SON unveils 80 new Nigerian industrial standards for CNG vehicles

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has presented 80 newly approved Nigerian Industrial Standards for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) road vehicles and related appliances to the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI). This was disclosed in a statement by Mrs Foluso Bolaji, Director of Public Relations at SON, who emphasised the significance of this development, stating, “this marks the beginning of the journey towards safer, more reliable, cheaper, environmentally sustainable, and most importantly alternative fuel utilisation across our nation for road vehicles and other CNG-related appliances.” Mrs Bolaji further highlighted SON’s dedication to excellence and innovation in alignment with international best practices, underscoring that these standards represent a pivotal milestone in promoting safety and quality within the energy sector.

She said “compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is recognised as a clean and efficient alternative to traditional fuels, with diverse applications from transportation to industrial processes. However, ensuring its safe and effective utilisation necessitates strict adherence to comprehensive standards covering production, storage, transportation, and utilisation.” The PCNGI, a key component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s palliative intervention and Renewed Hope Agenda has set the stage for integrating CNG as an alternative fuel for vehicle propulsion. The collaborative effort involving regulatory agencies like the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, the Nigerian Institute for Transport Technology, the National Automotive Design and Development Council, the Ministry of Finance, Incorporated, and others underscores the government’s commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions. The development of these 80 standards by SON encompasses crucial technical specifications and requirements such as CNG conversion kits, electrical connections, road-worthiness standards, CNG storage vessels, refuelling stations guidelines, and installation components for CNG vehicle propulsion.

According to Bolaji, “embracing these standards offers a multitude of benefits including enhanced safety for consumers and the environment, improved operational efficiency in CNG systems, enhanced interoperability within the CNG ecosystem, and increased confidence among stakeholders.” She urged all stakeholders to fully embrace and prioritise the effective implementation of these standards, adding “that adherence to these guidelines will ensure that CNG utilisation upholds the highest standards of safety, quality, and environmental sustainability – providing a superior alternative for fuel consumption in Nigeria’s transportation sector.”