The
Department of Petroleum Resources has warned against distribution of
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (cooking gas), saying unlicensed distributions
will be severely punished.
The Operations Controller, Lagos Zonal
Office, DPR, Mr. Olugbenga Kuku, who condemned the practice in Lagos, on
Thursday, lamented that many marketers stored and sold LPG without
valid licences were contravening the law.
He spoke during the annual meeting of
the DPR and LPG operators/stakeholders, insisting all retail outlets for
LPG must be licensed.
He said, “The Department wishes to
reiterate its advice to LPG plant owners who continue to sell products
to unlicensed distributors and bulk end users despite directives against
this practice. Be informed that, henceforth, all violators of this
regulation which stipulates selling and distribution of any petroleum
product to licensed companies only will be severely sanctioned.
“We want to use this medium to direct
all LPG plant operators to ensure that resell points have valid licence.
Our inspectors have been directed to ensure compliance.”
The DPR also banned truck-to-cylinder and cylinder-to-cylinder dispensing of cooking gas, saying they were illegal.
Kuku said, “The dispensing of LPG by
Bobtail trucks is illegal and cylinder-to-cylinder refilling is
dangerous and unlawful. Perpetrators, if caught, shall face appropriate
sanction.”
Kuku complained that some LPG operators
had not been renewing their operating licences and warned that DPR
officials would start constant visits to plants to enforce compliance.
He said, “In as much as we encourage the
proliferation of LPG plants, prospective plant owners must follow due
process to obtain all requisite approvals before the commencement of any
upgrade or modification of plant.”
Our correspondent had reported on August 1 that the DPR would embark on a nationwide LPG facility audit in September.
The oil and gas regulatory body said the
nationwide facility audit of licenced plants was aimed at ensuring
compliance with statutory provisions on operational safety.
“The Department will embark on
operational facility audit of licensed plants starting from next month
to ensure strict compliance to statutory guidelines and standards,” it
added.
The Head, Gas, DPR, Mr. O.C
Okparaojiako, also said, “Peddling of gas is wrong. Only kerosene is
allowed to be peddled. It is operationally safe to sell gas from trucks
to cylinders.”
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