The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV) has warned motorists against using cylinders not designed or certified for compressed natural gas storage.

The Pi-CNG & EV issued the warning in a statement signed by its Head of Brand and Communications, Onyekachi Eke, on Monday in Abuja.

She said that the use of unauthorised cylinders or illegal conversion poses great risk to lives and property.

Ms Eke said she received with concern a report of an ugly incident involving a cylinder fitted to a vehicle at one of the filling stations along Airport Road, Abuja, on Sunday.

She said that, based on information from the filling station management, the cylinder was not designed or certified for storing CNG.

“The cylinder exploded during refuelling at the station. The driver of the vehicle was subsequently apprehended and is expected to face the full weight of the law for the use of an unauthorised cylinder, which endangered lives and property.

“This incident again highlights the danger of using unauthorised cylinders and components for CNG conversion.

“Pi-CNG & EV has repeatedly warned motorists that only cylinders specifically manufactured, tested and certified for automotive CNG use should be installed in vehicles,” she said.

Ms Eke noted that a cylinder is not a CNG cylinder simply because it can contain gas, adding that improvising with cylinders designed for other uses violates approved safety guidelines.

“Cylinders designed for other purposes should not be converted, adapted or improvised for the storage of CNG.

“Doing so is going against approved safety standards and poses a serious risk to lives and property,” she said.

She warned that using substandard, fabricated, expired, or unapproved cylinders puts vehicle owners, passengers, technicians, station personnel, and other members of the public at risk.

She said Pi-CNG & EV has continued to work with relevant regulatory and standards agencies to strengthen safety across the CNG value chain.

“We have also repeatedly urged motorists to resist the temptation to patronise unqualified technicians or use cheaper, unapproved components in an attempt to reduce the cost of conversion.

“The rapid growth of Nigeria’s CNG market makes compliance even more important.

“Every conversion must meet prescribed safety standards, and every cylinder installed in a vehicle must be manufactured and certified specifically for automotive CNG use,” she said.

Ms Eke called on vehicle owners and commercial operators to use only National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC)-accredited conversion centres and Standards Organisation of Nigeria-certified CNG kits and cylinders.

She urged Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)-licensed refuelling station operators to remain vigilant and ensure that appropriate safety and verification procedures were followed before dispensing CNG.

She added that the Pi-CNG & EV would continue to work with its partners and relevant authorities to strengthen compliance, public awareness, and safety across Nigeria’s growing CNG ecosystem.

(NAN)