Members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday underscored the need to provide legislative backing to the presidential initiative for the conversion of vehicles from premium motor spirit (PMS) to compressed natural gas (CNG).
The resolution was passed as a sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Fuad Laguda, who solicited for the House intervention.
In his lead debate, Hon. Fuad observed that the laudable initiative by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to reduce transportation costs and ensure cleaner air by switching from petroleum products to CNG has been tainted by the activities of artisans seeking cheap alternatives to manufacture and install the CNG tanks, which has led to loss of lives from explosions, such as was the case in Edo State.
He therefore called for legislation that will preserve the integrity of the presidential initiative by ensuring a safe standard of the conversion exercise and ensuring due certification needs to be obtained before being allowed to operate in the conversion system.
Hon. Fuad called for the clamping down of those employing substandard materials for the production of CNG cylinders and ensuring safety standards are upheld.
While commending the federal government’s efforts on the CNG initiative, he called for the enactment of legislation that will ensure the process meets international standards and stamp out unauthorised dealers.
Hon. Fuad further called on the House Committee on Gas Resources as well as that on Industry to ensure safety and quality standards are maintained within the CNG conversion system.
He also reiterated the need for the training and certification of workshop operators seeking to practice conversion to CNG for safety purposes.
Following the adoption of the motion, it was referred to the joint committees on gas resources, industries, safety standards and regulations, science engineering, and science and technology for further legislative action.
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