Fake Cylinder In CNG Vehicle Explodes In Benin City
. NIPCO Warns Against Non-Compliant Cylinders, Unqualified Technicians
By Abimbola Abdullah
A fake cylinder containing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) manually fixed in a vehicle exploded in Benin City, leaving two people injured.
The explosion occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at a NIPCO CNG station located in Eyean, Benin City, Edo State.
NIPCO management in a reaction to the incident said: “Our preliminary findings showed that the explosion occurred when a vehicle arrived at the station for CNG refueling.
“Unfortunately, the cylinder installed in the vehicle later identified as a fake and fabricated, substandard unit not designed for CNG exploded after filling with just around 4 SCM of gas.
“The driver fled the scene immediately after the incident,” it stated
Confirming that no fatalities were recorded, the company said two individuals sustained injuries. (One person suffered a leg injury, and another sustained an eye injury).
NIPCO said both victims were promptly rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
Based on the attending doctor’s recommendation, one of the individuals will require surgery at a different hospital.
“Our team is ensuring they receive the necessary care and treatment.
“The incident has been reported at the local police station and the police have taken custody of fake cylinder pieces and the car involved in the incident,” it stated
NIPCO said, “this incident underscores the dangers of unauthorized CNG installations by unqualified technicians using non-compliant cylinders, which we have always campaigned against,”
The gas firm said it is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities to prevent a recurrence and reinforce its commitment to public safety across all operations.
As a precautionary measure, the operations at the affected station have been suspended to express solidarity with those impacted by the incident.
“We remain resolute in our efforts to provide safe and reliable infrastructure for the growth of CNG as an alternative automotive fuel in Nigeria. We assure the public and our valued customers that safety remains paramount in all our operations,” it stated
NIPCO Gas assured that it would continue to uphold the highest industry standards to ensure the well-being of all stakeholders.
