Economy
Motorists Lament Inadequate Infrastructure, Frustrating Queues: CNG
Motorists Lament Inadequate Infrastructure, Frustrating Queues: CNG
Motorists lament inadequate infrastructure, frustrating queues: CNG. Some motorists who spoke to journalists blamed the marketers for not putting enough infrastructure in place to dispense CNG.
As more motorists key into Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to run their vehicles, the search for the product has become frustrating, given the inadequate infrastructure by marketers.
A correspondent who went around Abuja reports that motorists were seen queuing for endless hours for CNG.
The introduction of CNG is about chasing a cleaner, cheaper, and sustainable energy path, but Nigerians have raised concerns that the rapid expansion of CNG infrastructure should have been envisaged.
Some motorists who spoke to journalists blamed the marketers for not putting enough infrastructure in place to dispense CNG, urging the government to mandate them to do so.
One of the motorists, Olakunle Ajayi, said he was in the queue for six hours before he could buy, adding that he joined the queue around 9:00 a.m. at the NNPC Zone 1 retail outlet and was able to get a refill around 3:00 p.m.
“Something should be done urgently; otherwise, this initiative will be dead before the end of the year,” he said.
Sylvester Abua, another motorist, said he was an ardent user of CNG due to its benefits of being a cleaner energy, low combustion rate, and affordability. However, he regretted the current challenge, which was gradually eroding its advantages.
“The government should help us to get more supply by allowing people who are willing to invest through granting of waivers for more marketers to come on board.
“I also want the government to ensure that it sets up a mechanism to monitor the sales and prices by the retailers to the end users. This will regulate their activities, excesses, and foster guidelines to operate,” he said.
Another motorist, who only gave his name as Ehis, said it was difficult to comprehend that there was an increase in price two weeks ago, yet the product was still difficult to get.
“Initially, we bought at N230 for one standard cubic metre (SCM), but it was increased to N380 for one SCM; that is, an additional N150.
“So, why is it still difficult to get that we will have to queue for hours before we can buy?” he asked.
Mr Ehis called on the government and the CNG marketers to use the opportunity of the increase in price to spread infrastructure to ease the suffering of motorists who saw the product as an alternative fuel.
Ezekiel Manah, who expressed disappointment over the situation and decried the acute scarcity of CNG filling stations, said the aim of converting his car was defeated because of the paucity of refilling stations in the FCT and beyond.
A CNG marketer said his colleagues are finding it difficult to invest in the sector due to low profit margins.
According to the marketer, some of them started the business, but immediately discovered that N230 being charged per standard cubic metre before was not profitable; they stopped, because they didn’t want to run at a loss.
Motorists Lament Inadequate Infrastructure, Frustrating Queues
However, the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) had emphasised that Nigeria is making progress in expanding the CNG infrastructure and investments across the country, adding that engineering feats take time.
Michael Oluwagbemi, the programme rector of P-CNGI, had said that with 100,000 vehicle count, the queues at CNG stations were naturally going to increase, because of such unprecedented increase (a fivefold increase in just one year)
Mr Oluwagbemi said this resulted from massive incentives provided by the administration and the breakthrough in awareness due to the economic benefits of the switch.
According to him, the government’s resolve and private ambition must meet in partnership to expand filling points far and wide, turning sparse oases into a lush landscape where CNG flows freely in a new era of sustainable motion.
The recent landmark deployment by Dangote Group, featuring 4,000 CNG-powered trucks, 100 virtual pipeline vehicles, and multiple daughter stations, is just one high-profile testament to the Initiative’s impact.
Eid-el-Fitr: NRC Sets To Run Three Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips Monday
Eid-el-Fitr: NRC sets to run three Lagos–Ibadan train trips Monday. He assured passengers of NRC’s continued commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient rail services.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Lagos by NRC chief public relations officer, Callistus Unyimadu.
He said the additional trip was in response to high passenger turnout during the Eid-el-Fitr travel period.
“The extra trip is aimed at easing passenger movement and providing more travel options for commuters returning after the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
“Under the schedule, departures from Lagos (Mobolaji Johnson Station, Ebute Metta) will be at 7.45 a.m., 1.40 p.m., and 4.00 p.m.
“From Ibadan (Obafemi Awolowo Station, Moniya), trains will depart at 8.00 a.m., 10.50 a.m., and 4.30 p.m.,” he said.
Mr Unyimadu assured passengers of NRC’s continued commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient rail services.
NRC Sets To Run Three Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips Monday
He advised travellers to arrive early, comply with ticketing and security procedures, and plan their journeys.
“The corporation appreciates the continued patronage of its services and wishes all passengers a safe and pleasant journey,” he added.
UBA, BII Sign Letter Of Intent To Explore Trade Finance Collaboration Across Africa
United Bank for Africa (UK) Limited (“UBA UK”) and British International Investment plc (“BII”), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, announced that they have signed a letter of intent to develop trade finance collaboration opportunities.
