The CNG car explosion that occurred on Wednesday at a filling station in Benin City, Edo State, was caused by an illegal conversion with a substandard cylinder fabricated by a local welder, the Presidential CNG Initiative has revealed.
Responding to the incident in its X handle, PCNGi said 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 PCNGI also note that safe handling of all hydrocarbon is critical to their safe use, it stated, adding, “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.”
The Federal government also called on all stakeholders to cooperate with the new system of regulation and ensure full compliance.
“Only accredited conversion centers,” it stressed, “must be patronized and safe handling of CNG just like petrol ensures safety of all.”
Also in a separate statement, the management of NIPCO Gas Limited attributed the explosion at its CNG station in Benin to a fake and substandard CNG cylinder installed in the vehicle.
It explained: “The management of NIPCO Gas Ltd wishes to inform the general public of an incident that occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at our Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) station located in Eyean, Benin City, Edo State.
“Our preliminary findings revealed that the explosion happened when a vehicle arrived for CNG refueling.
“Unfortunately, the cylinder installed in the vehicle was later identified as a fake, fabricated, substandard unit not designed for CNG.
“It exploded after being filled with just around 4 SCM of gas.The driver of the vehicle fled the scene immediately following the explosion. While no fatalities were recorded, two individuals sustained injuries — one with a leg injury and another with an eye injury.
“Both victims were rushed to the hospital for medical attention, and one of them is scheduled for surgery at another facility, based on medical advice. Our team is ensuring that they receive the necessary care and treatment.”
The newly retrofitted CNG-powered car exploded at the NIPCO filling station, causing panic in the area with many injured people rushed to the hospital.
Video footage circulating on social media shows the aftermath, with the vehicle severely damaged and people in the area rushing to assist the injured.
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