Policy Without Pathway is Just Paper: The Gap in the CNG Rollout
A policy is designed to elevate the economy, but its success lies entirely in its implementation. If the pathway is faulty, the citizens cannot feel the impact.
I am currently analyzing President Bola Tinubu’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative. While the vision is commendable, my research confirms that the implementation strategy is critically flawed, particularly in the South-South region. We have previously submitted technical proposals to the Office of the Presidential Initiative on CNG (Pi-CNG) and held series of meetings, yet we are still waiting to see those strategic discussions translate into action.
Yesterday, I read that Barr. Ismaeel Ahmed (CEO, Pi-CNG) signed a deal with Moniepoint and CREDICORP to roll out financing for 100,000 conversion kits in line with the President’s announcement.
While credit is good, as a researcher and operator in this sector, I must point out two critical gaps:
1. The “Affordability” Myth
Your new deal reportedly requires a 25% upfront payment. For a tricycle operator battling inflation, this is still too high. At Urban Corporate Development and Management Service Ltd, we are piloting a model with 0-5% upfront payment because we understand the grassroots reality. If a private company can de-risk this, the Federal Government can do better than 25%.
2. The “Chicken and Egg” Crisis (Infrastructure)
Let’s look at the data. If you divide the 100,000 kits across the 6 Geopolitical Zones, that is roughly 16,666 vehicles per zone. In the South-South, that means over 2,700 newly converted vehicles per State.
The Big Question: Where will they refuel?
There is virtually zero CNG infrastructure in Bayelsa and most of the South-South to service this volume. Deploying kits without stations is setting the users up for frustration, not relief.
My Counsel to the Pi-CNG Leadership:
To make your job lighter and the President’s vision sharper, I strongly suggest you revisit the Structural Implementation Pathway I recently submitted to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
That document outlines a Tripartite Funding Model (Local-State-Federal) to deploy Mobile Refueling Units alongside the kits. This ensures that when a Keke driver converts, he actually has gas to buy.
We all want the President to succeed. But for that to happen, appointees must make decisions based on field realities, not just boardroom signings.
Let’s get the implementation right.
Uyero Erarawewho
CEO, Urban Corporate Development and Management Service Ltd
