The President of the National Road Travellers and Motor Parks Association of Nigeria (NARTPAN), Ilyasu Haruna-Muhammed, has expressed condolences to the Federal Government, victims, and families of those who lost their lives in the tragic Abuja explosion that occurred in Karu on Wednesday.

In a statement, Haruna-Muhammed prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery for those receiving treatment in various hospitals across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising medical treatment for the victims and ordering a thorough investigation into the incident.

Commenting on the explosion, he cited preliminary reports indicating that brake failure and poor vehicle conditions contributed to the disaster.

He noted that the impact of the explosion could have been minimised if traffic congestion in the area had been less severe.

The NARTPAN President further explained that the location typically experiences heavy traffic. According to him, a tanker was parked in the area when a vehicle with a locally fabricated compressed natural gas (CNG) system exploded, triggering an inferno that resulted in significant loss of lives and property.

He revealed that over 30 cars were burnt in the fire, with multiple casualties, as the incident occurred during peak hours when workers were returning home.

Haruna-Muhammed urged the Federal Government to prioritize the safety of lives and property, raising concerns over the growing use of cooking gas as a substitute for CNG in vehicles, which he described as extremely hazardous for motorists and road users.
He advised the government not to rely solely on the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for safety regulations, emphasising that a broader approach is necessary.
Highlighting a possible solution, Haruna-Muhammed disclosed that NARTPAN has partnered with Sahamitr Pressure Container, a globally recognised manufacturer of automotive LPG and CNG systems based in Thailand and owned by King Ramathan of Thailand.

He encouraged the Federal Government to collaborate with the multinational company to ensure the supply of original and safe CNG cylinders.

Haruna-Muhammed urged authorities to learn from countries like South Africa, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and several European nations that have successfully partnered with Sahamitr Pressure Container to enhance road safety.

He further stressed that the thickness of a CNG cylinder differs significantly from that of a cooking gas cylinder, calling for more public awareness on the matter.

Additionally, Haruna-Muhammed appealed to the Federal Government to ensure that fire service stations are strategically positioned along highways, similar to police checkpoints, to enhance emergency response.

Haruna-Muhammed also urged the government to work closely with NARTPAN, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the fire service to prevent future occurrences of such tragic incidents.

In the same vein, he called on the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and his ministry to collaborate with NARTPAN, FRSC, and fire service officials, emphasising that these stakeholders play a critical role in ensuring road safety.