Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has successfully secured a commitment from the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative to establish more Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) filling stations in Kogi State. This initiative comes in response to pressing complaints from commercial transport operators, particularly tricycle operators under the Kogi Central Tricycle Network, regarding severe gas shortages that have disrupted their operations and heightened challenges for commuters.

The singular CNG station currently serving the area has struggled to meet the rising demand, leading to extensive queues and lost productivity, as operators have increasingly adopted the Federal Government’s clean energy programme. The tricycle operators have labeled this scarcity as a critical issue requiring immediate governmental intervention.

In light of these pressing concerns, Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged with Ismaeel Ahmed, Chairman of the Presidential CNG Initiative, who provided assurances that efforts are underway to expand the CNG network across Kogi State. He emphasized the importance of Kogi’s strategic location in Nigeria’s gas value chain, particularly due to the presence of the Ajaokuta gas hub and its status as a key transit corridor.

Plans are being finalized for partnerships with private investors to further enhance CNG infrastructure in the state. Ahmed confirmed that the enhanced distribution framework will bring additional stations along major transportation routes, thus addressing the current gas supply deficit.

The Federal Government’s promotion of CNG is part of a broader strategy to provide a more affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to petrol, especially in the wake of fuel subsidy removal aimed at alleviating transportation costs. Kogi State residents and transport operators have expressed optimism about these developments, hopeful that new stations will alleviate supply issues and improve overall access to CNG throughout the region.