The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Resources Authority (NMDPRA) has expressed concern over the proliferation of illegal Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) outlets, vowing to shutdown unregistered operators in the ongoing clampdown across Akwa Ibom State.
The coordinator of NMDPRA, Barr Ikechukwu Eseka, stated this when the state commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Bakshar Hussaini, paid him a courtesy visit in his Eket local government area office.
“We have started enforcement of LPG retailers that embark on illegal decanting of LPG, filling stations, LPG refilling plants and other downstream operations in the state.
“We are currently working on the illegal proliferation of decanting of LPG in the state; gas is very volatile, some of them are using gas that is not meant for the purpose,” Eseka said.
The coordinator directed that gas plants owners should not load gas to people who don’t have licenses of NMDPRA in the state, explaining that “decanting of gas from cylinder to cylinder is an illegal activity which is punishable.”
He, therefore, called on marketers to register or renew their licenses before operating LPG businesses in the state.
“We used the opportunity to talk on the aspects of the downstream which has to do with our enforcement, sealing of filling stations and those who are using diesel for industrial purposes that are yet to register with NMDPRA.
“We have also commenced engagement with individuals and organisations using storage tanks that are over 500 litres, to come and register with the authority in the state,” he stressed.
Eseka thanked the NSCDC commandant for coming to re-strategise and collaborate with the authorities in the state for effective regulation of unwholesome practices by LPG operators.
Responding, the NSCDC state commandant explained that the purpose of his visit was for effective synergy with the NMDPRA on how to checkmate indiscriminate decanting of LPG in the state.
