Kogi to Get More CNG Stations as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Secures FG Support

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has successfully obtained a commitment from the Federal Government to establish additional Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) filling stations in Kogi State. This development comes as a response to the acute shortage of CNG, which has been affecting commercial transport operators in the state. Commercial tricycle operators in Kogi Central had complained about the scarcity of CNG, which has led to long queues at the only available CNG station, resulting in lost productive hours and reduced earnings. The operators stated that the lone facility could no longer meet the growing demand from commercial riders who have adopted the Federal Government's clean energy programme. Following the complaints, Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged with the leadership of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative to find a lasting solution. She discussed the matter with the Chairman of the initiative, Ismaeel Ahmed, who assured her that efforts were underway to establish more CNG stations across Kogi State. According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, 'My dear friend, Ismaeel Ahmed, who chairs the Presidential CNG Initiative, has assured me that his office is currently facilitating the establishment of several CNG stations across Kogi State. This will help bridge the supply gap and address the current scarcity.' Confirming the development, Ahmed said arrangements were being finalised to expand CNG infrastructure in the state through partnerships with private investors. He noted that Kogi's strategic position in Nigeria's gas value chain and its location along major transportation routes made it a priority destination for investment. The Federal Government has continued to promote the adoption of CNG as a cheaper and cleaner alternative to petrol through the Presidential CNG Initiative, launched as part of measures to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal and reduce transportation costs. Residents and transport operators have welcomed the planned expansion, expressing optimism that additional stations would ease supply challenges and improve access to CNG across the state.