On Thursday morning, a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered vehicle exploded at a NIPCO filling station along the Benin-Auchi Expressway in Edo State.
The blast was so intense that it left the vehicle badly damaged, while nearby residents fled for their lives. A video of the incident has been circulating, showing the devastating aftermath.
Three people were injured in the explosion and were rushed to a nearby private hospital for medical attention. This incident has caused concerns about the safety of converting petrol-powered vehicles to CNG.
Recall that the Federal Government introduced CNG to reduce transportation costs following the removal of fuel subsidies.
Interestingly, Edo State has been at the forefront of embracing CNG as an alternative fuel source.
In fact, over 5,600 vehicles in the state already run on CNG, with Governor Godwin Obaseki encouraging investors to explore alternative energy sources.
NIPCO Gas, a joint-venture company, has established 15 CNG-running stations in Benin, with plans to construct 15 more.
The Federal Government has also launched initiatives to promote the use of CNG, including free conversion centers for petrol and diesel vehicles.
