Motorists frustrated by delays at scarce CNG filling stations

Dar es Salaam. Vehicle owners who have transitioned from traditional fuel to compressed natural gas (CNG) are voicing concerns over a shortage of filling stations, leading to significant delays during refuelling.

Currently, there are only three CNG stations in Dar es Salaam, while the number of vehicles using gas fuel is estimated to have increased from 1,139 in 2020/2021 to about 3,000 in 2022/2023, especially in the regions of Dar es Salaam, Coast, and Mtwara.

Also read: 20 companies allowed to build compressed natural gas stations in Tanzania

Gas is considered slightly cheaper than petrol and diesel by about 40 percent, according to industry players.

A notable number of individuals, particularly those in the ride-hailing business, report spending up to an hour in refuelling queues, which results in cancelled trips and missed business targets.

A ride-hailing driver, Mr Hakika Ismail, expressed his frustrations; “I convinced my boss to switch to compressed natural gas to save on fuel costs, but I’m starting to regret it. We’re losing clients because this mode of transportation requires multiple refills per day, and waiting in line for gas means we can’t pick up passengers,” he said.

He highlighted potential savings of up to 50 percent compared to traditional fuel but urged the government to address the challenges associated with accessing gas stations by expanding their network.

The parliament recently tasked the government with implementing measures aimed at reducing the costs of installing gas systems in vehicles and increasing the number and network of gas filling stations.

This initiative will commence in areas where initial construction procedures have already begun, including Dar es Salaam, Coast, Morogoro, Dodoma, and at government fuel refilling facilities. During observations at a few stations, long queues of vehicles waiting for services were noted.

Drivers acknowledged the cost advantages of using CNG over oil but expressed concern that these benefits might be undermined if the current condition of the stations persists.

A passenger, Blessing Chanzi, shared her experience of waiting in the refuelling stations.

"Yesterday, my colleagues and I had to get off when our ride spent an extended period refuelling in the Ubungo CNG filling station. This is a significant issue. If we have an abundance of resources, we should make better use of them by establishing more gas stations," she said.

Recently, the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Minerals issued a directive, emphasizing the need to accommodate the increasing number of vehicles running on CNG in the country.

In response to the growing demand causing queues at gas stations, the parliament resolved that the government should increase the number and network of gas filling stations, starting with areas where initial construction procedures are underway, including Dar es Salaam, Coast, Morogoro, Dodoma, and the stations owned by the Government Procurement System Agency.

Last year, the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) granted approval to 20 companies to construct CNG stations, with completion expected over 24 months.