Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir Lawal, is doubtful about the viability of introducing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles in Nigeria without sufficient government support.
News About Nigeria reports that the politician made his reservation known in a recent interview on Trust TV’s Daily Politics program.
Lawal stressed that the government must first establish the required infrastructure to facilitate the use of CNG vehicles, cautioning that failure to do so could lead to disastrous outcomes.
Lawal’s comments come in response to President Bola Tinubu’s directive for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to transition their petrol- or diesel-powered vehicles and generators to CNG.
The directive, aimed at enhancing energy security and reducing fuel costs, was announced by Tinubu’s Spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale.
However, Lawal criticized the sustainability of the initiative, alleging that it serves as a conduit for governors and other government officials to mismanage national resources.
He said there is need to establish gas stations nationwide, particularly along highways, to facilitate refueling for CNG vehicles.
Lawal cited his personal experience, stating, “I’ve seen one bus in my state, in Adamawa. I’ve seen one bus plying my Mubi-Yola. 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.”
He further emphasized the need for infrastructure, saying, “Typical government. They talk, they talk grammar, and they 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.”
Speaking on the challenges of refilling CNG vehicles, he said, “If I go buy a car or convert my car to CNG, and maybe run out of gas on my way, what do I do? Park the car and come back to Abuja with the cylinder on my head. So, there must be filling stations along the road.”
The Tinubu-led government plans to unveil CNG-powered buses on May 29, 2024, coinciding with the administration’s one-year anniversary.
