A long queue of bajajis waiting to refuel with natural gas at the Ubungo station in Dar es Salaam. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
Dar es Salaam – As Tanzania struggles with a persistent natural gas shortage, motorists relying on compressed natural gas (CNG) for their vehicles have found themselves spending sleepless nights at refueling stations.
The crisis, which has been particularly severe at stations in Ubungo and Tazara, has seen long queues of cars and bajajis stretching up to 400 meters from the Tazara station, as reported on October 1, 2024.
Motorists like Shaban Nandonde and Kija Mkwere have been stuck at these stations for hours, with no certainty of getting fuel. Nandonde, who arrived at Tazara at 3:00 PM on September 30, said, "I’ve been here for almost 24 hours, and I’m still not sure if I’ll get gas today. There are over 50 bajajis ahead of me."
At Ubungo, drivers such as Nassoro Mtulia echoed these frustrations. "We can’t make our loan payments because our vehicles are grounded. Using petrol is too costly—CNG costs only Sh6,500 for four kilos, but petrol sets us back Sh30,000 a day," said Mtulia.
This crisis has not only crippled public transport but has left many questioning the country’s ability to manage its abundant natural resources. Despite Tanzania being rich in natural gas reserves, with an estimated 57 trillion cubic feet of gas, the management and distribution of this resource remain woefully inadequate.
Many citizens are beginning to suspect that the shortage could be sabotage, with petrol and diesel suppliers reluctant to lose ground to the more cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative. “It’s hard not to think there’s foul play at hand. No business wants competition that could shrink its profits,” commented Ayoub Kinyango, another frustrated driver.
The Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), which oversees gas distribution, attributes the current shortage to technical failures at the TAQA Dalbin station on Nyerere Road.
TPDC’s Director of Downstream Operations, Emanuel Gilbert, explained that the station experienced an electrical fault, severely impacting its operations.
However, the explanation has done little to placate frustrated motorists. “These excuses are weak. If we’re serious about this sector, we need real solutions, not just more reasons why things aren’t working,” said Hamis Kabiito, another stranded driver.
Despite Gilbert's assurances that efforts are underway to repair the station, motorists are skeptical. TPDC has announced plans to introduce mobile CNG stations and an additional station on Sam Nujoma Road by the end of 2024.
They also aim to establish 13 more stations by June 2025. However, with the current lack of urgency, these promises seem far off, as drivers like Kinyango continue to lose an entire day’s work waiting for fuel.
This lack of progress is particularly frustrating considering that the late President John Magufuli made strides in promoting natural gas as an alternative to oil. During his tenure, CNG usage gained momentum, but since his untimely death, the focus on gas utilization appears to have dwindled. “Under Magufuli, we saw real dedication to expanding CNG usage. Now, it feels like those in charge are sleeping on the job,” lamented Kabiito.
The global success of countries such as Argentina, Brazil, and Pakistan, where natural gas has become a key player in the automotive sector, stands in stark contrast to Tanzania’s faltering progress. These nations have invested in infrastructure, making CNG a viable and widely accessible option for their citizens.
According to statistics, natural gas vehicles (NGVs) in Argentina account for nearly 15% of the nation’s vehicle fleet, while Brazil has approximately 2.5 million NGVs. These figures underscore how proper investment and focus can transform the transport sector, a vision that seems distant for Tanzania despite its abundant gas reserves.
With mounting frustration, the question now is whether Tanzania will capitalize on its natural gas potential or continue allowing these challenges to disrupt the daily lives of its citizens. For now, drivers like Nandonde, Mkwere, and others are left waiting—caught between promises of progress and the reality of a system that is failing them.