The Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG) has extended its heartfelt sympathy to those injured in the incident at the NIPCO CNG Station at Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, Edo State, on Thursday.
In a statement signed by the Programme Director and Chief Executive Officer of Pi-CNG, Michael Oluwagbemi, and made available to Tribune Online, it was revealed that a thorough examination of the cylinder involved in the incident showed it had been welded and modified, rendering it unapproved for use with CNG.
The statement also mentioned that the Police, regulatory authorities, and NIPCO’s management are conducting a detailed investigation into the incident, with Pi-CNG closely coordinating the process.
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“We would like to inform the public that a thorough examination of the cylinder involved in the incident showed it had been welded, modified, and was not approved for use with CNG.
“We must also emphasize that the Police, regulatory authorities, and the management of NIPCO are conducting a detailed investigation into the incident, with Pi-CNG coordinating closely.”
Oluwagbemi urged the public to use only accredited conversion centers for their safety. He further noted that the incident highlights the importance of the upcoming Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System, a joint initiative by Pi-CNG and its partners, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC). This system aims to identify and address bad actors in the ecosystem to ensure that CNG remains a safer, cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable fuel source, free from unnecessary risks.
