The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has issued a public warning about the dangers of using uncertified and substandard Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders.
This alert follows a recent explosion at the NIPCO CNG Refueling Station in Benin City, Edo State, which left several people injured and caused significant damage to vehicles.
In a statement, SON emphasized its commitment to ensuring public safety, announcing strict regulatory measures to verify that all CNG equipment and conversion kits meet safety standards before being approved for use.
“Our conformity assessment schemes are designed to prevent the import, manufacture, and use of substandard products,” the organisation said.
SON also highlighted its collaboration with the Presidential Initiative on CNG and other government agencies to develop the Nigerian Gas Vehicle Monitoring System (NGVMS). This new platform will enable centralized monitoring of CNG systems, ensuring that only vehicles fitted with certified conversion kits can refuel at gas stations.
The NGVMS will also maintain a database of certified CNG equipment and suppliers, which SON says will help reduce risks linked to substandard installations. The organisation hopes this system will improve safety and provide greater oversight in the growing CNG sector.