Dra es Salaam. Dar es Salaam is experiencing a
significant rush for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), creating challenges for
motorists in the city. Juma Zuberi, a 42-year-old tri-cycle (Bajaji) driver,
shared his frustrations about the difficulty of accessing this increasingly
popular fuel.
The soaring interest in CNG, driven by
its economic advantages over conventional fuels, has led to a dramatic 146%
increase in refueling frequency for CNG vehicles in 2022/23 compared to the
previous year. According to the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority
(EWURA), the number of refueling instances jumped from 73,659 in 2021/22 to
178,773.
However, the city’s limited
infrastructure is struggling to keep up with this demand. Dar es Salaam
currently hosts only three CNG filling stations: Ubungo Maziwa, Tazara, and
near the Airport. This scarcity has led to long queues and extended wait times
for refueling.
At 7:27 AM, the Tazara CNG filling
station, located near the Higher Education Students' Loans Board (HESLB)
office, was crowded with motorists. Mr. Zuberi, arriving in his green Bajaji,
faced a wait of over three hours. Despite his smart appearance and professional
demeanor, his frustration was evident.
“It will take more than three hours to
get my Bajaji refilled,” lamented Zuberi, a father of four. Residing in
Kigamboni, he travels long distances to access CNG and endures long waits.
“Since switching to natural gas last year, I’ve enjoyed significant savings
despite the hassles.”
Switching to CNG has allowed Zuberi to
save at least Sh170 per kilogram compared to a liter of petrol. “When I
switched, petrol was around Sh3,300 per liter, while CNG is now priced at
Sh1,550 per kilogram,” he explained. “I see at least 20 Bajajis making the
switch every day. The demand is growing, but supply remains stagnant.”
The cost of converting a Bajaji to CNG
is Sh1.3 million, and a full tank allows for about 200 kilometers of travel.
Zuberi advocates for more CNG stations, suggesting three per district to meet
the growing demand.
The Tanzania Petroleum Development
Corporation (TPDC) reports that CNG usage could save up to 60% compared to
petrol. “One liter of petrol contains only 0.68 kilograms of compressed natural
gas,” said TPDC Marketing Officer Nassor Marushwa. “At Sh1,550 per kilogram,
CNG is significantly cheaper than petrol, which costs over Sh3,200 per liter.”
Taxi driver Ben Kisisiwe, who has used
CNG for two years, echoed similar concerns. The Sh1.8 million installation cost
was a burden, but daily operational savings have been substantial. “I save up
to Sh20,000 per 200 kilometers using natural gas,” Kisisiwe noted. “However,
the shortage of filling stations is a major issue, especially when I'm far from
the Ubungo station.”
Kisisiwe’s 9-kilogram gas cylinder
allows him to travel nearly 200 kilometers for Sh13,950, compared to more than
Sh30,000 with petrol. Yet, the high installation costs and limited stations
pose significant barriers for many drivers.
Comparatively, Nigeria has advanced further in CNG adoption. The Nigerian government offers free vehicle conversions, while Tanzanian costs range from Sh1.3 million to Sh2.5 million.
Ewura has issued approvals for three
new CNG filling stations, with two already operational at Tazara and the
Airport. TPDC is also developing a major CNG facility on Sam Nujoma Road,
slated to begin operations in February 2025. This multi-billion project will
feature six filling pumps and serve as both a filling station and a conversion
workshop.
“This facility will alleviate current
shortages, reducing long queues and improving access for CNG vehicle owners,”
Marushwa explained. The station will also distribute CNG to smaller stations
and support five specialized CNG trucks serving various city areas. As Dar es
Salaam grapples with the CNG surge, these developments offer a glimmer of hope
for a more accessible and efficient natural gas infrastructure.