By Francis Ogwo
For engaging in illegal operations, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) reportedly sealed 85 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) plants in Lagos from January 2020 to October 2020.
The Zonal Operations Controller Lagos, DPR, Ayorinde Cardoso disclosed this while having a chat with at a public sensitization exercise on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, on safe usage of LPG.
Reports say the move is coming at a time of several reported cases of explosions by gas plants during the year in Lagos State resulting in huge fatalities and destructions of properties. Many of the plants were said to have either been operating in residential areas or without approval.
According to Cardoso, the move is expected the curb the frequent occurrence of gas explosion in the state, while adding that the LPG plants were shut down due to their inability to comply with international safety standards and also operating without approval or licence from the DPR.
He (Cardoso) added that the clampdown on those illegal plants will be a regular said the agency will sensitize the public on the importance of safe usage and distribution of gas.
He said, ‘’We are doing this sensitization to tell the public that it is safe to use gas. It is an efficient and clean source of energy if used appropriately.’’
‘’We want to bring the gas sector to the citizens and deepen utilization of LPG for job creation and national development which is the aspiration of the Federal Government. We will be doing this exercise continuously in various parts of the state.’’
Recall that pockets of explosions had rocked the state even as the public continuously oppose the siting of gas plants within residential areas.
