A CNG-powered vehicle explosion at the NIPCO filling station in Aduwawa, Benin, Edo State, on Wednesday has left three people severely injured. Among the injured is a motorist who suffered significant eye injuries.
The explosion is believed to have originated from a cylinder that was improperly fabricated by a welder without the necessary approvals. The welder has since turned himself in to the police.
According to our source, “The explosion occurred while vehicles were queuing to refill their cylinders at the station. The vehicle being attended to suddenly exploded. One motorist suffered an eye injury, a woman’s stomach was torn open, and another person’s foot was amputated from the impact. They are all at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital receiving treatment, and we hope none of them will lose their lives.”
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of UBTH, Joshua Uwaila, confirmed that he had spoken to the motorist with the eye injury, who is reported to be in stable condition.
In response to the incident, the Presidential CNG Initiative issued a statement on Twitter expressing sympathy for the injured.
The statement read: “The Presidential CNG Initiative notes the unfortunate incident involving an illegally modified vehicle at a NIPCO CNG station in Aduwawa, Benin City, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. We commiserate with those injured and are thankful that no lives were lost. Safe handling of hydrocarbons is critical to their safe use.”
The initiative further explained that investigations revealed the cylinder involved had been welded and modified against approved safety standards for CNG.
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“The police, regulatory authorities, and NIPCO management are investigating the incident, and we are coordinating with them,” the statement added.
The Presidential CNG Initiative emphasized the necessity for strict compliance with safety regulations, stating, “This incident underscores the need for the soon-to-be-launched Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), NMDPRA, NADDC, and FRSC to tackle any bad actors jeopardizing the safety of CNG usage.
We call on stakeholders to adhere to these regulations and ensure that only accredited conversion centers are patronized to guarantee safe handling of CNG.”
Accredited conversion centers are facilities that meet specific safety and quality standards set by regulatory bodies for converting vehicles to run on CNG. These centers are equipped with the necessary technology and trained personnel to ensure that conversions are done safely and in compliance with national standards.
Using accredited centers helps prevent accidents like the recent explosion by ensuring that all equipment and procedures are certified and monitored by relevant authorities. The initiative urges all vehicle owners considering CNG conversions to utilize these accredited centres to enhance safety and reliability in their vehicle operation
