CNG Cheaper, But Fares Stay High – Official Says

PROSPER OKOYE 

Commercial drivers using Compressed Natural Gas are yet to reflect the lower cost of CNG in passenger fares, even though the alternative fuel currently sells below petrol prices. An official of the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles said this on Thursday, noting that the gap between fuel cost and transport fares remains wide for most commuters.

 

Engr. Zayyanu Tambari, the initiative’s Chief Compliance Officer, linked the trend to weak competition among operators who have already converted their vehicles to CNG. He explained that without enough CNG-powered vehicles on the same routes, there is little pressure on drivers to reduce fares despite their savings on fuel.

 

Tambari spoke on the sidelines of the 2026 Nigeria Gas Safety Conference in Abuja, where government officials, regulators, and private sector players gathered to review adoption, compliance, and safety in Nigeria’s gas sector. The event provided a platform to address both operational and public concerns.

 

He described the current fare situation as a temporary challenge tied to market behaviour. According to him, many drivers are choosing to maximize profit in the early phase of CNG adoption before adjusting their pricing to match the lower fuel expense.

 

The official was optimistic that the situation will change as more commercial vehicles switch to CNG. He argued that increased adoption will create competition among operators on popular routes, and that competition will eventually force fares down to a level that reflects the cheaper fuel.

 

Tambari also used the conference to highlight the need for stronger collaboration between government agencies and private stakeholders. He said such partnerships are critical to expanding infrastructure, improving compliance, and building public confidence in gas-powered transportation.

 

On safety, he addressed public fears about the risk of CNG cylinder explosions. He said cylinders that meet regulatory standards are designed and tested to operate safely under pressure levels far higher than what is required in daily use.

 

He noted that approved CNG cylinders carry certification from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria. According to him, while CNG systems are designed to work at 220 bar of pressure, certified cylinders are built to withstand up to 300 bar, providing a significant safety margin.

 

Tambari added that normal temperature changes inside a vehicle trunk do not pose an explosion risk for properly installed and certified cylinders. He stressed that most safety concerns arise when vehicles use uncertified or poorly installed equipment.

 

He advised vehicle owners and fleet operators to be careful when purchasing cylinders and to avoid substandard products in the market. He said fake or inferior cylinders are often easy to identify if buyers know what to look for.

The official pointed to construction quality as a key warning sign. He said counterfeit cylinders are typically thicker than standard models and often show visible welded joints, which are not present in properly manufactured units.

 

In conclusion, the initiative maintains that CNG remains a viable path to cheaper transport and cleaner energy for Nigeria. Tambari said the benefits will become clearer to commuters once safety standards are strictly enforced and more operators enter the market to drive competition on fares.