FG Addresses Edo CNG Vehicle Explosion, Says Cylinder Was improperly Welded and Unauthorised

The federal government has responded to the explosion of a compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle in Edo State, revealing that the cylinder involved was improperly welded and lacked the necessary approval for use.

Intel Region reports earlier that the CNG-powered vehicle exploded at the NIPCO gas station in Aduwawa, along the Benin-Auchi highway, on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

The incident left many people with various degrees of injuries and created tension among the people in the vicinity left many people around the vicinity.

In a video of the incident shared on social media, a station wagon, whose entire rear section was obliterated, is shown with shrapnel scattered across the premises.

Several nearby vehicles were also damaged, showing visible dents from the blast. The explosion reportedly happened while the station wagon’s CNG cylinder was being refueled.

The CNG initiative is being promoted by President Tinubu’s administration and is considered a cheaper alternative to the very expensive petrol, which sells for over N1,000 per litre, compared to CNG at N260.

This is coming on the heels of safety concerns raised about the conversion of petrol-powered vehicles to CNG as advocated for by the Nigerian government.

Nigerians react

@legend_082 said; “I hope lesson is learned here. Never go against the recommendation of the car manufacturer. I haven’t heard or seen government cars being converted to CNG. That would tell you something is definitely wrong.

@MJO_Maddox commented; “Only factory produced CNG vehicles are relatively safe. Cars converted to CNG vehicles are not safe.”

@MJO_Maddox commented wrote; “Change to CNG change to CNG. No one is talking about the explosion. That is it.”

Nigerian government allay fears, says vehicle not authourised to use CNG

Meanwhile, reacting to the development, the Presidential CNG Initiative has commiserated with those injured in the incident described as “unavoidable.”

The PCNGI in a swift response on X said; “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 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 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.

“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.”

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