warned that unless security is improved, queues are managed transparently, and dispensing pumps are expanded, the operational nightmare will deter future adopters from transitioning to cleaner energy.
To prevent the collapse of the PCNGI vision in the FCT, residents and transport union members are urging the Federal Government, energy regulators, and private investors to immediately fast-track approvals for new CNG stations across suburban Abuja, implement regulation to prevent arbitrary price hikes by private operators, increase the number of dispensing pumps per station to boost turnover speed, and diversify regional gas supply routes to mitigate disruptions from the primary Ajaokuta feed.
Until supply capacities align with market demand, long queues and lost working hours will continue to undermine what was billed as Nigeria’s most promising energy alternative.
