The Nigeria Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (NLPGA) has expressed serious concerns over unprofessional conduct of recalibration of motor vehicles and power generating sets, warning that possible explosions may occur which could be disastrous.
The warning is coming following a move by many Nigerians to switch to gas as they perceive that prices of petroleum products may rise further as government mulls imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) of 7.5 per cent on petrol, diesel, kerosene and others.
In addition, the cost of erratic electricity is also set to rise following a reported planned upward review of electricity tariffs by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
This, experts noted, may be inevitable in light of the recent Naira floatation and how the higher exchange rate affects the commission’s Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO).
Although NLPGA president, Felix Ekundayo, explained that gas is safe to be used in generators, he warned that, patronising quacks may result in possible loss of life and property.
Ekundayo, at a media engagement to announce the association’s upcoming national conference said, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), commonly known as cooking gas, is similar to other fuels used regularly.
Represented by deputy president of the association, Ladi Falola, he said, LPG is a cleaner fuel compared to petrol, which is a fossil fuel.
While encouraging Nigerians to use gas for their generators, he stated that the perceived risk associated with using LPG for generators is more of a human handling issue rather than a problem with the fuel itself.
He explained that LPG, when handled properly, is as safe to use as petrol.
Explaining the process of switching between petrol and gas in generators, Ekundayo said, the change in the generator carburettor can facilitate the switch, adding that, some individuals may choose to retain the carburettor and add a converter, enabling the generator to run on both fuels, while other users may opt to use gas directly.
He, however, advised on the importance of making alterations to generators in a safe and approved manner.
The energy transition is unfolding in Nigeria and the NLPGA as it has done for several years at its past conferences shared the huge potentials and opportunities that lay with the usage of LPG, the president said, adding that, unification of the Naira with the new federal government’s foreign exchange policy will, in the long run, also help the gas industry with increased Foreign Direct Investments(FDIs) from investors who will be willing to exploit opportunities available in the sector with the full confidence of being able to repatriate their profits.
He added that, the need to further explore usage of LPG other than for cooking, will further be thrown open with the rising cost of old fuels like petrol and diesel, alongside the rapidly increasing traditional form of energy generation through electricity as Service Based Tariffs for electricity guided by NERC is expected to increase from reports based on reactions from floating of the Naira and a spike in inflation.
Ekundayo said, to be able to cope with the increased awareness and demand for LPG, the association is investing in Research and Development(R&D) for the industry, as the group, at its 2022 conference to mark the Domestic LPG Supply Scheme, formally unveiled its training resource center project which will provide over 30 areas of study in a curriculum based on the field of gas operations, usage safety and more.
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