Following President Bola Tinubu’s cancellation of the fuel subsidy on May 29, Nigerians have grown more creative.
The abrupt end to the oil subsidy program made by Tinubu resulted in a significant increase in gasoline prices. Petrol is now sold at a price exceeding N600 per little, up from an average of N200.
The cost of transportation, as well as tangible and intangible commodities, has increased as a result of the increase in gasoline prices. The conversion of gasoline-powered buses to those that can run on compressed natural gas (CNG) is one method the government is attempting to save transportation costs, but electricity generators receive no attention from the authorities.
Nigeria as a whole continues to experience power outages. According to Tracking SDG 7’s Energy Progress Report 2022, the country has the lowest level of access to electricity in the world, with 92 million of its 200 million residents lacking access.
According to the report, which was created in collaboration with the International Energy Agency, International Renewable Energy Agency, United Nations Statistics Division, World Bank, and World Health Organization, Nigeria had the largest access deficit, with a deficit of 54 million people, followed by Ethiopia with a deficit of 56 million people, and Pakistan with a deficit of 72 million people.
The few powered settlements have been left in the dark for several days as the nation’s electrical grid has continued to fail on a regular basis.
Nigerians turn to alternative power sources, the least expensive of which is the usage of power generators of various capacities, to enjoy electricity in their homes. The folks need premium motor spirit to power these generators, which is now completely out of reach for the majority of the poor people.
Nigerians have taken control of their fate by changing their gasoline generators to gas in an effort to reduce the amount of money spent on gasoline.
The component that delivers a mixture of gasoline and air to a spark-ignition engine must be changed as the first stage in this process. A gas-powered carburetor will take its place. After that, a long hose and a gas cylinder are required.
The hose that connects the carburetor to the cylinder, where it receives its new gasoline, will be used. Although some claimed the carburetor could be used alternately for gasoline or petrol, this renders the generator’s tank worthless.
For these power generators, people utilize liquefied natural gas (LNG), the same gas they use for cooking, even though the government advises CNG for converted automobiles.
The usage of gas for generators began as early as 2014, according to our correspondent’s research, but only a tiny percentage of people adopted the idea. The high price of gasoline today is causing many people to take the initiative.
In addition to saving money, it has been claimed that using gas to power generators lowers carbon monoxide emissions and lengthens engine life. It minimizes the risk of breathing in fumes while preserving the environment.
The general people is still quite dubious about the security of using gas to power their generators, though. Many people have chosen against converting their gasoline generators because they are afraid there might be explosions.
People are struggling to make wise decisions because of the government’s reticence over the recent development. Additionally, because the conversion is left in the hands of technicians and mechanics, who might not be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the novel concept, specialists are not contributing to the conversation.
Barr. Kehinde Bamiwola claimed he switched from a gasoline to a gas-powered generator about a month ago.
He claims that he now spends half less each day on gasoline for his 6KVa generator than he did previously.
Bamiwola said he understood the concern for safety, but added that the same gas that is used for cooking over open flames in the kitchen cannot get much riskier when used with outside generators.
Abeokuta resident Sulaimon Babatunde praised it as safe and affordable when he said: “I’ve been using it since five days ago, and my 12kg gas has never finished. It’s very safe and affordable.”
As of yet, the accounts of individuals who are utilizing LNG for their power generators have demonstrated that they have been able to minimize the amount they typically spent on fueling their generators, but the concerns about safety have not yet received an explanation from those who should know.
Kolawole Ogunwemimo, a mechanical engineer in Ogun, claimed that while using gas for power generators is inexpensive, it requires caution.
The statement made by Ogunwemimo was that “Leakages in Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, are not easily noticed and are prone to explosion if not well handled and maintained.”
“A converted petrol engine to LPG will have less efficiency because it was not originally designed for such fuel compared to an engine that is designed for such, though it might be more cost-effective than PMS,” the speaker said.We must stress that if they are not properly maintained and watched over, they are prone to explosion. The government needs to step in at this point and educate the populace.
In the midst of this debate, some have recommended that Nigerians embrace solar energy as a backup energy source while also urging the government to revamp the power industry and protect Nigerians from the risks associated with looking for alternate sources of power.