The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has secured a commitment from the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative for the establishment of additional CNG filling stations across Kogi State.

The move follows growing complaints from commercial tricycle operators over the scarcity of CNG, which has led to long queues, reduced working hours, and declining earnings for transport workers in the state.

According to a statement from the senator’s media office on Monday, members of the Kogi Central Tricycle Network reported that the shortage had become a major challenge, with only one functional CNG station serving the area.

The operators said the existing facility was no longer sufficient to meet rising demand from commercial riders who had adopted the Federal Government’s cleaner energy initiative.

In response to the concerns, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged the leadership of the Presidential CNG Initiative to seek urgent intervention and a long-term solution.

The senator said she had discussed the issue with the Chairman of the initiative, Ismaeel Ahmed, who assured her that plans were underway to expand CNG infrastructure across Kogi State.

“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,” she stated.

Confirming the development, Ahmed said efforts were being concluded to expand CNG facilities in the state through partnerships with private sector investors.

He noted that Kogi State’s strategic position in Nigeria’s gas distribution network makes it a priority for infrastructure expansion, citing its location along major transportation corridors.

According to him, the presence of the Ajaokuta gas hub further strengthens the state’s importance in the national gas value chain and supports the planned expansion.

“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,” he said.

The Federal Government continues to promote Compressed Natural Gas as a cheaper and cleaner alternative to petrol under the Presidential CNG Initiative, introduced to reduce transportation costs and cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

Residents and transport operators in Kogi have welcomed the planned expansion, expressing optimism that additional stations will ease supply shortages and improve access to CNG across the state.