The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) has addressed the recent explosion that took place at a NIPCO filling station in Edo State. The incident occurred while a vehicle running on compressed natural gas (CNG) was refueling.
According to information available on the PCNGI’s official site, the initiative is part of the Bola Tinubu administration’s efforts to provide relief in response to the difficulties brought about by the fuel subsidy removal policy. This explosion, which happened on Wednesday at NIPCO’s CNG station on Ikpoba Hill in Benin City, has drawn significant attention.
In a statement released on Thursday, titled “Safety Incident at NIPCO Benin City”, PCNGI attributed the explosion to an illegally modified and welded CNG cylinder, which did not meet the required safety standards.
Although no lives were lost in the incident, several individuals sustained injuries, as seen in circulating videos on social media. The footage also showed the vehicle’s trunk being severely damaged in the explosion. Eyewitnesses speculated that the cylinder might have been locally fabricated, raising concerns about the safety and reliability of such modifications.
The PCNGI’s statement confirmed that the police, regulatory bodies, and NIPCO’s management have launched an in-depth investigation into the matter, with the PCNGI fully cooperating.
The statement further noted, “The Presidential CNG Initiative acknowledges the unfortunate incident involving an illegally modified vehicle at the NIPCO CNG Station on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. We sympathize with those injured in this preventable accident and are thankful that no lives were lost.
“Upon inspection, it is evident that the cylinder had been altered and was not suitable for CNG use. Safety is paramount when dealing with all hydrocarbons, and the modified cylinder violated established safety standards.”
In response to this incident, the PCNGI emphasized the importance of its forthcoming Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System, which will be launched in collaboration with key organizations, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). This system is intended to regulate and eliminate unsafe practices in the growing CNG ecosystem.
The PCNGI also urged the public to follow safety protocols and ensure they only seek services from accredited conversion centers. “Safe handling of CNG, just like petrol, is critical for everyone’s safety,” the statement concluded.
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