In the wake of a recent explosion at a CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) station in Benin City, Edo State, Zayyanu Yabo, the Coordinator of Regulatory Compliance and Facilitation for the Presidential CNG Initiative, has addressed growing concerns regarding the safety of CNG use in Nigeria. Appearing as a guest on Arise TV’s Newsnight, Yabo acknowledged the incident and emphasized the importance of adhering to regulations to ensure public safety.

“We commiserate with those that were injured and impacted by the incident,” Yabo said. “Luckily, there were no fatalities, and while two of the injured remain in serious condition, one has already been discharged from the hospital. We continue to monitor their recovery closely, and we wish them a speedy recovery.”

Yabo went on to highlight that Benin City has been a pioneer in Nigeria’s CNG industry since 2012, when the country’s first five pilot CNG stations were commissioned in the city. Over the past twelve years, these stations have operated without incident until now. However, with the renewed push for CNG adoption under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, Yabo pointed out that the increasing interest in the sector has attracted some unscrupulous elements.

“Since the launch of the Presidential CNG Initiative by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there has been a significant uptick in activity in the sector. Unfortunately, this pace of development has provided an opportunity for individuals to exploit the system by engaging in illegal practices,” he explained. Preliminary reports indicate that the cylinder involved in the explosion was locally fabricated, an illegal practice that contravenes safety regulations. Both the police and regulatory agencies are now investigating the matter.

Despite the unfortunate incident, Yabo reassured the public that the Presidential CNG Initiative has implemented a robust regulatory framework to monitor and control all aspects of the CNG value chain. This framework involves multiple regulatory bodies, each playing a key role in ensuring safety and compliance. The Nigerian Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) all work together to oversee the manufacture, installation, and inspection of CNG kits, cylinders, and conversion centers.

“There is a long chain of gatekeepers to ensure that unscrupulous behavior doesn’t get out of hand,” Yabo noted. He acknowledged that the incident had heightened fears among Nigerians regarding the safety of CNG, with some already expressing reluctance to convert their vehicles to CNG. However, he stressed that these fears were based on misunderstandings of the system.

Yabo offered practical advice to the public, urging them to only patronize duly accredited conversion centers. “First and foremost, we should only patronize accredited conversion centers. You can verify their status through our various platforms,” he said. “Do not patronize any unauthorized person or mechanic who claims they can convert vehicles. It’s dangerous, and this explosion shows the risks.”

To further enhance transparency and safety, Yabo revealed that the Presidential CNG Initiative is launching the Nigerian Gas Vehicle Monitoring System, a web-based platform that will allow users to check the authenticity of conversion centers and verify their certifications. “This system will be available for anyone to check the veracity of conversion centers, ensuring that only licensed and safe facilities are used,” he explained.

The CNG initiative, which aims to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on petrol and diesel, has been a centerpiece of the government’s energy transition efforts. By promoting cleaner and more affordable alternatives, the initiative hopes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower the cost of transportation for Nigerians. However, safety remains a top priority as the sector expands.

“The goal of the CNG initiative is not only to drive environmental sustainability but also to provide cost-effective alternatives for Nigerians in the face of rising fuel prices,” Yabo emphasized. “But we can’t afford to compromise safety in the process. That’s why regulatory compliance is non-negotiable.”