Expert Insists on Renewable Energy for Transportation, Kicks against CNG Vehicles

Agnes Ekebuike

Following the recent launch of 30 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles by the federal government for commercial transportation system in Nigeria in other to reduce the high cost of transportation in the country, climate change expert, Air Vice Marshal Akugbe Iyamu (rtd), has said Electric Vehicles (EVs) remain the best option for Nigeria.

Iyamu, who spoke recently on ARISE NEWS Channels, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, said although CNG vehicles would be more cost effective in terms of usage and maintenance, he however said they come with their own challenges.

“CNG vehicles are cost effective, but I strongly believe that EVs are better options because of the risks associated with CNG vehicles. The world is moving towards EV vehicles. We should therefore not build our policies around our inadequacies and constraints. We must have a focus in order to move faster. It is projected that CNG vehicles can bring down the cost of transportation by 60 per cent, but anything that is cheap has its consequences, and the consequences of CNG vehicles are the risk of compressing its original volume that could lead to explosion and fire outbreak, and it comes with some health and safety risks. After compression and burning, it emits nano-carbon, which has environmental risk that could cause cancer to humans,” Iyamu said.

According to Iyamu, while Nigeria is not yet fully equipped for a large-scale transition to CNG, the nation is moving in that direction. He emphasised the critical relationship between energy, transportation, and national security, which drives countries to continually seek effective and efficient energy solutions.

“Nigeria holds the largest natural gas reserves in sub-Saharan Africa and the second largest fossil fuel reserves after Libya. This presents us with a unique opportunity,” Iyamu stated. He however explained that the energy access crisis in Africa still remained, where 640 million people lack electricity, and 970 million have no access to gas.

Explaining the basics of CNG, Iyamu noted that it involves compressing natural gas (primarily butane) to about one per cent of its original volume. According to him, CNG vehicles are viable, cost effective and the cheapest option available for transitioning away from conventional fuel, but pointed out that many countries of the world are in different stages of transitioning to cleaner energy, an urgency that increased following the COP28 climate conference.

“However, African countries like Nigeria argue for the right to use their fossil fuel resources to fund their development before fully transitioning to alternative energy sources, Iyamu said, adding that CNG technology, though not new, has been in use since World War I.

“Countries like Pakistan and Iran, with Iran boasting of four million CNG-powered vehicles, demonstrate its viability. If Nigeria can mainstream the necessary technology and financing, CNG could be a practical interim solution for Nigeria,” Iyamu said.

He referenced the 2020 natural gas programme launched by the former president, which aimed to convert one million vehicles for CNG use, but stressed that the global energy shift is leaning towards renewable and alternative energy sources.

Iyamu warned that Nigeria must not base its energy policies solely on current constraints but should focus on long-term sustainability.

“Africa having less than five per cent penetration in renewable energy, yet the continent holds untapped resources like Lithium, valued at nearly $1 trillion, speaks volume of Africa’s potential in renewable energy,” Iyamu said.

Asked if Nigeria will be able to sustain CNG enabled vehicles that use gas, when the country is yet to meet the needs of Nigerians in the area of cocking gas, Iyamu said Nigerian gas and fossil fuel are the most expensive in the world, adding that Nigeria will need massive investment to achieve the right quantity of gas that will drive CNG vehicles. According to him, the sustenance of CNG vehicles is the availability of gas. He however said Nigeria has enough crude oil to refine petroleum products like petrol, kerosene and gas, but explained that Nigeria lacks the right technology to refine the products hence the country continues to export crude oil and import petrol, kerosene and gas.