In order to reduce emissions and promote sustainable eco-friendly environment, Ogun State government has engaged relevant stakeholders towards ensuring a seamless conversion of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered.

Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, while speaking during a three-day workshop on Application of Nigerian Industrial Standard, organised by the Ministry, in conjunction with Standard Organisation Of Nigeria, (SON), at the Ministry's Conference room, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said the programme would engage staffers on quality and safety inspections of CNG-powered vehicles and refueling stations by relevant regulators.

Mr. Oresanya pointed out that, in achieving a safe environment for CNG usage, a multi-sectoral approach such as, synergy with other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including Ministry of Transportation, Fire Services and those in charge of registration of gas stations, among others, must be adopted as part of proactive measures, noting that promoting sound standard was crucial for the success of the initiative.  

‘’Recent audits by the Ministry and its sister agency, Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), revealed a lot of safety gaps and poor orientation by the handlers of the CNG and other stakeholders had been the major cause of fire incidence experienced earlier in the year, which could have been averted if necessary measures were put in place’’, he said.

The Commissioner stated that a safety desk had been set up to regulate and ensure safe manufacture, distribution and handling of all gases in the state, as well as division of gas handlers into commercial and industrial sectors, appreciating the collaborative support of SON for proactively formulating regulations on CNG vehicle conversion and its readiness to cascade the knowledge to the sub-nationals for joint implementation.

He urged all stakeholders involved in the exercise to adhere to standards and prioritise safety such that both regulatory requirements and protection of the health and welfare of our communities were maintained.

On his part, Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Gbenga Dairo, said the present administration in the state was committed to supporting the laudable initiative due to its economic advantage and reduction of emission, noted that adequate enforcement and regulations must be adhered to for a safer environment.

Contributing, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Sam Oyeleye, said the training was aimed at changing the wrong perceptions of people about the use of CNG product as an alternative to PMS, admonishing participants to judiciously utilise knowledge gained in promoting a safer and cleaner environment.

In their separate goodwill messages, Director General, SON, Dr. Ifeanya Chukwunonso, represented by Director, Laboratory Service, David Ikhebome and Managing Director, Safety Plus, Mrs. Omolara Odebunmi, expressed their organisations’ determination to ensure improvement on the quality of CNG products, underscoring the need to train staffers on CNG safety precautions and its usage with different vehicles.

In his lecture, the resource person, Public Relations Officer, SON, Mr. Damilola Iyanda, who gave kudos to the state for being the first in CNG conversion and usage in the country, highlighted the advantages of using CNG, including being cheaper and environment-friendly, while its cylinder is safer in booths of vehicles, warning that CNG is odourless and passengers’ lives would be at risk if the CNG-powered vehicles were overloaded.   

He added that converted vehicles could withstand the heat pressure of 500 degrees centigrade, while the CNG coolant could suppress better in the booths of vehicles.  

Speaking on behalf of other participants, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Bashir from Ministry of Environment and a Vehicle Inspection Officer, Mr. Folorunsho Saka, lauded the organisers for the workshop, saying it would further enhance their knowledge on industrial standards and safety.