AdminBy Favour Nnanke Monday
The Presidential Initiative for Compressed Natural Gas (P-CNGi) has reacted to reports on an alleged CNG-powered BRT bus fire incident in Lagos on Thursday.
A Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicle, allegedly powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), caught fire on the Third Mainland Bridge, on Thursday, causing severe traffic disruptions and raising new concerns about the safety of CNG-powered public transport in Lagos.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelEyewitnesses said the fire broke out suddenly, forcing passengers to flee as the bus was engulfed in flames.
The fire occurred amidst heightened concerns over fuel safety, following a series of deadly tanker explosions across Nigeria in recent times.
Traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge remained heavily impacted throughout the day. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire and are expected to release more details soon.
However, the PCNGi in a statement on its X via its X handle said the BRT bus that went into flames was not powered with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
“We wish to state that, the BRT bus in question was not powered by CNG as at the moment PICNG has only deployed CNG-powered small buses within the city, and none of our vehicles have been involved in any such incident,” PCNGi stated.
At least 100 lives have been lost in several tanker-related accidents in January alone, exacerbating public unease about the safety of transportation infrastructure and fuel handling. Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd and its partners launched five mini-Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plants in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, aimed at deepening domestic gas use under the Federal Government’s Gas Revolution Agenda.
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However, the series of explosions and the BRT fire raise uncertainty in public confidence and significant questions about the country’s preparedness for the shift to gas-powered vehicles and the state of safety protocols.
The incident has sparked a wave of criticism on social media, with many Nigerians questioning the readiness and effectiveness of the Nigeria Fire Service in handling such emergencies. On Twitter, several users voiced their frustration, with some even questioning the credibility of Celebrity CNG Ambassadors who have promoted gas-powered vehicles as a safer, eco-friendly alternative.
Monday is an intern at Prime Business Africa.
