A devastating explosion rocked Benin City, the capital of Edo State, on Thursday morning when a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered vehicle detonated at a NIPCO filling station.
The incident, which occurred along the bustling Benin-Auchi Expressway in the Aduwawa area, has reignited concerns about the safety of CNG vehicles.
A viral video circulating on social media platforms captured the moment of the blast, showing the vehicle torn apart by the force of the explosion. Panicked bystanders were seen fleeing the area as the deafening sound of the blast reverberated through the neighborhood.
The Explainer gathered that three individuals sustained various degrees of injuries in the incident. The victims were promptly rushed to a nearby private hospital for urgent medical attention. Their current conditions remain undisclosed as medical professionals work to treat their injuries.
The recent incident occurs at a pivotal moment when the Federal Government is actively promoting the conversion of petrol-powered vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to offset the impact of fuel subsidy removal on transportation costs.
However, the explosion has raised serious concerns about the safety protocols and regulations surrounding CNG vehicle conversions, casting a shadow over these efforts.
Earlier in July, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) announced plans to launch over 100 CNG sites within the next year, including 16 NNPC Gas Marketing and NIPCO Gas JV sites.
According to NNPC, CNG provides Nigeria with affordable alternatives to existing fuel products, approximately 40% cheaper than petrol, and is poised to become a significant part of the country’s energy mix with continued investments.
