…Say it’s Illegal to build LPG skid plant in unauthorised locations
Some residents around CMD area of Magodo Brooks Estate in Lagos state have raised concern over unauthorised citing of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) skids installed at restricted location around CMD area.
The concerned residents expressed their concern against the back drop of ongoing construction of LPG skid around Magodo Brooks Estate in Lagos by Mobil filing station, owned by NIPCO Plc company.
Mr Felix Nwachukwu, a resident said that the act of expending an LPG skid pipeline from the express road by Mobil management to a residential area is condemnable.
Nwachukwu said that the residents had earlier raised alarm over illegal construction of cooking gas plant which is risky.
According to him, no government will approve construction of LPG skid to this location where the Mobil is currently constructing illegal pipeline from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to residential areas behind.
He, however, called on the Federal and State Government as a matter of urgency to address the indiscriminate deployment of LPGs, otherwise known as cooking gas, to unauthorised locations without addressing the risks involved.
He urged all relevant government agencies particularly the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to curb the menace, while urging those marketers involved in such act to adhere strictly to DPR’s directives.
Another resident, who identified himself as Boniface Ndubuisi said that DPR should set up a monitoring team that will see to illegal construction of LPG skids in unauthorised locations.
Ndubuisi said that as q matter of urgency, the agency saddled with the responsibility of monitoring illegal citing of cooking gas in areas not allocated like that of Mobil station, owned by NIPCO Plc around CMD Road should be sanctioned.
He said that both LPG and fuel were highly inflammable which needed to be cited far from residential areas, adding that LPG cylinders were potentially and highly hazardous.
He said that there is nowhere in the DPR guidelines and regulations that stipulates operating gas plant cited within residential areas.
“Most stations have neglected the rules and regulations, they are now locating gas plant in most stations across the state.
“Today, we see some have cited plants close to eateries’ kitchen within their stations and this is dangerous while they are discharging gas and selling fuel.
“We, cannot open our eyes and watch for something drastic to happen before we raise alarm,” he said.
Dr Ronke Akinlemibola, Chairperson, Magodo Brooks Estate condemned citing LPG skids within residential areas, adding that the estate will appreciate relevant authorities to look into the illegal construction of gas plants within unauthorised areas.
Talking about the ongoing construction of LPG skids plant around the estate, Dr Akinlemibola said that the residents are not aware of the development, however, assured that the residents will carry out investigation and act accordingly.
According to her, “we don’t support constructing cooking gas plants around residential areas because its detrimental to our health. Nobody will approve such constructing of LPG plant around the Estate.”
Mr Ademola Dehinbo, an official of the Lagos State Town Planning, declined comment on the matter.
“I will advise you to direct your questions to the commissioner on the issue. Am not in position to make any comments,” he said.
However, DPR Lagos Zonal Controller, Engr Ayo Cardoso, confirmed that the Mobil filling stations applied for approval to modify their add-on gas skid and were duly granted but has not carried the agency along on the construction.
He said: “They applied for LPG add-on facility in line with governments gas expansion program.
“You will recall that DPR identified 9000 stations that are ready for add-on. But we will continue to monitor what they are doing to ensure that it is in line with the approval granted,” he said.
Cardoso said that DPR inspection team had visited the Mobil station to monitor the allegations but the management claimed that they owned the entire land and they decided to expand their add-on gas skid.
According to the controller, the station applied for add-on skid but failed to carry DPR along on the ongoing construction.
“We have stopped the ongoing construction for them to come and show DPR their approval documents because they are supposed to submit all documents regarding the construction to us before commencing construction,” he said.
It would be recalled that DPR shutdown of 85 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) plants in Lagos from January 2020 to October 2020, for engaging in illegal operations.
This is coming at a time of several reported cases of explosions by gas plants during the year in Lagos State with several fatalities and destructions of properties.
Some of them were said to have either been operating in residential areas or without approval.
The DPR top official who said the move is to reduce the frequent occurrence of gas explosion in the state, revealed that the LPG plants were shut down due to their inability to comply with international safety standards and also operating without approval or licence from the DPR.
DPR who reiterated that the clampdown on those illegal plants will be a continuous exercise said the agency will sensitize the public on the importance of safe usage and distribution of gas.
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