Convert to compressed natural gas (CNG)! But now that one CNG cylinder has exploded, can Nigerians still trust the conversion to CNG, or better still, can they still trust the government to handle the installation?

The question of safety has been brought to the forefront as videos emerged on social media showing a car allegedly exploding in Benin, Edo State, while trying to refuel its CNG cylinder at a refill station.

The government has been campaigning for the switch to CNG, maybe to justify the recent hike in fuel prices and cost of transportation.

According to engineers, the use of CNG would extend the life of the engine with very low carbon because gas is a cleaner fuel compared to petrol. CNG burns cleaner than petrol, which can result in less engine wear and potentially longer engine life.

However, the real safety concern is in the installation of the conversion systems. If not properly done by a well-trained engineer, explosions will not be odd occurrences, but frequent ones, as the installation of CNG systems on vehicles requires delicate care.

And with the government spare-heading the conversion process, it must ensure its engineers are well-trained and patient enough to carry out the conversion process properly.

Photos source: Keeem