By Motolani Oseni
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has released 80 approved standards for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for road vehicles and related appliances to the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI).
This was conveyed in a statement on Monday issued by Mrs. Foluso Bolaji, Director, of Public Relations in SON.
The statement explained that the development marked the beginning of the journey towards safer, more reliable, cheaper, environmentally sustainable, and most importantly alternative fuel utilisation across Nigeria for road vehicles and other CNG-related appliances.
Bolaji said that SON’s commitment to excellence and innovation in line with international best practices has culminated in developing and approving these standards, representing a significant milestone in the efforts to promote safety and quality in the energy sector.
According to her, “Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is a clean and efficient alternative to traditional fuels, with applications ranging from transportation to industrial processes.
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“However, its safe and effective utilisation requires adherence to rigorous standards that address production, storage, transportation and utilisation.
She further noted that the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI) is a component of the palliative intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and one of the many steps the president has taken to ensure every Nigerian enjoys his Renewed Hope Agenda.
She said, “PCNGI was inaugurated and quickly set up a committee comprising relevant regulatory agencies such as, the National Mid-Stream Down-stream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Ministry of Finance Incorporation (MOFI) and other key stakeholders.
“Every regulatory agency was given responsibility within its framework and tasked to quickly deliver hope to Nigerians by ensuring that Nigeria is ready to include CNG as an alternative fuel for vehicle propulsion.
“In furtherance to the above, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria developed Eighty (80) Standards and Guidelines for CNG road vehicles and related appliances that the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite approved.
“The Eighty (80) standards encompass a wide range of technical specifications and requirements, including CNG Conversion kit, Standards for electrical connections and vehicle Diagnostics, Standards for Road-worthiness and Vehicle safety,
Standards for CNG storage vessels, standards for CNG refuelling stations, and guidelines for installation of specific components to support the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicle propulsion.
“The development of these standards was a collaborative effort, bringing together industry experts, regulators, and stakeholders from across the country.”
Bolaji explained that adhering to these standards offers numerous benefits, such as enhanced safety for consumers, workers, and the environment; improved reliability and efficiency in CNG operations;
facilitated interoperability and compatibility within the CNG ecosystem and increased confidence among consumers, investors, and policymakers.
She implored all stakeholders to embrace them wholeheartedly and prioritise their effective implementation, adding that “by doing so, we can assure that the utilisation of CNG meets the highest standards of safety, quality and environmental sustainability and will provide the best alternative for fuel utilisation.”
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