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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Three persons have sustained serious injuries at a Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO) gas filling station following the explosion of a CNG-powered vehicle at the station located at Aduwawa in Benin City along the Benin-Auchi expressway.
The loud sound of the explosion caused panic among residents in the vicinity as people were captured running for safety in a viral video, even as the ill-fated vehicle that attempted to fill gas was badly damaged.
Meanwhile, the injured victims are said to have been rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for medical attention.
Shortly after the explosion, the scene was barricaded with red tape, with stains of blood visible on the ground.
Heavy trucks and other commercial vehicles in queue were being properly screened by officials of NIPCO, apparently to ensure that customers complied with the requisite regulations, with a staff of the company attributing the explosion to a fake CNG cylinder fabricated by a welder for the owner of the vehicle, just as it gathered that the welder has been arrested for further investigation.
An official of NIPCO who left the scene before the blast told journalists yesterday that he was lucky to have escaped as the explosion occurred barely one hour after he left the scene, adding that three persons were fatally injured and are currently receiving treatment at the University of Benin Teaching, UBTH.
“One of my staff was directly involved, and he is presently receiving treatment at UBTH. Another victim sustained injuries in the eye, and one had his leg cut off completely. I was just lucky to have left the vicinity before the explosion.
“A welder not far from here faked the CNG cylinder that caused the explosion. I don’t know why some people will put their lives and those of others in danger by going to fabricate cylinders, he said.
Reacting to the incident, the Presidential CNG Initiative said in a message on X called the incident unfortunate, adding that it was a result of an illegally modified vehicle.
“The PCNGI commiserates with those injured in this avoidable incident and is thankful that no lives were lost. The PCNGI also notes that the safe handling of all hydrocarbons is critical to their safe use.
“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.
“This incident reiterates the impetus of the PCNGI and our partners on the soon-to-be-launched Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System at SON, NMDPRA, NADDC,, and FRSC to tackle any bad actors in the ecosystem that seek to make this safer, cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable source of fuelling risky for all.
“We also call on all stakeholders to cooperate with the new system of regulation and ensure full compliance. Only accredited conversion centres must be patronised, and safe handling of CNG just like petrol ensures the safety of all,” the statement said.
