Recent explosions involving vehicles converted to run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) have raised significant safety concerns, with Minister of State for Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo, attributing the incidents to improper conversions carried out by unlicensed technicians.
Speaking before a joint session of the National Assembly committees on petroleum (downstream), petroleum (upstream), and gas, Ekpo assured lawmakers that the CNG technology itself is safe for use in Nigeria, but cautioned that the explosions stemmed from conversions done outside government-approved centers.
“The vehicles involved in these incidents were not converted in certified facilities,” Ekpo said, emphasizing that roadside technicians, rather than accredited experts, were responsible for the conversions. He assured the public that comprehensive studies had been carried out to test the feasibility and safety of CNG as an alternative fuel source in Nigeria.
“There is a Presidential Committee on CNG that carried out extensive adaptability tests and research before the implementation of the CNG initiative,” Ekpo explained, alluding to the government’s commitment to ensuring the fuel’s safety. “Investigations revealed that CNG is indeed safe and sustainable for Nigeria, but the explosions occurred because the conversions were handled by uncertified technicians,” he added.
Despite the minister’s reassurances, lawmakers expressed concern about the rising frequency of such incidents, which have sparked fears among Nigerians about the safety of CNG-powered vehicles. This prompted a series of pointed questions from legislators regarding the government’s plans to mitigate the risks associated with CNG vehicle conversions.
Lawmakers Demand Action
Kafilat Ogbara, a member of the House of Representatives, questioned Ekpo about the specific measures the government is taking to prevent further explosions and protect Nigerians from unsafe conversions. “What steps are being taken to ensure that these vehicles are safely converted? There must be measures in place to regulate the process and protect public safety,” Ogbara urged during the session.
Echoing similar concerns, Senator Natasha Akpoti from Kogi Central raised doubts over the suitability of CNG technology for Nigeria’s unique environmental and infrastructural conditions. Akpoti pointed out that many of the vehicles being converted were originally designed for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, and that Nigeria’s harsh roads and high temperatures may present challenges not found in other regions where CNG technology is commonly used.
“There is a real danger in implementing a technology without thoroughly researching its compatibility with our local conditions,” Akpoti warned. “The vehicles being converted were designed to run on petrol, and Nigeria’s road networks and hot climate differ drastically from the cooler climates and smoother roads of countries where CNG has been widely adopted.”
The senator’s concerns highlighted a broader issue of how new energy technologies should be adapted to Nigeria’s unique context before being rolled out on a large scale.
Funding Shortcomings and Government Response
The National Assembly’s session also delved into concerns regarding the funding allocated for the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in the 2025 fiscal year. Lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with the meager allocation of N903 million for capital projects, citing it as insufficient to address the sector’s infrastructure needs, including the regulation of CNG conversion centers.
Henikien Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum, responded to these concerns by clarifying that the ministry’s role is primarily focused on policy formulation and not direct implementation of capital projects. He stressed that the government’s responsibility is to establish the necessary regulatory framework for CNG development rather than directly executing infrastructure projects.
“The allocation for the Ministry may seem small, but our role is not to execute contracts,” Lokpobiri said, “We are focused on setting policies and creating the environment for the sector to thrive.”
However, lawmakers were unconvinced, with some calling for increased funding to ensure that the CNG initiative is safely rolled out. They urged the federal government to prioritize the establishment of more government-approved CNG conversion centers, where vehicles can be properly adapted to run on the alternative fuel.
The Road Ahead for CNG in Nigeria
The CNG initiative has long been touted as a potential solution to Nigeria’s fuel crisis, with the government viewing it as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to the traditional petrol-run vehicles. However, the recent explosions have cast a shadow on the viability of this technology, and it remains to be seen whether the government can successfully address the challenges raised by lawmakers and experts alike.
As the discussions on the safety of CNG vehicles continue, the federal government is under increasing pressure to regulate the conversion process more strictly. Lawmakers have called for better oversight, ensuring that only certified technicians are allowed to carry out conversions, and that proper safety standards are maintained at all times.
The call for more research and adaptability tests, particularly considering Nigeria’s unique climate and road conditions, is becoming more urgent. Some stakeholders argue that the government should work closely with global experts to fine-tune the technology and develop solutions tailored to Nigeria’s specific needs.
While the government has assured the public that CNG is a safe and sustainable fuel option, only time will tell whether the initiative can succeed in the long term. With more incidents being reported, the government must move swiftly to regain public trust and ensure that the infrastructure needed to support a safe, efficient CNG sector is firmly in place.
