A tragic incident unfolded on Thursday morning in Benin City, Edo State, when a vehicle powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) exploded at the NIPCO filling station on Aduwawa along the Benin-Auchi Expressway. Eyewitnesses captured the chaos in a viral video, which showed the vehicle in disarray after the blast, as bystanders fled in fear from the loud explosion that created panic in the vicinity. Reports indicate that three people were injured in the explosion and were promptly taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital for treatment.
The explosion reportedly occurred during a test run at the filling station, involving the car owner and the technician who had completed the vehicle’s conversion to CNG. This incident raises significant safety concerns about the practice of converting petrol-powered vehicles to CNG, a method the Federal Government has been promoting to help lower transportation costs following the removal of the fuel subsidy.
In response to the event, the Presidential CNG Initiative issued a statement on X, expressing condolences to those injured. The statement highlighted that the explosion involved an illegally modified vehicle and noted that it occurred at a NIPCO CNG station on October 16, 2024. The initiative was relieved that no fatalities resulted from the incident.
The statement continued to emphasize the importance of safe handling of hydrocarbons for their secure use. An investigation revealed that the CNG cylinder involved in the explosion had been improperly welded and modified, rendering it unsafe for use. Police and regulatory agencies, along with NIPCO’s management, are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. The PCNGI is coordinating with these authorities, underscoring the urgency of implementing a new Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System to address unsafe practices within the ecosystem.
They urged stakeholders to support the new regulatory system and ensure compliance, stressing that only accredited conversion centers should be used for CNG installations and that safe handling practices must be followed to guarantee public safety.