CNG Supply Crisis Creates Turmoil in Tanzania

CNG Supply Crisis Creates Turmoil in Tanzania. Motorists had to wait for hours to fill Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) at filling stations in the city yesterday as long queues of both vehicles and tricycles formed.A line of customers had already formed at Anric Gas Technology Company Limited’s filling station at Tazara and PanAfrican’s at Ubungo by early morning yesterday.

The Daily News reporters conducted a spot check at Anric Gas Technology Company Limited and found long queues of cars and tricycles that stretched for about 500 metres.In the late evening of Monday, the crisis began to escalate and continued into Tuesday.

The Daily News reported that some motorists were stranded for over eight hours, causing significant disruption and frustration.

A three-wheeler driver at Kigamboni expressed frustration at the situation, saying, “It is getting out of hand.”.

Their collective anxiety was palpable as they calculated their losses. Mr Frank Msuya, a Bolt driver, complained that the inability to refuel timely was costing him nearly 100,000/- per day.

Their daily livelihoods and operations were threatened by the problem, which caused more than minor inconveniences.

As the drivers struggled, they stressed the importance of expanding the city’s gas stations. They agreed that there was a desperate need for more filling stations and improvements at the mother station.

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The management of CNG Master Station clarified that the crisis was caused by an electric fault on the line that supplied power to the mother station.

Management assured that they were collaborating closely with Tanzania Electrical Supply Company (TANESCO) to resolve the problem so that things could return to normal before 5pm yesterday.

The Anric Gas Technology Company Limited assured the public that an initiative would be developed to alleviate the situation.

Jonester Mutabuzi, the assistant manager of Anric Gas Technology Company Limited, said the company is planning to add a second gas pump and dispenser as part of an initiative designed to make gas supply more efficient for everyone.

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

“We want to make sure drivers don’t have to spend much time in queues, something that is now becoming more and more common,” she said.

According to Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) Managing Director Mussa Makame, the problem was addressed immediately.

As a result, TPDC contacted the Tanesco Managing Director to communicate with the Ilala District Tanesco Manager in order to resolve the issue permanently.

The TPDC, as the key responsible authority, accorded immediate cooperation to resolve the public concern despite the fact that the problem was facing the privately owned mother station.

Mr Makame said a significant amount of investment is being made by both public and private companies to expand gas filling stations. By June-July next year, there will be a total of 10-14 gas stations installed throughout the city.

According to him, TPDC is installing its first station along Sam Nujoma Road, which will be launched in December. TPDC intends to add more stations and establish mobile facilities in the future.

Mr Titus Kaguo, Communications and Public Relations Manager for the Energy and Water Utility Regulatory Authority (EWURA), responded that the authority was working to restore normalcy.

With an expectation of having about 3500 CNG filling stations across the country, the government is making deliberate efforts to develop and install more filling stations.

In order to accelerate the rollout of the service to the public, Kaguo said EWURA closely works with investors who are eager to invest in the sector.

In order to correct the situation, he urged motorists to be patient while the responsible authorities worked on the matter.