The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has cautioned the public about the dangers of using uncertified Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders, following a recent explosion at the NIPCO CNG Refueling Station in Benin City, Edo State.
In a statement released on Sunday, SON revealed that initial investigations showed the cylinder used for the vehicle involved in the explosion did not meet approved CNG standards.
The organisation emphasised that its regulatory framework ensures all CNG equipment, including conversion kits, are certified for public use.
It noted that its conformity assessment schemes are designed to prevent the import, manufacture, and use of substandard products.
SON also highlighted its collaboration with the Presidential Initiative on CNG and other government agencies to finalize the Nigerian Gas Vehicle Monitoring System (NGVMS), a platform for centralised monitoring of CNG systems.
It noted that the system will ensure that only vehicles equipped with certified conversion kits can access gas at retail outlets and will feature a database of approved equipment and suppliers to prevent faulty installations and reduce safety risks.
Additionally, it reassured the public that safety remains a priority in its CNG regulatory efforts.
