Kogi Governor Akpoti‑Uduaghan Secures Federal Government Funding to Expand CNG Infrastructure in the State

• As PCNGI moves to end acute gas scarcity affecting commercial transport operators

Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan has secured a commitment from the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) to set up additional Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) filling stations across Kogi State, after growing complaints about severe gas shortages that have disrupted commercial transportation in the state.

The intervention followed concerns raised by commercial tricycle operators in the Kogi Central Senatorial District over the worsening scarcity of CNG. They blamed the situation on the inadequacy of the single filling station that currently serves the area, despite the increasing adoption of the federal government’s clean‑energy programme.

A statement issued by the senator’s media office on Monday noted that operators under the Kogi Central Tricycle Network said the shortage had led to long queues, loss of productive hours and mounting economic hardship for transporters and commuters alike.

The operators argued that the lone CNG facility could no longer meet the growing demand from commercial riders who had embraced the government’s transition to cleaner and cheaper energy sources.

A spokesperson for the group said the scarcity had become a major challenge across the district and urged authorities and political leaders to intervene urgently.

The public outcry drew the attention of Akpoti‑Uduaghan, who immediately engaged the leadership of the PCNGI to seek a lasting solution.

The senator disclosed that she had personally discussed the matter with PCNGI Chairman Mr. Ismaeel Ahmed and obtained assurances that efforts were already underway to facilitate the establishment of additional CNG stations across Kogi State.

She said the planned expansion would significantly improve access to CNG and help address the current supply gap confronting transport operators.

“My dear friend, Ismaeel Ahmed, who chairs the Presidential CNG Initiative, has assured me that his office is currently facilitating the establishment of a number of CNG stations across Kogi State. This will help bridge the supply gap and address the current scarcity,” she stated.

The statement quoted Ahmed as saying that arrangements were being finalised to expand CNG infrastructure in the state through partnerships with private‑sector investors.

He noted that Kogi occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s gas value chain and remains a priority destination for investment because of its economic importance and location along major transportation routes.

According to him, the presence of the Ajaokuta gas hub, coupled with the state’s role as a key transit corridor, makes it an ideal location for the expansion of gas distribution infrastructure.

“Kogi State is home to the Ajaokuta gas hub, and because of its strategic location, heavy traffic volume and importance as a major transportation corridor, we will be bringing more gas stations along that route,” Ahmed said.

The PCNGI commitment has been welcomed by transport operators and residents, who expressed optimism that the proposed facilities would ease the persistent supply challenges that have affected daily transportation and economic activities in the state.

Stakeholders urged authorities to ensure the swift execution of the project, stressing that delays could further undermine the gains of the federal government’s clean‑energy transition programme.

The planned expansion is expected to strengthen the federal government’s drive toward cleaner energy adoption while providing commercial transport operators across Kogi State with more reliable and affordable access to CNG as an alternative fuel source.