Business & Strategy

CNG Safety Alert: SON Issues Warning Against Substandard Cylinders

Written by Agboola Oluwafemi on November 4, 2024

News Views: 311

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has issued a cautionary notice to the populace regarding the perilous use of inferior and unapproved Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders.

This alert follows a lamentable incident involving a CNG cylinder explosion at the NIPCO CNG Refueling Station in Benin City, Edo State.

In an official communiqué, the organisation revealed that it has implemented stringent and effective regulatory frameworks to guarantee that all CNG apparatus and conversion kits comply with established standards prior to being authorized for public utilization.

“The conformity assessment schemes are designed to prevent the import, manufacturing, and use of substandard products,” it stated.

Moreover, SON has announced its collaboration with the Presidential Initiatives on CNG and pertinent governmental entities to finalize the Nigerian Gas Vehicle Monitoring System (NGVMS). This platform will facilitate centralized oversight and surveillance of CNG infrastructures, ensuring that only vehicles fitted with certified conversion kits are permitted access to gas at retail stations.

“The NGVMS will also offer a database of approved CNG equipment and suppliers which will go a long way in preventing the substandard installations and further mitigating the associated risks.”