The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) has addressed the explosion that took place at a NIPCO filling station in Edo State while a car was being refueled with CNG.
PCNGI is a component of the palliative intervention of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration “directed at providing succor to the masses occasioned by the transitive hardships of the fuel subsidy removal policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria,” according to information on its website.
The explosion reportedly occurred on Wednesday at a NIPCO CNG Station at Ikpoba Hill in Benin City.
The PCNGI, in a statement issued on Thursday titled, “Safety Incident at NIPCO Benin City”, said the explosion was caused by an illegally modified and welded cylinder which is not approved and fit for CNG use.
Though no life was lost in the incident, videos making the rounds on the internet showed that several persons were injured while the trunk of the affected vehicle was shattered.
Some witnesses in the viral videos said the cylinder might have been fabricated by a local welder, suggesting potential flaws in its construction.
In its statement, the PCNGI said the police, regulatory authorities and the management of NIPCO are undertaking a painstaking investigation of the incident and that it is coordinating with them in the investigation.
The statement reads, “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 notes that safe handling of all hydrocarbons 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.”
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