CNG Is Safe, Experts Insist, Urge Compliance With Conversion, Refilling Standard
. Bemoan Long Queues Of Vehicles Waiting For Inspection
. 30,000 Vehicles Converted In One Year, Says PCNGi
By Frederick Wright
Stakeholders in the gas industry have insisted that the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is a safe for vehicles.
Some of the stakeholders who spoke at a webinar lecture series organised by Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), said the nationwide shift to cleaner energy sources in transportation is expected to impact the economy positively while contributing to Nigeria’s environmental goals.
The Coordinator, Regulatory Compliance and Facilitation, Presidential CNG Initiative, Engr. Zayyanu Tamban Yabo, said the initiative has converted over 30,000 vehicles to CNG in one year, while it remains ambitious with plans to hit 1 million conversions by the end of the programme.
According to him, the initiative aims to ease Nigeria’s transportation sector’s transition to cleaner energy by focusing on commercial vehicles, which consume the most energy in the shortest time frames.
Tamban said the government is collaborating with transport unions and financial institutions, to offer support, incentives, and financing options to make the conversion process more accessible.
He added that the initiative is distributing CNG-powered buses and tricycles as part of its efforts. “As of September, we had distributed 20 buses out of the planned 100, and 200 tricycles out of the estimated 500. This is a nationwide program, and we are continuing deployments.”
Deputy Director, Standard Development Coordination Division (SDCD) of Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Olalekan Omoniyi, insisted that CNG is safe when the standard procedures are followed.
He said the two CNG incidences recorded so far were traced to non-adherence to standard requirements.
He therefore recommended that regulators should obtain copies of relevant standards on the management and handling of the CNG equipment and components.
He added that all refueling stations should be encourages to carry out visual inspection, specifically checking the “pressure certificate, label/plate” before refueling the cylinder.
Omoniyi also recommended that certification of personnel and conversion centres should be carried out before conversion centres are granted approval to operate as stipulated in the Nigerian National Guide NNG 1214:2024-Auto Gas (CNG) conversion kits- guideline for installation of specific components for the CNG in their propulsion system.
Managing Director of THLD Group, Olajuwan Oluwasegun, said that gas safety and conversion standards remain a concern.
He explained that improper installations remain a significant risk, as evidenced by the recent explosion. “Even with a poorly installed system, if procedures are followed correctly, it can still function safely,” he said. He stressed that ensuring correct installation protocols is crucial to avoiding such accidents in the future.
Oluwasegun called for a comprehensive review of the CNG and LPG conversion processes, particularly for different vehicle types.
He noted that for petrol engines, the conversion allows for switching between gas and petroleum, but for diesel engines, the process is more complex, requiring simultaneous injection of both fuel types. This technical distinction, he said, necessitates more targeted training and oversight.
Meanwhile, he said the issue of overcrowded refueling stations, particularly in Benin and Ogun states, where long queues of vehicles waiting for inspection have become a frequent occurrence.
He therefore called for improved traffic management and refueling infrastructure, emphasizing the need for a smoother workflow in refueling oper
