The ripple effects of the political tensions in some member states of the organization of petroleum exporting countries in Africa, the middle east and Europe caused major disruptions in the supply chains of petroleum products and unprecedented price hikes for these products around the globe.
The price hikes of liquified natural gas (LNG), premium motor spirit ( petrol ) and automotive gas oil (diesel) caused corresponding hikes in the public transportation fares , and in turn caused inflation in the prices of goods and services globally as industries and businesses transferred the burden. of operating costs to the consumers.
To mitigate the effects of inflation in many countries, the governments made policies to support cost saving, and cleaner energy alternatives for the transportation sector. One of such alternative is the adoption of electric powered vehicles. The challenge of electric vehicles is the huge cost of replacement of batteries or worse the fast drain on the batteries in temperate regions where car users need to use heating systems to cope with extreme cold temperatures. Also, the rise in demand for electric vehicles, places huge demands on public power grid, affecting the cost per unit for electricity for homes and industries as electric vehicles' charging stations create supply pressures on limited electricity available. The next alternative is the adoption of compressed natural gas as a low cost, alternative to petrol and diesel for mass transit, long haul trucks and industrial vehicles.
For the sake of our readers, it is important to explain the meaning of compressed natural gas ( CNG) and its benefits over the traditional petrol and diesel in vehicles.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), is natural gas under pressure which remains clear, odourless, and non-corrosive. It is also a cheaper, greener, and more efficient alternative to the traditional petrol and diesel fuels for vehicles. CNG is one fifth the price of gasoline, resulting in substantial savings in fuel costs.
• CNG reduces maintenance costs of vehicles since it contains no additives and burns cleanly leaving no by-products of combustion to contaminate vehicle spark plugs and engine oil.
• The combustion chamber parts of vehicles function at peak output for longer periods before requiring routine service. The engine oil also remains clean which minimises engine wear and requires less frequent changes.
• CNG is more environment friendly and CNG engines are much quieter due to the higher octane rating of CNG over gasoline.
• CNG produces less exhaust emissions and as a result, harmful emissions such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2 and nitrous oxide (N2O) are generally reduced by as much as 95% when compared to gasoline powered vehicles.
• CNG fuel systems are also sealed, which prevents any spill or evaporation losses.
Considering the huge savings on transportation cost per kilometer which will reflect directly on lower transportation fares for people, goods and services all over Nigeria, enhanced vehicle engine durability and climate friendliness of CNG as compared to Diesel and petrol, the ministry of innovation, science and technology has rolled out CNG CONVERSION CENTERS to help mass transit operators and haulage companies convert diesel and petrol powered vehicles to CNG compliant vehicles at the lowest cost in Abuja.
Under the PRESIDENTIAL INITIATIVE ON CNG, the ministry of innovation, science and technology is already working assiduously to complete multi zone CNG conversion centers in Nigeria , spread across the six geopolitical zones. Onsite training for engineers and technicians has commenced to equip the people with requisite skills to work in over 60 conversion centers across the six geopolitical regions of Nigeria. Additional CNG conversion centers are billed to be ready before the end of the year 2024, with commissioning of the centers set for first quarter of the year 2025.
CNG powered vehicles are the future of mass transit and long haulage to mitigate the high cost of petrol and diesel.
The representatives of various transport unions and executives of various companies cheered the honorable minister, chief Uche Nnaji as he unveiled , the newly established conversion center and test drove some of the vehicles converted to CNG powered vehicles at CNG conversion center in Abuja.
Once again, special thank you to the honorable minister of innovation, science and technology, Chief Uche Nnaji for standing up to the challenges to reposition Nigeria to utilize global best practices to lower transportation cost, lower maintenance cost for vehicles, encourage use of vast natural gas reserves of Nigeria as energy efficient alternative to PMS and AGO and achieve climate friendly mass transit systems.
Nigeria shall rise again
Bishop Chinedu Nwoye
