Following the unfortunate incident at the NIPCO CNG Station in Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, where several individuals sustained injuries, the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI) has highlighted critical safety concerns within the industry.
The Programme Director and Chief Executive of PCNGI, Michael Oluwagbemi, in an official statement, revealed that the cylinder involved in the explosion had been improperly modified, raising urgent questions about compliance with safety regulations.
Oluwagbemi disclosed that a detailed investigation conducted by regulatory authorities, police, and NIPCO management, with full cooperation from PCNGI, confirmed that the cylinder had been welded and altered—violations that rendered it unsuitable for use with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
This tragic oversight, he emphasized, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by substandard equipment and unregulated modifications.
“This incident underlines the critical need for the upcoming Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System,” Oluwagbemi stated, referencing the collaborative effort between PCNGI and regulatory bodies such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The initiative aims to identify and root out bad actors in the ecosystem, promoting safety and regulatory compliance across the country’s growing CNG sector.
He further urged the public to patronize only accredited conversion centers for their vehicles, reiterating that CNG, as a safer, cheaper, and cleaner fuel option, should remain risk-free for all users.
“Safety must come first,” Oluwagbemi stressed, “just as with petrol or any other fuel source, compliance with safety regulations is paramount.”
In his concluding remarks, Oluwagbemi called on all stakeholders—industry players, regulatory bodies, and the general public—to uphold best practices, follow regulations, and ensure the proper handling of CNG systems. By doing so, he argued, Nigeria can fully harness the benefits of CNG without compromising the safety of its citizens.
The PCNGI has committed to working closely with the authorities to enforce regulations and ensure that incidents like this are prevented in the future.
As investigations continue, the spotlight is on safety reform within the CNG industry to protect lives and promote a sustainable future for cleaner energy in Nigeria.