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OIL IS NIGERIA’S WEAKNESS.
At 64 since Independence, Nigeria has degraded its economy to Oil. This commodity is the major source of national calamities including civil war (1967-1970), while it generates income and foreign exchange earnings, it has transmuted to a veritable national curse instead of national purse.
The reason for this remarkable transition from blessings to a curse is easy to understand. It has been the national debate as a phenomenon without serious resolution as government after government policies were dictated by national, transnational and international cartels without visible gains for the overall Nigeria’s national strategic interest. This warrants critical national self reflection which proves torturous for the country, and, is hard enough in the case of every living Nigerian, because of its excruciating pain being subjected everyday.
The article wishes to establish that innermost players on oil business, like the Govt and Foreign Oil Multinationals are responsible for plethora problems affecting Nigerians. There are also some government owned agencies who are deeply involved in the inhuman policies resulting to social malaise. The Globally induced market prices, including external forces are also not left out in attempts to truncate our social order.
OIL CABAL INFLUENCE
At each step along the way, NNPCL has been publishing weak analysis that fails to illuminate the benefits of fuel subsidy removal, its consequence to the overall growth of the social economy. It has failed to make us understand more clearly from whatever perspectives the social gains on these series of Govt policies on deregulation we are going through. We have not been able to see appreciable gain to our basic living conditions from the fuel price increases over these periods in our national history. Where does the money go?
The question of subsidy removal becomes primarily one of income distribution and to a lesser extent, one of reducing the demand for oil in response to higher prices. This is what is PRIMARILY ACHIEVED by the Government. We still should ask the government how and where does it intend to deploy extra monies from subsidy?
I have observed much of the difference between the administration’s supporters and the cabal’s support of subsidy can be understood in terms of their different assumptions about the supply elasticity. NNPCL believes that the removal of subsidy will stimulate new drilling and lead to new discoveries. More monetary income to government. Going by previous experiences informs, the size of consumer expenditure remains the same with the likelihood that increased production may substantially be directed to foreign markets. Even with the Dangote refinery coming into operation, these findings remain the same. This is where the Cartel/Cabals intends to leverage.
INCOME DISTRIBUTION
With regards to income distribution, we see how the policy is transferring large amount of money from consumers to marketers. Here, a value judgment becomes necessary regarding whether national goals are better served by the income remaining with consumers or being passed to marketers.
Some of the conversations and treatise written on this cruel oil price increase are self depressing and personal reflections on grief suffered by Nigerians longing for social justice. Some of us tried to explore fundamental themes that confront a Nigerian state in this unprecedented austere time. The contents of this narrative would serve as guide to address the big questions posed by history in this most consequential austere year of denials and hope.
The pattern of fuel price increase introduced since the 1970s was the first of the government policy on fuel deregulation. Labour unions went on strike though no violence was recorded. If there were doubts about the just cause of the fuel price increase, there was enough record for that. In fact, Nigerians doubted the sincerity of government because the country witnessed oil boom as oil prices were on the increase in the world market. We doubted the morality and wisdom of the policy that brought about increase on food price and other essential commodities where Nigerians
ended up worse off as a result.
Fuel price increase from government to government into this day has kept litanies of national curse at the forefront, but the oil cabals continued to tell government to stay on course, voicing encouraging remarks which blurs the essence of listening governance by pushing their sinister designs that overtook veritable public policies. Sensible politicians and other well meaning national stakeholders were hoodwinked from the realities of meaningful existence, as oil cartel kept pushing government farther away from the views and lives of ordinary Nigerians who were
calling for reversal of the cruel deregulation policy instituted.
CNG INITIATIVE: Merits and Demerits.
Our difficulty is further compounded when we start thinking about oil from unconventional sources. Now that the government has given tax incentives to import, tax-free CNG components in order to convert fossil engines to gas and electric, there remains the danger that we may not have the skill and expertise to achieve accident free conversion. Studies have shown that Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is considered a cleaner alternative to traditional fuels such as gasoline and diesel due to its lower emissions of harmful pollutants. However, despite its advantages, the use of CNG to power cars also has some potential negative effects and dangers. These risks need to be carefully considered to ensure safety and environmental protection.
