By Francis Sadhere Warri
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has shut down 19 illegal Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Category D cooking gas outlets in Delta State over the past two weeks.
Victor Ohwodiasa, the NMDPRA Coordinator for Delta State, disclosed this to journalists in Warri on Tuesday, revealing that the illegal outlets were located in areas including Orerokpe, Ogwashi-Ukwu, Warri, and other surrounding towns.
According to Ohwodiasa, the outlets were sealed for various violations, such as operating without the necessary approvals and being situated in unsafe locations.
Among the notable infractions, he highlighted a five-metric-tonne refilling plant in Ogwashi-Ukwu that was located near high-tension power lines and on a right of way, which violated safety regulations.
“We discovered about 28 illegal outlets during the operation. Some of them were incorrectly sited, and we assessed whether they could be regularized. However, many of them were found to be in unsafe locations,” Ohwodiasa said.
He also pointed out that some of the operators were involved in “decanting” — the dangerous practice of transferring gas from one cylinder to another. This practice, he emphasized, is strictly prohibited by the NMDPRA, which mandates a safe “bottle swap” system where customers exchange empty gas cylinders for filled ones.
The NMDPRA Coordinator emphasized that the ongoing enforcement exercise is not meant to harm small-scale gas business owners but to ensure they operate in a secure environment, thus preventing potential accidents, including deadly fire outbreaks.
“We are focused on safety, and we urge landlords to avoid leasing space to Category D LPG operators who are involved in illegal activities. Our goal is to prevent any actions that could lead to devastating consequences,” he warned.
He further illustrated the dangers of improperly located gas outlets by citing examples of gas storage facilities near hazardous areas, such as welding workshops or food vendors using open flames.
Ohwodiasa stressed the risk of catastrophic fires in such circumstances, warning that the NMDPRA would continue its crackdown on unauthorized gas businesses to protect public safety.
The regulatory authority has also vowed to continue monitoring and enforcing compliance across the state, with violators facing legal consequences.
Ohwodiasa appealed to the public to report any illegal gas operations to the NMDPRA, urging greater community involvement in ensuring safety.
“We are committed to ensuring that lives and property are safeguarded. If an illegal operator does not value their life, it is our responsibility to prevent them from endangering others,” he said.
Ohwodiasa also acknowledged the support of the NMDPRA’s Chief Executive, Engr. Ahmed Farouk, in enhancing the regulatory operations in the state, and reassured that the NMDPRA would continue to engage with stakeholders through annual meetings and public awareness campaigns on safe gas handling practices.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has shut down 19 illegal Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Category D cooking gas outlets in Delta State over the past two weeks.
Victor Ohwodiasa, the NMDPRA Coordinator for Delta State, disclosed this to journalists in Warri on Tuesday, revealing that the illegal outlets were located in areas including Orerokpe, Ogwashi-Ukwu, Warri, and other surrounding towns.
According to Ohwodiasa, the outlets were sealed for various violations, such as operating without the necessary approvals and being situated in unsafe locations.
Among the notable infractions, he highlighted a five-metric-tonne refilling plant in Ogwashi-Ukwu that was located near high-tension power lines and on a right of way, which violated safety regulations.
“We discovered about 28 illegal outlets during the operation. Some of them were incorrectly sited, and we assessed whether they could be regularized. However, many of them were found to be in unsafe locations,” Ohwodiasa said.
He also pointed out that some of the operators were involved in “decanting” — the dangerous practice of transferring gas from one cylinder to another. This practice, he emphasized, is strictly prohibited by the NMDPRA, which mandates a safe “bottle swap” system where customers exchange empty gas cylinders for filled ones.
The NMDPRA Coordinator emphasized that the ongoing enforcement exercise is not meant to harm small-scale gas business owners but to ensure they operate in a secure environment, thus preventing potential accidents, including deadly fire outbreaks.
“We are focused on safety, and we urge landlords to avoid leasing space to Category D LPG operators who are involved in illegal activities. Our goal is to prevent any actions that could lead to devastating consequences,” he warned.
He further illustrated the dangers of improperly located gas outlets by citing examples of gas storage facilities near hazardous areas, such as welding workshops or food vendors using open flames.
Ohwodiasa stressed the risk of catastrophic fires in such circumstances, warning that the NMDPRA would continue its crackdown on unauthorized gas businesses to protect public safety.
The regulatory authority has also vowed to continue monitoring and enforcing compliance across the state, with violators facing legal consequences.
Ohwodiasa appealed to the public to report any illegal gas operations to the NMDPRA, urging greater community involvement in ensuring safety.
“We are committed to ensuring that lives and property are safeguarded. If an illegal operator does not value their life, it is our responsibility to prevent them from endangering others,” he said.
Ohwodiasa also acknowledged the support of the NMDPRA’s Chief Executive, Engr. Ahmed Farouk, in enhancing the regulatory operations in the state, and reassured that the NMDPRA would continue to engage with stakeholders through annual meetings and public awareness campaigns on safe gas handling practices.
