Nigerians Express Safety Concerns Over CNG Vehicles

LAGOS – Following the explosion of a CNG powered vehicle in Benin City recently, the Presidency has claimed that the Compressed Natural Gas otherwise called CNG-powered vehicle which exploded was illegally modified.

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, a video made the rounds on social media showing the vehicle in a state of ruin after the explosion, while terrified bystanders scampered for safety after the loud blast sent shockwaves of panic through the area.

The tragic incident occurred in the morning at the NIPCO filling station on Aduwawa along the Benin-Auchi Expressway.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that the explosion occurred when the unapproved technician who did the installation and the car owner drove to the filling station to subject the contraption to a test run.

Three people, who reportedly sustained various injuries from the blast, were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Ugbowofor medical attention.

However the explosion has heightened safety fears among many Nigerians regarding the conversion of petrol-powered vehicles to CNG.

Engineer Funsho Adu said there are certain drawbacks associated with using CNG as an automotive fuel, such as safety risks, the limited range of the vehicle, the limited availability of fueling facilities, and the high initial investment costs.

“In order to utilize CNG in a vehicle, it is necessary to have either a CNG dedicated vehicle or a CNG bi-fuel vehicle. A dedicated CNG vehicle is a vehicle exclusively powered by CNG and it is safer, while a bi-fuel vehicle is a vehicle capable of running on both gasoline and CNG fuel. 

If neither type of vehicle is available, a Certified CNG Installer would be required to install a CNG Conversion Kit for the vehicle if the vehicle is intended to be powered by CNG fuel instead of gasoline or diesel.

Reacting to the incident, Jovic Emasuen, a trader in Iyana Ipaja, said: “I’m just laughing at the excuse the government is giving, I would rather buy fuel at 3k per liter than put CNG in my car! I told you all that introduction of CNG without proper orientation to the nation is complete nonsense”. 

Abisoye Ladi, a student of Federal University of Oye Ekiti, said, “Installation error, there are so many CNG vehicles being introduced, we shouldn’t start with these types of story.”

“They keep lying to people that this CNG thing is safe, nut I don’t really believe it. Okon a footballer opined. 

Emeka Nwoke, a commercial bus driver, “People advocating for it haven’t converted theirs ooooh! Some of them don’t even own a car. If CNG is that good and cheap, why isn’t it popular in other climes?”   

Adele a School teacher said, “The major risk in converting to CNG is the conversion being done by a quack; the result would of course be an explosion,” 

Philip Adejoh said “No be quack people full this country,”