The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles has responded to concerns following a vehicle explosion at a motor park in Kaduna, reassuring the public that compressed natural gas (CNG) remains safe when properly handled.
In a statement issued by its Head of Brand and Communications, Onyekachi Eke, on behalf of the initiative’s management, the organisation expressed concern over the incident and extended solidarity to those affected.
She explained that investigations are still ongoing and that no official cause of the explosion has been confirmed at this time. According to her, the initiative is collaborating with both state and federal authorities to determine what led to the incident.
“At this time, there is no confirmed information on the specific cause of the incident, as investigations are ongoing.
“The Initiative is working closely with relevant state and federal authorities to establish the facts.
“We wish to reassure the public that natural gas, when properly handled and deployed, has a strong safety record both globally and within Nigeria, with years of use across parts of the country without incidents of this nature.
“CNG remains a safe, reliable, and cost-effective fuel option, with the added benefit of supporting cleaner energy and improved air quality.
“We urge the public to remain calm and avoid speculation or sensational reporting while investigations are ongoing,” Eke said.
The initiative highlighted that CNG has been used for years without major incidents, both in Nigeria and internationally, and remains a dependable alternative fuel source.
It also reiterated its commitment to maintaining high safety standards across the sector, adding that it will continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure proper handling, deployment, and regulation of CNG systems.
Eke cautioned against speculation and sensational reporting while the investigation is ongoing, assuring the public that updates will be provided as more details become available.
The initiative, which was inaugurated in 2023 by President Bola Tinubu, aims to convert one million vehicles to CNG within three years. It is part of broader efforts to leverage Nigeria’s gas resources to reduce transportation costs and improve energy efficiency following the removal of fuel subsidies.
