The National Assembly has frowned upon what it described as the avoidable explosions of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), urging the Federal Government to conduct thorough adaptability tests or research to ascertain the causes and recommend necessary adjustments.

The parliament noted the frequent explosions of some vehicles already converted from petrol-powered automobiles to CNG-powered ones.

This observation was made during the ongoing 2025 budget defense session by the Joint Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Petroleum (Upstream), and Gas on Friday in Abuja, where the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources was represented by the two Ministers of State.

The Assembly also decried the N903 million earmarked for capital project execution by the Ministry of Petroleum in the 2025 fiscal year.

A member of the Committee, Hon. Hafilat Ogbala, after expressing concern, sought an explanation from the Minister of State for Gas, Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, regarding the way forward to address the frequent explosions of vehicles. Similarly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan inquired whether adaptability tests or research had been conducted before implementing the CNG initiative in the country.

She stated: “There is danger in adapting any form of technology without proper research or testing for its suitability.

“The vehicles being converted into CNG-powered automobiles in Nigeria were originally built for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). This is aside from the impact of bumpy or bad roads here, unlike the smooth roads in countries where CNG technology is imported from.

“Also, was the factor of Nigeria’s hot climate considered before the importation of the CNG idea?”

In response, the Minister of State for Gas explained that a Presidential Committee on CNG had carried out the necessary adaptability tests or research before operationalizing the CNG initiative in Nigeria.

He stated that investigations conducted by his Ministry, in collaboration with the Presidential Committee, revealed that all CNG-converted vehicles that had exploded were not converted at certified centers.

“CNG has come to stay in Nigeria. Those vehicles that exploded were not converted at certified centers but by roadside technicians,” he said.

Regarding the N903 million capital allocation for the Ministry in 2025, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, informed the Senator Agom Jarigbe-led Committee that the projection is small because the Ministry focuses more on policy formulation than on contract execution.

CNG: NASS frowns at avoidable explosion of vehicles