Gas explosion: DPR sensitizes LPG plant operators

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has engaged operators of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) plants in a sensitization meeting to ensure safety for the end users in Kaduna.

Recall that eight persons died while four others sustained injuries and property worth millions were destroyed in an acetylene gas explosion earlier this month at Sabo Tasha in Kaduna.

The State government after the incident banned the retail of cooking gas within residential areas. The DPR North West Zonal Operational Controller, Isa Tafida, while speaking at the meeting yesterday in Kaduna, said the relevant agencies are taking necessary regulatory measures to ensure only licensed operators traded the commodity.

Tafida said the recent gas explosion in Sabo Tasha and the proliferation of LPG plants and retailers in Kaduna informed the need to enlighten stakeholders on the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in dispensing gas to consumers.

“LPG is an excellent environmentally friendly fuel with hundreds of millions of satisfied consumers in every part of the world.

“However, like all forms of energy, LPG is potentially hazardous if mishandled. Thus, the need to ensure adherence to standard operating procedure in handling the commodity.

“As the department desires to actualise the Federal Government aspiration of LPG penetration, prevent indiscriminate cutting of trees and checkmate desert encroachment, we call for more investments in the LPG market,” he said

Tafida,

however,

warned the plant operators against the misuse of their license saying, “DPR will not hesitate to sanction and even revoke the license of any company operating against the approved standard operating procedure.”

He said the agency had conducted 94 inspections across the 38 licensed LPG plants and in the process sealed five plants for defaulting.

In a presentation, the Assistant Chief Electrical, Gas Monitoring, Baba Terab said gas leaks, heat, valves, and poor earthing system are possible causes of accidents or gas explosions at gas outlets.