The federal government has announced plans to cease granting licenses to gas companies lacking the capacity to construct pipelines for gas distribution, following a fatal explosion in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, conveyed this decision during a visit to Abeokuta for an on-the-spot assessment of the recent Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) explosion at Ita Oshin.
The tragic incident, which occurred on April 28, involved a CNG gas truck owned by Gasco Marine. The vehicle, suffering brake failure, collided with a road barricade and ignited, resulting in one fatality and vehicle damage.
Mr. Ekpo, representing President Bola Tinubu, stressed the urgency to transition from fossil fuel to CNG while directing the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) CEO, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, to refrain from licensing companies incapable of piping CNG to end-users.
Highlighting the dangers of virtual gas transportation, Mr. Ekpo emphasized the federal government’s commitment to developing pipelines for safe CNG transmission, aiming to prevent road accidents and safeguard lives and property.
He underlined the importance of reducing reliance on road transportation for gas delivery, particularly given the volatility of CNG, and advocated for enhanced infrastructure to facilitate pipeline-based transmission, thereby minimizing risks associated with road transport.
Despite the Abeokuta incident, Mr. Ekpo reaffirmed CNG’s viability as a superior alternative to petrol, urging Nigerians not to lose faith in the technology. He also stressed the necessity for gas companies to employ quality cylinders for gas distribution to mitigate safety hazards.
In alignment with these efforts, Mr. Ahmed assured the public of collaborative measures with relevant agencies to prevent similar incidents, including conducting training programs for truck drivers to enhance road safety standards and vehicle roadworthiness.
