CNG supply crisis creates turmoil

DAR ES SALAAM: A SPECTACLE of long queues of both vehicles and tricycles was witnessed yesterday as motorists waited for hours to refill Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) at filling stations in the city yesterday.

From early morning hours yesterday, the filling stations of Anric Gas Technology Company Limited at Tazara area and that of PanAfrican at Ubungo had already been overwhelmed with customers.

A spot check carried out by the Daily News reporters at Anric Gas Technology Company Limited witnessed long queues of cars and tricycles stretching about 500 metres, with motorists forced to spend the whole day waiting to get the service.

The crisis started building up late Monday evening before extending throughout the following day.

According to some motorists who spoke to the Daily News, they were left stranded for over eight hours, causing significant disruption and frustration.

“The situation is getting out of hand,” Mr David Vincent, a three-wheeler driver residing at Kigamboni expressed his frustration.

The collective anxiety was palpable as they calculated their losses. “We’re losing nearly 100,000/- per day due to the inability to refuel in a timely manner,” Mr Frank Msuya, a Bolt driver complained.

The problem did not only cause a minor inconvenience; it also posed a serious threat to their daily livelihoods and operations.

In the midst of their struggles, the drivers voiced a critical need for more gas stations to be established in the city. “We desperately need more filling stations and improvements at the mother station,” they agreed.

However, the management of CNG Master Station clarified that the crisis was a result of electric fault to the line supplying power to the mother station.

The management assured that they were collaborating closely with the Tanzania Electrical Supply Company (TANESCO) to resolve the problem so that situation could go back to normal before 5pm, yesterday.

Anric Gas Technology Company Limited personnel assured the public of coming up with an initiative aimed at alleviating the situation.

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Anric Gas Technology Company Limited Assistant Manager Jonester Mutabuzi said they are planning to add another gas pumps and dispenser, saying that the initiative is designed to streamline the gas supply process, making it more efficient for all gas users.

“With the new machines, we hope to significantly reduce waiting times and ensure a steady supply of gas for everyone,” Ms Mutabuzi explained.

“Our goal is to make sure that drivers can get access to the service without spending much waiting time in a queue, something that is now becoming common,” she added.

Commenting, Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) Managing Director Mussa Makame said they made immediate intervention to address the problem.

He said TPDC contacted (TANESCO) Managing Director, so that he could communicate with the Ilala District Tanesco Manager to address the fault and provide the permanent solution.

He said despite the fact that the problem faced the privately owned mother station, TPDC, as the key responsible authority, accorded immediate cooperation to resolve the public concern.

Highlighting efforts being made to have more gas filling stations Mr Makame said a significant investment is underway by both public and private companies to engage in the business. He said ich by June-July next year, a total of 10-14 gas filling stations will have been installed in different parts of the city.

He said TPDC is installing its first station along Sam Nujoma Road which is expected to be launched in December this year, adding that the corporation intends to add more stations including establishing the mobile facility.

Reacting on the matter, Energy and Water Utility Regulatory Authority (EWURA)’s Communications and Public Relations Manager, Mr Titus Kaguo explained that the authority was making efforts to bring the situation to normal.

He said the government make deliberate efforts to develop and install more CNG filling stations with expectations to have about 3500 facilities across the country.

Mr Kaguo said EWURA closely works with investors who are eager to invest in the sector so as to speed up the roller out plan to enable the government reach its goals of conveniently availing the service to the public.

He pleaded with all motorists to be patient while the responsible authorities work on the matter to rectify the situation.