1. *Fire and Explosion Risk* : CNG is highly flammable, and there is an inherent risk of fire or explosion if the fuel is not properly handled.
If a vehicle’s CNG system is compromised, for example, through a collision or a leak, the escaping gas could ignite if exposed to a spark or high heat (Sharma & Agrawal, 2015). Leaks from CNG tanks or pipelines, if not detected, could cause explosions, particularly in confined spaces such as garages or tunnels (Andrés & Gómez, 2020).
2. *High-Pressure Storage Dangers* : CNG is stored under very high pressure (typically around 3,000 to 3,600 psi), which presents additional risks compared to liquid fuels like gasoline.
Any damage to the storage tank or improper installation can result in sudden depressurization, leading to a violent rupture or explosion (Papanikolaou, 2014). There have been incidents where poorly maintained or defective CNG tanks have exploded due to pressure build-up, causing serious injuries or fatalities (Myers, 2018).
3. *Limited Refueling Infrastructure* : The limited availability of CNG refueling stations can pose risks to drivers who may need to travel long distances between refueling points. This can lead to stranded vehicles or attempts to modify fueling systems, increasing the chances of improper handling of the CNG system (Hoffert, 2015). In countries with fewer CNG refueling stations, drivers may resort to using unauthorized or unsafe facilities, increasing the risk of accidents during the refueling process (Almeida et al., 2017).
4. *Environmental Impact from Methane Leaks* : While CNG is a cleaner-burning fuel compared to gasoline or diesel, it is primarily composed of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Small leaks from CNG systems can contribute to methane emissions, which are 25 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, thereby contributing to global warming (EPA, 2020). Leaks from CNG pipelines or vehicle tanks, though often minor, can accumulate and have a significant negative impact on the environment (Shindell et al., 2012).
5. *Higher Maintenance and Safety Requirements* : CNG vehicles require specialized maintenance to ensure the safety and integrity of the high-pressure storage systems and the fuel lines. Regular inspection of the CNG tank for cracks, leaks, or other damage is critical. Failure to properly maintain CNG systems can increase the risk of accidents (Sharma & Agrawal, 2015). A study by Högström et al. (2019) noted that CNG vehicles have more stringent maintenance schedules compared to gasoline or diesel vehicles, which can lead to higher long-term costs and safety risks if maintenance is neglected.
6. *Performance and Range Issues* : CNG vehicles often have a lower energy density than gasoline or diesel vehicles, which can affect performance and driving range. Although CNG burns more cleanly, the energy content of CNG is lower than that of gasoline or diesel, meaning vehicles may need to refuel more frequently or carry larger storage tanks, which can pose additional risks in terms of weight and space (Demirbas, 2017). This reduced energy content may lead to drivers overusing the fuel system or pushing the vehicle beyond its designed limits, increasing the risk of mechanical failure (Sharma & Agrawal, 2015).
7. *Toxicity Concerns in Enclosed Spaces* : While CNG itself is non-toxic, if a leak occurs in an enclosed space, it can displace oxygen, leading to asphyxiation or suffocation hazards (Papanikolaou, 2014). This is especially a concern in poorly ventilated areas such as garages or tunnels. In the case of an undetected leak, a person entering a closed garage could be at risk of oxygen deprivation without realizing the danger until it’s too late (Andrés & Gómez, 2020).
8. *Conversion Risks for Older Vehicles* : Retrofitting older gasoline or diesel vehicles to run on CNG can pose risks if not done correctly. Improper conversion may lead to fuel system malfunctions, increased emissions, or even safety hazards such as fuel leaks (Almeida et al., 2017). In some countries, unauthorized or untrained mechanics have conducted CNG conversions, resulting in substandard installations that have led to accidents or mechanical failures (Myers, 2018).
