The National Assembly has urged the Federal Government to conduct thorough adaptability tests on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel source for vehicles in Nigeria.
This call comes amidst concerns over avoidable explosions of vehicles converted to CNG.
During a 2025 budget defense session, the National Assembly joint committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Petroleum (Upstream), and Gas, expressed concerns over the safety of CNG-converted vehicles. Hon. Kafilat Ogbara sought explanations from the Minister of State for Gas, Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, on the measures being taken to prevent such explosions.
Senator Natasha Akpoti (PDP Kogi Central) further emphasized the importance of conducting adaptability tests on CNG, citing the differences in road conditions and climate between Nigeria and countries where CNG technology is imported from.
In response, the Minister of State for Gas assured that a Presidential Committee on CNG had conducted adaptability tests before implementing the CNG initiative in Nigeria. He attributed the explosions to vehicles being converted by un certified technicians, rather than certified centers.
Additionally, the National Assembly expressed dissatisfaction with the N903 million capital vote allocated to the Ministry of Petroleum in the 2025 fiscal year. The Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Henikien Lokpobiri, explained that the projection is small due to the ministry’s focus on policy formulation rather than contracts execution.
(The Authority)
