- Babachir Lawal doubts the viability of CNG vehicles in Nigeria without substantial government infrastructure, stressing the need for many gas stations
- Lawal criticized the government’s approach, arguing they should build the infrastructure first to ensure CNG vehicle reliability and efficiency
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr Babachir Lawal, has expressed scepticism about the viability of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles in Nigeria without substantial government infrastructure support.
In an interview on Daily Politics, a Trust TV program, Lawal emphasized that the federal government must establish a comprehensive framework to ensure the functionality of CNG vehicles. Without this, he warned, the initiative could lead to significant issues.
President Bola Tinubu recently instructed Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to convert all petrol or diesel-powered vehicles and generators to CNG. According to a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, this directive aims to enhance energy security, improve utility, and reduce high fuel costs. The government also plans to unveil CNG-powered buses on May 29, 2024, marking the administration’s first anniversary.
However, Lawal argued that the initiative is not sustainable and accused government officials of potentially mismanaging resources. He highlighted the need for numerous gas stations nationwide, especially along highways, to support CNG vehicles.
He stated, “They will display for who? The last time they gave money to the governors to buy buses, they called it palliatives, didn’t they? I’ve seen one bus in Adamawa, my state. I’ve seen one bus plying my Mubi-Yola route. I took note of the number. I saw one, I’ve not seen any other one. Sometimes, we go to provide solutions that don’t make sense.”
Lawal also shared a personal experience about the high cost of diesel for farm tractors, questioning the practicality of converting them to CNG without adequate gas supply infrastructure. He asked, “Where in Adamawa will I get the gas? Or where will I get it if I’m going to Abuja and run out of gas? Where will I get the gas from? So the infrastructure must be on the ground.”
He criticized the government’s approach, stating, “Typical government. They talk, talk grammar, and leave out the implementation, which should have seen the filling stations first. Let’s see the filling stations first. Let them be all over the place. He (Tinubu) is putting the cart before the horse. Let’s see the infrastructure for refilling the gas.”
Lawal underscored the necessity of a robust infrastructure network, noting that converting to CNG is impractical without readily accessible refilling stations. He cited examples of vehicles already using gas, such as Dangote trucks, which carry large cylinders and face challenges when they run out of gas in remote areas.
In conclusion, Lawal stressed that for CNG vehicles to succeed in Nigeria, the government must first focus on building the necessary infrastructure, including widespread gas stations, to ensure reliability and efficiency.