The Presidential CNG Initiative has clarified that the incident at a NIPCO station was caused by an illegally modified Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle.
The PCNGI consequently warned against the conversion of cars at unapproved centres.
The reaction was contained in a statement titled, ‘Safety Incident at NIPCO Benin City’ released on Thursday.
The clarification was made following the explosion of an illegally modified vehicle at a NIPCO CNG Station at Ikpoba Hill in Benin City on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
The incident led to panic and some Nigerians questioned the safety of converting Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) cars to CNG.
PCNGI said, “The PCNGI commiserate with those injured in this avoidable incident, and thankfully, 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 an 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.”
The PCNGI said that the incident explains the need to speed up with the launch of the Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System.
It explained, “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.”