Kwara Commercial Drivers Stranded by Endless CNG Queues

Commercial tricycle and bus operators in Ilorin, Kwara State's capital, are facing severe challenges due to the worsening scarcity of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

The situation has reignited criticism of President Bola Tinubu's CNG policy, which was aggressively promoted after the removal of fuel subsidy in May 2023. The government promised that CNG would provide Nigerians with a cheaper and cleaner transportation alternative.

However, investigations by SaharaReporters reveal that the reality in Kwara State sharply contrasts with those promises. A visit to Ilorin found that the CNG station at the Post Office area had remained without gas supply for more than six weeks.

The prolonged disruption has left a BOVAS filling station as the only operational CNG dispensing outlet in Ilorin, resulting in severe congestion and hours-long queues. Many commercial drivers lamented that they now spend several hours in queues instead of transporting passengers, drastically reducing their daily earnings.