A Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered vehicle has exploded at the NIPCO filling station on Aduwawa along the Benin-Auchi Expressway, Edo state on Thursday.
A viral video shows the vehicle scattered after the explosion, while terrified bystanders fled as the loud blast sent shockwaves of panic through the area.
Three individuals reportedly sustained various injuries and were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Ugbowo.
It was learned that the explosion occurred when the technician who did the installation and the car owner drove to the filling station to test-run the contraption.
The explosion raises safety concerns regarding the conversion of petrol-powered vehicles to CNG, a practice encouraged by the Federal Government to reduce transportation costs after the removal of fuel subsidy.
In a statement on X, the Presidential CNG Initiative confirmed the incident and extended sympathy to those injured.
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.
“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 statement further called on all stakeholders to cooperate with the new system of regulation and ensure full compliance.
