Nigerians Yet to Benefit from Cheaper Transport Fares Despite Lower CNG Costs — PCNGI Official

By Prosper Okoye

Chief Compliance Officer of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), Engr. Zayyanu Tambari, has said Nigerians are yet to benefit from lower transport fares despite commercial drivers purchasing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) at a significantly lower cost than petrol.
Tambari made the disclosure on Thursday on the sidelines of the 2026 Nigeria Gas Safety Conference in Abuja. He attributed the continued high transport fares to limited competition among operators using CNG-powered vehicles, saying the market has not yet reached the level where lower operating costs translate into lower fares for commuters.
According to him, the current situation is largely driven by operators seeking to maximize profits during the early stages of CNG adoption.
“This is a teething problem, and basically the desire of the drivers to maximize profit,” he said.
Tambari expressed confidence that transport fares would gradually decline as more commercial drivers convert their vehicles to CNG, creating stronger competition within the sector.
He argued that increased adoption of CNG-powered vehicles would eventually compel operators to reduce fares in order to remain competitive, allowing commuters to benefit from the lower cost of the alternative fuel.
Speaking on the significance of the conference, Tambari described it as an important platform for strengthening collaboration between government institutions, regulators, and private sector stakeholders to promote safety standards and accelerate the development of Nigeria’s gas industry.
Addressing public concerns over the safety of CNG cylinders installed in vehicle trunks, Tambari dismissed fears that they pose an explosion risk when properly certified and installed.
He explained that CNG cylinders approved by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) are manufactured to withstand pressures well above their normal operating limits.
“If a cylinder is licensed by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, then it is well made,” “The gas is designed for 220 bar of pressure, and the cylinders are designed to take more pressure, up to 300 bar.”he said.
He further noted that changes in ambient temperature or heat inside a vehicle’s trunk do not create conditions that would cause certified CNG cylinders to explode, stressing that they are engineered with substantial safety margins.
Tambari also advised motorists to remain vigilant against counterfeit or substandard cylinders, warning that poorly manufactured products pose the greatest safety risk.
According to him, fake cylinders can often be identified by visible welding marks and unusually thick construction, unlike genuine cylinders, which are produced as seamless units to meet internationally accepted safety standards.
“When you see those cylinders, they are usually so thick and have welded parts,” he said. “Once you see those signs, it is a flag that something is wrong with the cylinder.”he said.