A Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered vehicle exploded in Benin City, Edo State at the NIPCO filling station located at Ikpoba Hill, along the Benin-Auchi expressway, on Wednesday, injuring many people.

A viral video circulating on social media shows the vehicle scattered.

According to reports, three persons sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to a private hospital for medical attention.

This incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of converting petrol-powered vehicles to CNG, a move advocated by the Nigerian government.

The Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI), an arm of the government saddled with advocating for the conversion of petrol-run vehicles to CNG has responded to the incident.

The initiate expressed condolences to the victims, revealing that the vehicle involved in the explosion was illegally modified,

The statement reads, “The PCNGI commiserate with those injured in this avoidable incident, and thankful that no lives were lost.

“The PCNGI also note that safe handling of all hydrocarbon 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 an 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 seeks to make this safer, cheaper, cleaner and more reliable source of fueling risky for all.

“We also call on all stakeholders to cooperate with the new system of regulation and ensure full compliance.

“Only accredited conversion centers must be patronized and safe handling of CNG just like petrol ensures safety of all.”