Borno motorists embrace CNG to cut rising fuel costs

Some motorists in Maiduguri, Borno, on Friday, said they had embraced Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative to petrol amid rising fuel prices and increasing transportation costs.

The development is attracting vehicle owners seeking to reduce daily fuel expenses, although high conversion costs, limited refuelling facilities and accessibility challenges are slowing wider adoption.

Petrol currently sells between N1,470 and N1,500 per litre in Maiduguri, prompting motorists to explore cheaper alternatives to sustain their businesses and meet personal transportation needs.

A CNG conversion and vocational training centre established in Auno, on the outskirts of Maiduguri, is providing conversion services while training young people in the technology.

Zakariya Ahmad, Coordinator of the Vocational Training Centre, Muna, Maiduguri, said interest in the initiative was growing, with more private cars converted than commercial tricycles.

He said the centre was also training young people in vehicle conversion to gas to develop local expertise and support the growing adoption of CNG.

One of the beneficiaries, Garba Mohammed, who operates a solar energy and CCTV installation business, said switching to CNG had significantly reduced his operational expenses.

Mohammed said he previously spent about N20,000 daily on petrol but now spends between N7,000 and N8,000 on gas, which lasts longer.

He added that he had travelled to Kano and returned without experiencing any difficulty with his gas-powered vehicle.

Similarly, Bako Mukhtar, a commercial tricycle operator, said he converted his vehicle to CNG because rising petrol expenses were affecting his daily earnings.

Mukhtar, however, identified the location of the refuelling station in Auno as a major challenge, adding that his tricycle did not respond as quickly as when running on petrol.

He said the conversion cost, which exceeded N80,000 for his tricycle, remained another concern for motorists considering the alternative.

Meanwhile, Yahya Goni, an instructor at the CNG Centre, said the cost of converting some vehicles had reduced from about N750,000 to N450,000.

He, however, identified delays in the supply of conversion kits and gas cylinders as major challenges facing the centre and its operations.

Jibrin Ibrahim, Head of Technical and Training at the Vocational Centre, Maiduguri, said although motorists were embracing CNG because of its affordability, its long-term effects on vehicle engines remained uncertain.

He emphasised the importance of proper technical guidance and regular maintenance to ensure the safe and efficient use of gas-powered vehicles.

Ibrahim called for more refuelling stations within Maiduguri, affordable conversion services and regular supplies of equipment to encourage wider adoption of CNG.

The motorists said improved accessibility would enable more residents to benefit from the cheaper alternative, reduce transportation costs and ease the financial burden of rising fuel prices.