A MAJOR compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station capable of serving 1,200 vehicles daily has been completed at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM).

Judith Kapinga, the Energy deputy minister, made this affirmation when visiting the site alongside members of the parliamentary committee on Energy and Minerals at the weekend.

The facility will be used to provide CNG refueling for motor vehicles and serve as a distribution point for CNG to smaller stations not connected to the gas pipeline infrastructure, she stated, explaining that the station will have the capacity to serve eight vehicles simultaneously and handle up to 1,200 vehicles per day. 

The project, costing 18.9bn/-, includes the construction of the mother station at UDSM and two smaller stations at the Muhimbili National Hospital and the Kairuki Hospital within the city centre permieter, she said.

The funding was provided entirely by the government through the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), she stated, appealing for private sector involvement in building additional CNG stations.

An initiative to convert motor vehicleso to using CNG has been well received, he said, while committee chairman David Mathayo David (Same West) commended TPDC for spearheading the project and establishing smaller stations to support distribution.

“We appreciate the government for heeding Parliament’s advice to build this large CNG station. It will enable smaller stations to receive gas from this central hub and supply it to vehicles in other areas,” he said.

The committee also advised the government to expand gas transportation infrastructure nationwide, pointing at the benefits of pipelines over road transport in cost-effectiveness and accessibility, he stated.

“Gas should be made available across all regions to reduce dependency on imported fuels like diesel and petrol. This will also save foreign exchange,” he remarked.

The station marks a significant step toward making CNG accessible across the country starting with the city of Dar es Salaam, he added.