By Prosper Okoye
Commercial drivers using Compressed Natural Gas are yet to pass on cheaper fares to passengers despite buying the product at a lower cost than petrol, an official of the Presidential Initiative on CNG and EV said Thursday, blaming the gap on weak competition among CNG-powered operators.
Engr. Zayyanu Tambari, the initiative’s Chief Compliance Officer, also dismissed fears that CNG cylinders installed in vehicle trunks pose an explosion risk, speaking on the sidelines of the 2026 Nigeria Gas Safety Conference in Abuja.
He said the pricing gap would narrow as more drivers adopt CNG, arguing that greater competition among operators would eventually drive fares down.
“This is a teething problem, and basically the desire of the drivers to maximize profit,” he said.
Tambari described the conference as a platform to deepen collaboration between government and private stakeholders in strengthening Nigeria’s gas sector.
On safety, he said properly certified CNG cylinders are built to withstand pressures far beyond operating levels.
“If a cylinder is licensed by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, then it is well made,” he said. “The gas is designed for 220 bar of pressure, and the cylinders are designed to take more pressure, up to 300 bar.”
He added that fluctuations in temperature do not pose an explosion risk inside a vehicle’s trunk.
Tambari also offered guidance on spotting counterfeit cylinders, noting that substandard products are often identifiable by their construction.
“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.”
