A Compressed Natural Gas, CNG-powered vehicle exploded at the NIPCO filling station on Aduwawa along the Benin-Auchi Expressway, Edo State on Thursday, creating safety concerns about the vehicles.
Three persons were reportedly injured in the incident and were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Ugbowo for treatment.
The vehicle, which was seen in a viral video broke to pieces after the explosion, sending shockwaves to frightened bystanders in the area.
With the explosion, many have come to question the safety of converting the petrol-powered vehicles to CNG, a development that is expected to ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians, as it would reduce the cost of transportation, following the removal of fuel subsidy.
However, in a statement on X, the Presidential CNG Initiative, PCNGI, confirmed but while sympatising with those injured in the incident, noted that the conversion was illegally done.
“The Presidential CNG Initiative notes the unfortunate incident that involved an illegally modified vehicle at a NIPCO CNG Station at Ikpoba Hill in Benin City on Wednesday, October 16, 2024,” the statement read.
“The PCNGI commiserate with those injured in this avoidable incident, and thankful that no lives were lost. The PCNGI also note that safe handling of all hydrocarbon is critical to their safe use. A close examination of the cylinder in question in Benin City shows it was welded and modified and not approved for use for CNG. The police, regulatory authorities and management of NIPCO are undertaking a painstaking investigation of the incident and we are coordinating with them.
“This incident reiterates the impetus of the PCNGI and our partners on the soon to be launched Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System at SON, NMDPRA, NADDC and FRSC to tackle any bad actors in the ecosystem that seeks to make this safer, cheaper, cleaner and more reliable source of fueling risky for all.
“We also call on all stakeholders to cooperate with the new system of regulation and ensure full compliance. Only accredited conversion centers must be patronized and safe handling of CNG just like petrol ensures safety of all.”