-powered truck detonated at the NIPCO filling station on Ikpoba Hill near the Benin-Auchi motorway in Benin City, Edo State, injuring many persons.){kind=link}
On Wednesday, a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered truck detonated at the NIPCO filling station on Ikpoba Hill near the Benin-Auchi motorway in Benin City, Edo State, injuring many persons.
A viral video circulating on social media depicts the automobile scattering.
According to reports, three people suffered varying degrees of injuries and were taken to a private hospital for treatment.
This incident has raised severe worries regarding the safety of switching petrol-powered cars to CNG, a policy endorsed by Nigeria’s government.
The Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI), a government agency tasked with lobbying for the conversion of gasoline-powered cars to CNG, has responded to the incident.
The initiate expressed condolences to the victims, revealing that the vehicle involved in the explosion was illegally modified,
The statement reads, “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.”