A compressed natural gas (CNG)-retrofitted Toyota Camry exploded while being refuelled at a NIPCO Gas Filling Station along Airport Road in Abuja.
Gatekeepers News reports that the incident occurred at about 10:30am on September 13. According to the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), no death or injury was recorded in the incident involving the vehicle, with registration number MAP-962 JU.
NADDC said preliminary findings indicated that the vehicle may have been fitted with an additional cylinder that was neither approved nor suitable for CNG use.
The council said investigations were still ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the explosion and determine the exact cause.
NADDC stressed that CNG conversions must be carried out using approved components by professionals at certified conversion centres. It also advised motorists to ensure that CNG systems are properly tested and maintained in line with established safety standards.
The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV) also warned motorists against using cylinders that were not specifically manufactured, tested and certified for automotive CNG.
The initiative said the use of unauthorised, substandard or improvised cylinders could endanger vehicle owners, passengers, technicians, filling-station workers and other members of the public. It urged motorists to patronise NADDC-accredited conversion centres and use certified CNG kits and cylinders.
NADDC said it was working with relevant authorities to strengthen regulatory oversight and compliance monitoring across CNG conversion activities nationwide.
