- Safiu Kehinde
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (PCNG) Initiative has spoken over possible cause of the fuel tanker explosion which occurred on Wednesday evening along Karu bridge, Abuja.
Speculations have emerged over the cause of the incident which had left many dead and over 30 vehicles destroyed as some claimed the tanker that exploded is a converted vehicle using CNG.
This has again raised fear over the safety of the CNG.
Reacting in a statement issued on Wednesday, the PCNG dismissed the speculations, stressing that preliminary investigation indicated that the accident is most likely caused by brake failure.
The initiative urged members of the public await the outcome of a thorough investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.
While expressing its condolences with the family of the explosion victims, the PCNG initiative reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the safe and sustainable use of CNG as a cleaner energy alternative.
The statement read in part; “The PCNG Initiative is deeply saddened by the tragic accident on the Karu Bridge between Kugbo and Nyanya in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this devastating incident.
“While initial reports suggest the involvement of a Bi-Fueled Petrol Tanker, we urge the public to await the outcome of a thorough investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.
“Preliminary accounts indicate a possible brake system failure leading to the explosion of the petrol storage tank, but it is crucial to avoid speculation until all facts are established.
“The PCNG Initiative remains committed to promoting the safe and sustainable use of CNG as a cleaner energy alternative. We will continue to work closely with relevant authorities, including the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Fire Service, and other stakeholders, to ensure that safety standards are upheld and incidents like this are prevented in the future.
“We commend the swift response of the emergency responders, including FEMA, the Nigeria Police Force, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), who are on the ground working tirelessly to rescue victims and manage the situation”