Commercial tricycle operators in Kaduna have lamented the prolonged disruption in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) supply, revealing they have spent days at filling stations without getting fuel, and have urged the government to intervene.
The operators expressed deep concern over the scarcity, stating that the situation has severely disrupted their daily operations and subjected them to considerable financial hardship.
A visit to a CNG station along Kachia Road revealed long queues of commercial tricycles with drivers waiting indefinitely for supplies.
Maisamari Dauda, one of the operators, said some drivers had spent up to two days at the station without receiving gas, expressing frustration over the uncertainty surrounding when normal supply would resume. He explained that the situation was particularly tough for drivers who had converted from petrol to CNG because of its affordability.
Another operator, Jubril Saleh, noted that there were concerns among transporters that the disruption could erode the financial benefits they had enjoyed since switching to gas. He also mentioned unverified reports among drivers that gas tankers were being prevented from moving at certain locations.
Ibrahim Mamman highlighted that many drivers had maintained low fares for over two years due to the savings from CNG. He warned that spending days at filling stations means losing daily income needed to feed their families, which could eventually force operators to hike transport fares for commuters.
Abigail Aboi, a female operator along the Sabo Expressway, stated that the long queues demonstrate how widely commercial transporters have embraced CNG, calling on authorities to improve gas distribution and guarantee regular supply to sustain their businesses.
The operators appealed to the Federal Government and relevant authorities to investigate the disruption and ensure adequate CNG supply to facilities across the state.
