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Misturah Olatunji
Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in conjunction with the Cooking Gas Skid Proprietors Association of Nigeria (COGASPAN), has warned gas operators to adhere strictly to safety tips.
The authority said the precautions are to enable it’s operators to avoid further occurrence of gas explosion.
The NMDPRA and COGASPAN gave this advice while addressing gas operators at a one-day interactive workshop session at the IPMAN Office on Thursday.
The Head of the Department of Petroleum Regulators, Mr, Adebowale Oluwafemi, lamented that some gas explosion that occurred in the state in past years could have been avoided if proper safety measures were put in place.
He reiterated that the body is seeking to work closely with all operators to reduce risks and avoid strict actions such as siezure of facilities which would be taken as a punishment against erring members.
Mr. Adebowale said that the Federal Government has ordered that facilities are well fenced and located in distant areas from residential areas.
He said, “the federal government is saying that a fence must be erected round any facility as long as it takes up to half a ton of gas.
“Distance is very important in gas operation business. At least a 1000 square meter land should be acquired for the operation of 1 to 5 tons of gas, while 5 tons and above must be operated in not less than 30 meters from public properties such as houses, schools, church etc, and the tank must be at 7.5 meters away from the fence of the facility.
“The government would not condone any gas operating facility that does not adhere to it’s rules.
“However, we are in talks with your management to see if we can give you 2 to 3 months of grace to relocate your facility if your facility is not operating in accordance with the rules.”
Also speaking at the workshop, The Chairman of the Cooking Gas Skid Proprietors Association of Nigeria (COGASPAN), Alhaji Abdulrauf Abekunle appreciated the speakers and guests for being part of the sensitisation program.
He said the program was organized to foster mutual relationship and ensure that rules guiding the operation in the state are strictly adhered to.
He added that the COGASPAN has contributed to the lives of citizens in many aspects such as, “economic growth; creating job opportunities for large population of citizenry; ensuring high level of safety measure at our gas station; creation of high class of operation for her members in other strata of gas business”, Adekunle stated
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