October 17, 2024
Three individuals reportedly sustained various degree of injuries, when a Compressed Natural Gas, CNG-powered vehicle exploded at the NIPCO filling station on Aduwawa along the Benin-Auchi Expressway, Benin City, the capital of Edo State
The incident which happened on Thursday morning, was on a viral video showing the vehicle scattered after the explosion, while terrified bystanders fled as the loud blast sent shockwaves of panic through the area.
Three individuals who reportedly sustained various injuries, were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Ugbowo.
It was learned that the explosion occurred when the technician who did the installation and the car owner drove to the filling station to test-run the conversion.
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The explosion has raised safety concerns regarding the conversion of petrol-powered vehicles to CNG, a practice encouraged by the Federal Government to reduce transportation costs after the removal of fuel subsidy.
In a statement on X, the Presidential CNG Initiative confirmed the incident and extended sympathy to those injured.
“A close examination of the cylinder in question in Benin City shows it was welded and modified, and not approved for use for CNG.
“The police, regulatory authorities, and management of NIPCO are undertaking a painstaking investigation of the incident and we are coordinating with them.