The proposed initiative aims to expand access to trade and working capital facilities for businesses operating across Africa.
Access to trade finance remains one of the most significant structural constraints on African trade. Businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, are frequently unable to secure letters of credit, guarantees, and supply chain finance on commercially viable terms, limiting their capacity to export and import competitively. This trade finance gap is estimated by the African Development Bank to be over USD 80 billion annually.
To help close this gap, UBA UK, the London subsidiary of UBA Group, Africa’s Global Bank, will leverage its deep relationships across the Group’s 20-country African network to originate and structure trade finance transactions. While BII, with a mandate to support productive, sustainable, and inclusive growth across Africa, can support transactions that might otherwise fall outside conventional commercial appetite.
“The signing of this letter with BII represents a landmark moment for UBA UK and for the UBA Group’s global ambitions. As the Group’s hub for Trade Operations, UBA UK is uniquely positioned to connect African businesses with the international financial system. Working alongside BII, we can extend that capability further — mobilising capital where it matters most and helping to close the trade finance gap that holds back so much African potential,” said Lok Mishra, Chief Executive Officer, UBA UK
“British International Investment is committed to catalysing private sector growth across Africa, and trade finance is a critical enabler of that growth. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with UBA Group, whose pan-African network and deep institutional relationships can help advance our ambition to expand access to trade and working capital finance, particularly in frontier markets,” Chris Chijiuitomi, Managing Director and Head of Africa
The announcement builds on growing momentum around intra-African trade facilitated by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which entered into force in 2021 and represents one of the world’s most significant trade integration initiatives. Both institutions have identified the operationalisation of AfCFTA as a priority catalyst for a trade finance facility, with UBA UK’s network across major AfCFTA economies offering a basis for supporting businesses navigating the emerging continental market.
This also complements the UK Government’s broader engagement with African economic development, including commitments made at the UK-Africa Investment Summit, and reinforces the City of London’s role as a leading international finance centre for Africa-focused capital mobilisation.
Future cooperation remains subject to further assessment, due diligence and the completion of internal approvals by both parties.
ABOUT UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA (UK) LIMITED
UBA UK is the London-based subsidiary of United Bank for Africa Plc, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions with operations across 20 African countries, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France, and the United Arab Emirates. UBA UK serves as the Group’s hub for Trade Operations, providing a comprehensive suite of trade finance, treasury, and correspondent banking services to institutional and corporate clients worldwide.
UBA
ABOUT UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA GROUP
United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group-wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting-edge technology.
ABOUT BRITISH INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT
British International Investment is the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor. The organisation invests in businesses in developing countries to improve people’s lives and help protect the planet. BII’s work targets the underlying causes of poverty and the climate crisis, helping countries break free from aid dependency for good.
Between 2022-2026, at least 30 per cent of BII’s total new commitments by value will be in climate finance. BII is also a founding member of the 2X Challenge which has raised over $33.6 billion to empower women’s economic development.
The company has investments in over 1,600 businesses across 66 countries and total net assets of £9.87 billion. For more information, visit: www.bii.co.uk | watch here. Follow British International Investment on LinkedIn, Bluesky and X.
Eid-el-Fitr: President Tinubu Felicitates Muslims, Urges Renewed Unity, Patriotism
Eid-el-Fitr: President Tinubu felicitates Muslims, urges renewed unity, patriotism. Mr Tinubu called on Muslims to reflect on the spiritual lessons of Ramadan.
The president urged them to renew commitment to national unity, peaceful coexistence, and service to humanity as they celebrate the festival across the country on Friday.
This is contained in a statement issued by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday in Abuja.
Mr Tinubu called on Muslims to reflect on the spiritual lessons of Ramadan, noting that the holy month teaches discipline, sacrifice, compassion, and devotion to God and humanity.
He said: “We have a lot to draw from the noble lessons of Ramadan, especially at a time like this.
“We must continue to abide by the virtues of piety, selflessness, perseverance, kindness and compassion beyond this period.”
The president emphasised the need for Nigerians to remain united across religious and ethnic lines, stressing that national cohesion remains vital for sustainable peace and development.
He urged Muslims to extend acts of kindness and charity to the less privileged, irrespective of religious or ethnic background, in line with the enduring values of Islam.
Mr Tinubu noted that such gestures would strengthen social bonds, promote inclusiveness, and reinforce the spirit of brotherhood that defines the Nigerian society.
The president also called on religious leaders to use the occasion to offer prayers for peace, stability, and economic prosperity across the country.
Tinubu
He expressed optimism that with collective efforts, Nigeria would overcome its challenges and achieve lasting progress for the benefit of all citizens.
Mr Tinubu wished Muslims a joyous celebration, praying that the blessings of Ramadan would bring renewed hope, strength, and guidance to individuals, families, and the nation.
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