Transport operators have expressed support for the Federal Government’s plan to add 500 Compressed Natural Gas refuelling stations across Nigeria, saying the move could help lower transport fares and ease inflation.

The Deputy President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Aliyu Ore, said wider access to CNG would reduce the cost of running commercial vehicles and eventually translate into cheaper fares for passengers.

Ore noted that distributing the stations across the states would make CNG more accessible to transport operators. He, however, stressed that the facilities must remain operational and adequately supplied with gas for motorists to benefit.

According to him, simply establishing the stations would not be enough if motorists are unable to obtain CNG when needed.

The Secretary-General of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Ibrahim Yusuf, also welcomed the government’s plan, describing it as a measure capable of reducing the economic pressure on Nigerians.

Yusuf said lower transportation costs could have a wider effect on the prices of goods because the cost of moving commodities from one location to another is reflected in retail prices.

He expressed confidence that the benefits of the programme would become more noticeable once the stations are fully operational and accessible to end users.

The transport unions’ support comes after President Bola Tinubu directed the establishment of an additional 500 CNG refuelling stations nationwide in August 2026.

The latest directive is expected to increase the Federal Government’s planned CNG network to 1,000 stations across the country.

The expansion followed discussions between the President and state governors on measures to bring down transportation costs and reduce the impact of rising living expenses.

For transport operators, the success of the initiative will ultimately depend on the availability of CNG at the stations and their ability to serve motorists consistently.