Mohammed Shosanya
NIPCO Plc,has said that the cylinder installed in the vehicle that exploded on Wednesday at its gas station in Eyean,Benin City,was a fake,fabricated, substandard unit not designed for Compressed Natural Gas
The company conveyed this in a statement,saying the vehicle exploded
after filling with just around 4 SCM of gas
Its preliminary findings showed that the explosion occurred when a vehicle arrived at the station for CNG refueling.
The driver fled the scene immediately after the incident,the statement said on Friday,adding that no fatalities were recorded,but two individuals sustained injuries.
One person suffered a leg injury, and another sustained an eye injury,it confirmed,while both victims were promptly rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
It added:”Based on the attending doctor’s recommendation,one of the individuals will require surgery at a different hospital. Our team is ensuring they receive the necessary care and treatment.
“The incidence has been reported at the local police station and the police has taken the custody of fake cylinder pieces and the car involved in the incident”.
The company said,the incident underscores the dangers of unauthorized CNG installations by unqualified technicians using non-compliant cylinders, which it has always campaigned against.
The company also disclosed that it’s cooperating fully with the relevant authorities to prevent a recurrence and reinforce its commitment to public safety across all operations.
The operations at the affected station are suspended to express the company’s solidarity with those impacted by the incident,the statement further quoted.
It added:”We remain resolute in our efforts to provide safe and reliable infrastructure for the growth of CNG as an alternative automotive fuel in Nigeria. We assure the public and our valued customers that safety remains paramount in all our operations.
“NIPCO Gas Limited will continue to uphold the highest industry standards to ensure the well-being of all stakeholders.Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available”.