In the bustling streets of Lagos and Abuja, a quiet shift is underway.
More commercial drivers are converting their vehicles from petrol to CNG, drawn by the promise of lower operating costs.
Yet, for commuters hoping for cheaper fares, the reality remains unchanged—transport costs are still high, and relief feels distant.
Government’s Effort To Reduce Transport Costs
When President Bola Tinubu removed the fuel subsidy, petrol prices soared by over 300 per cent, forcing transport fares to double in some areas.
To ease the burden, the government launched the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi) and promised cheaper fares through widespread CNG adoption.
However, months later, fares remain high.
Drivers Struggle To Lower Fares
Segue Adekanbi, a Lagos driver, admits CNG is cheaper—spending ₦5,000 daily instead of ₦35,000 on petrol—yet he cannot lower fares.
“Drivers at the park have set fixed prices.
Until more of us convert, nothing will change,” he explains.
Fear And Misinformation Slow Adoption
Despite cost savings, many drivers hesitate because they fear CNG could damage engines or explode.
However, a conversion centre supervisor, Chuks Davidson, refutes these claims and assures that CNG is safer than petrol.
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Still, mechanical concerns persist since some drivers uninstall their CNG systems after experiencing issues.
Financial And Structural Barriers
Financial and structural barriers also slow adoption.
Many drivers struggle to locate conversion centres or afford installation costs.
Additionally, Tunde Adetula believes the absence of leadership in his garage has stalled collective conversion efforts.
Limited Impact Of Government Initiatives
Although the government deployed free CNG buses in Abuja, its impact remains limited.
“Some vehicles have switched, but fares still remain high,” says civil servant Salahu Ibrahim.
Will Transport Fares Ever Drop?
Until more drivers adopt CNG, transport fares will likely remain unchanged.
For now, commuters in Lagos and Abuja continue to bear the financial strain while waiting for the government’s promise of relief to become reality.
