Ogun tasks gas retailers on safety

Towards preventing fire hazards, Ogun State government has tasked all Gas Retailers and Skid Owners on the need to follow due process before establishing their outlets.

Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning, Mrs Ronke Sokefun made this known at a day workshop organised by the Ministry for Gas Retailers and Skid Owners in the state held at the June 12 Cultural Centre Kuto, Abeokuta.

Sokefun said the development would apart from ensuring safety of lives and property, enable operators to get requisite approval for setting up such business premises by the Ministry, noting that the workshop with the theme ‘’Enhancing Safety in the Operations of Gas Retailers and Skid Owners” was apt considering the proliferation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retail outlets in the State.

“The Ministry will leave no stone unturned at ensuring that the procedure of approval is made less cumbersome. However, appropriate sanctions will be meted out on erring Gas Retailers and Skid owners who do not obtain the necessary Town Planning Approval”, Sokefun said.

In his remarks, Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy, Mr Taiwo Fagbemi urged the Gas Retailers and Skid owners to observe the business regulations by obtaining license which could guide them in the course of their operations.

On her part, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning, TP (Mrs.) Yetunde Dina said there was need for the Gas retailers and the state government to fashion out ways to make the operations of the retailers less hazardous to the environment.

The President, Nigeria Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), Mr Basil Ogbuanu said cooking gas was more safe and efficient yet must be properly handled for safety of lives and property, cautioning that flagrant violation of recommended regulations in the use of LPG product could be disastrous.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, the State Chairman, LPG, Skid Owners, Mr Surajudeen Adebisi Bada, appreciated the State government for putting in place an educative programme that would promote the safety of lives and property adding that the benefit of the workshop would change the face of the LPG business in the State.