The Nigerian Presidency has moved to allay fears regarding the safety of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, following recent reports from Malaysia indicating plans to phase out CNG-powered vehicles due to safety concerns.
The local Malaysian news source, Free Malaysia Today, reported that Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke recently announced new policies that will prevent further registration of CNG-powered vehicles, set to take effect from July 1, 2025. Loke cited concerns over aging Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) tanks, which generally have a 15-year lifespan and require replacement to ensure public safety. Malaysia currently has around 44,383 CNG vehicles on the road, accounting for just 0.2% of the country’s vehicle fleet.
However, addressing the concerns that have followed Malaysia’s announcement, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, clarified that Malaysia’s phase-out plans primarily stem from issues with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), not CNG.
On his X handle, Onanuga explained, “Malaysia’s issue relates to the safety concerns around LPG, NOT CNG. Transport Minister Anthony Loke specifically noted that some car owners have modified their vehicles with LPG cylinders, which pose a significant safety risk.”
Onanuga further emphasized that Nigeria’s CNG program is more focused and sustainable, as it solely relies on CNG and excludes LPG due to the associated safety and cost concerns. Additionally, he noted that Malaysia’s CNG adoption has been limited, with only 0.2% of vehicles converted over the past 15 years, while countries like India, China, and Egypt have seen greater success in CNG implementation.
“Nigeria’s CNG program has a key advantage with plans to develop tank manufacturing capacity from year one, positioning us to avoid Malaysia’s challenges,” Onanuga stated, adding that while Malaysia opted to phase out due to tank replacement costs, Nigeria’s manufacturing capabilities would help sustain its CNG initiative.
https://x.com/woye1/status/1854842033447346314?t=qhX7Zo-UbRg9-V9dmozM9g&s=19
This clarification from the Presidency highlights Nigeria’s commitment to advancing its CNG initiative while addressing safety concerns, reassuring the public that the program is designed with a long-term, safety-focused approach distinct from Malaysia’s experience.