9. Conclusion :
While CNG is a cleaner alternative to traditional fuels, it comes with several potential risks and negative effects, including the dangers of high-pressure storage, the risk of leaks leading to explosions or methane emissions, and the challenges associated with limited refueling infrastructure. Ensuring proper handling, maintenance, and refueling processes is critical to minimizing these dangers.
HOW OIL PRICE INCREASE EXACERBATE INSECURITY.
Movements of goods and services as the essential tool for economic growth became difficult due to high cost in the transport sector, farther limiting security patrol on our major highways and urban areas. Farmers could not access their farms, nor could the farm products find its way to the markets. We were left with the only UNCHANGING GOD as our saviour from INSECURITY our govt have failed to challenge.
Social-media platforms are full of grotesque images of hungry and dispossessed and displaced Nigerians, especially the kidnapped victims who are suffering mental torment and physical abuses, showing disgraceful violations of dead victims bodies. These images show how kidnappers are demonstrably telling us the very essence of their whole enterprise which is the humiliation of Nigerian state. Those images inform us to the reality of evil, and this reality obliges us to confront it.
Despite material and political achievements of Democracy which the criminal elements are trying to truncate, their evil deeds cannot be camouflaged. In times of peace and prosperity, it is harder to discern from real and/or potential enemy of the state.
There are those who believed, like Dr Ahmad Gumi that it is possible to uproot evil from the psyche of mankind.through Da’wah. That, to return to the language of the Holy Books, we can understand what evil represents and to redeem the suffering it causes by growing closer to God. The moral reality of evil perpetrated by criminals and kidnappers is the reason for the practical necessity of increased armed security involvement for an all out defeat and deterrence.
CONCLUDING THOUGHT
Let us closely compare related compromise alternatives to which we can relate politically which does not seem to bias any effort to think about the fundamental policy questions in the regulation and deregulation of oil and security architecture debate. There is no doubt that the government is performing an important service, but at the expense not only of their credibility but also, perhaps of something more basics, the ideals of representative democracy. Government must show itself worthy of Nigeria’s projects, when we say Nigeria We Hail Thee.
REFERENCES
Almeida, P. M., Tavares, M. I., & Santos, R. P. (2017). Safety concerns in natural gas vehicles: Risks and preventive measures. Journal of Clean Energy Technologies, 5(4), 317-325. https://doi.org/10.18178/jocet.2017.5.4.386.
Andrés, P. G., & Gómez, D. (2020). Compressed Natural Gas safety: Addressing explosion risks in vehicles. Safety Science Review, 18(2), 45-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2020.09.014.
Demirbas, A. (2017). Compressed natural gas as a transportation fuel. Energy Sources, Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy, 12(3), 200-210. https://doi.org/10.1080/15567249.2016.1250214.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2020). Overview of greenhouse gases: Methane emissions. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases.
Hoffert, M. I. (2015). The challenges of CNG infrastructure for sustainable transportation. Energy Policy Review, 25(3), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2015.01.004.
Högström, J., Pettersson, L., & Fredriksson, H. (2019). Safety analysis of CNG vehicles in collision scenarios. International Journal of Vehicle Safety, 14(1), 29-42. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJVS.2019.100209.
Myers, R. E. (2018). Risks associated with retrofitting vehicles to CNG. Automotive Engineering Journal, 12(2), 87-95. https://doi.org/10.1080/15567249.2018.1410212.
Papanikolaou, N. D. (2014). Compressed natural gas: Safety challenges and solutions in vehicle transportation. Transportation Safety Journal, 10(1), 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsj.2014.07.003.
Sharma, A., & Agrawal, R. (2015). Compressed natural gas vehicles: Performance and safety concerns. Energy Reports, 1(1), 39-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2015.09.001.
Shindell, D., Faluvegi, G., Koch, D. M., Schmidt, G. A., Unger, N., & Bauer, S. E. (2012). Methane emissions and the greenhouse-gas footprint of natural gas. Nature Climate Change, 2, 436-438. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate1451.
M K Ilyasu writes from Kaduna Nigeria
7th October, 2024
