The Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) has advised Nigerians to use only certified Compressed Natural Gas refueling stations to ensure safety following a recent cylinder explosion that occurred at NIPCO’s CNG refueling station in Benin City, Edo State.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Director-General of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, highlighted the importance of adhering to standards to protect lives and property across the country.
“We will not allow unscrupulous individuals to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s initiative to promote access to quality energy for the automobile sector,” Okeke stated.
He pointed out that SON would not accommodate or tolerate any violation of the laid-down rules, guidelines, and procedures governing the CNG conversion sector.
SON says that preliminary investigations into the Benin explosion showed that the cylinder used at the station did not meet approved CNG standards, failing to live to the Federal Government’s initiative which aims to drive economic growth by driving forward the efficient movement of people, goods, and services in the country.
The organization has established 88 standard laws to regulate the sector, attract investors, and guarantee quality service delivery on all products and services in Nigeria.
They firmly stated that all CNG equipment and conversion kits must conform to these standards before being certified for public patronage and use.
The organization Director General assured the public that the regulator has efficient and robust measures in place to ensure compliance. “CNG conversion is safe, but end-users must patronize only certified centers,” Okeke stated.
He also spoke on the structural differences between Liquefied Petroleum Gas and CNG cylinders, warning that LPG cylinders are not suitable for CNG containment due to their lower pressure capacity and different construction.
From his statement, he noted that they are working with the Presidential Initiative on CNG to bring to conclusion the Nigerian Gas Vehicle Monitoring System to strengthen monitoring.
It added that the system will provide a centralized platform for the surveillance of CNG systems and ensure that only vehicles equipped with certified conversion kits can access gas at retail outlets, stressing that, it will also offer a database of approved CNG equipment and suppliers.
The director further reassured SON’s commitment to ensuring the safety of CNG use in Nigeria, encouraging all stakeholders to prioritize safety.
