The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has issued a stern warning against the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) containment, emphasizing that only certified CNG cylinders are fit for vehicle conversions.
This warning comes in the wake of a recent explosion at a NIPCO CNG refueling station in Benin City, which left three people critically injured.
Preliminary investigations by SON revealed that the cylinder involved in the incident was fabricated by an unauthorized roadside welder, failing to meet the stringent safety standards required for CNG containment.
The explosion, which caused significant damage, has raised concerns about the widespread misuse of gas cylinders for purposes they were not designed for.
Speaking on the incident, SON Director-General, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, reinforced the importance of using only certified CNG cylinders to prevent such disasters.
“Motorists must ensure they visit certified CNG conversion centres to guarantee their safety and the safety of others,” Okeke said. He further explained that SON has established strict guidelines, codes of practice, and safety standards to protect lives and property.
Dr. Okeke highlighted that the cylinder involved in the explosion had welded seams, a feature suitable for LPG containment but dangerously inadequate for CNG.
“While LPG cylinders operate at a maximum pressure of 30 bar, CNG cylinders are designed to handle pressures between 200 and 300 bar,” he explained.
This stark difference in operating pressures underscores the risks of using the wrong type of cylinder for CNG.
The SON Director-General also noted that CNG presents fewer risks compared to petrol, as it is lighter than air and disperses quickly in the event of a leak, reducing the chances of an explosion.
“CNG-powered vehicles are statistically 30 to 40 percent safer than petrol-powered vehicles,” he added. He also pointed out that certified CNG cylinders come equipped with advanced safety features such as leak detection systems, automatic shut-off valves, and burst discs, making them far more resistant to punctures or other failures than traditional petrol tanks.
Dr. Okeke reaffirmed SON’s commitment to supporting President Tinubu’s initiative aimed at providing affordable and safer energy alternatives for Nigeria’s transportation sector.
“We will not allow unscrupulous individuals to undermine the government’s efforts to promote access to quality energy for the automobile sector,” he emphasized.
The CNG initiative, according to Okeke, is a strategic plan to boost economic growth by improving the transportation of people and goods while providing a cheaper, safer alternative to petrol.
As part of this effort, SON has introduced 88 industry standards to attract investment and ensure quality service delivery across the sector.
In a bid to enhance monitoring and prevent the use of substandard equipment, SON is partnering with the Presidential Initiative on CNG and other relevant government bodies to implement the Nigerian Gas Vehicle Monitoring System (NGVMS).
“The NGVMS will provide centralised surveillance of CNG systems and ensure that only vehicles equipped with certified conversion kits can access gas at retail outlets,” Dr. Okeke explained.
This system will also maintain a database of approved equipment and suppliers, ensuring that only compliant products are in circulation.
Assuring Nigerians of SON’s dedication to safety, Dr. Okeke said, “Our priority is to uphold the highest standards. We have well-trained staff to offer technical support to investors, ensuring that Nigerians get value for their money and experience a safe and reliable CNG conversion process.”
