FG urges review of building codes to increase LPG penetration

To deepen penetration of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) or cooking gas in the country, there is a need to adjust the building codes and attract at least $2 billion worth of investment in the sector.

Making this recommendation in Lagos, recently, the Programme Manager, National LPG Expansion and Implementation Plan, Dayo Adeshina said, with Lagos State accounting for at least 60 per cent of LPG distribution in the country, efforts should be geared towards deploying the product to transportation, power generation and households than the present level.

Speaking at the State’s executive and stakeholders’ LPG workshop in Lagos, Adeshina stated that the State can leverage its Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system to deploy gas in order to cut costs and reduce the carbon footprint of the state.

He also added that ownership of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders is expected to change by the third quarter of this year, once the proposed re-certification of the cylinders commences.

Adeshina said that the government would also continue to support the LPG industry with fiscal policies and incentives to enable the actualisation of its target of five million metric tonnes of LPG consumption by Nigerians in 2023.
The LPG Programme Manager said standardisation of LPG cylinders and safe use in Nigerian homes could only be achieved when ownership rests strictly with dealers and distributors.

He explained that cooking cylinders ought to be recertified periodically, adding that the average life span of a cylinder was 15 years.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said efforts are underway to reduce the carbon footprint in the state by improving access to the commodity.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the State’s Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola noted that a high margin of the state’s population still depends on dirty fuels, adding that his administration seeks to fast-track the adoption of biofuels.

According to him, the ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and Ibile Oil and Gas Corporation will partner in deepening LPG adoption by making sure that the product is available at the strategic skid plants and at an affordable rate.

He cited the recent fire incidents in the State as one of the reasons for increasing awareness on the proper use of the commodity as well as the need to raise standards of LPG activities in the State.

The State’s Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Lere Odusote stated that his ministry is trying to change the narrative about LPG use in order to increase penetration from the present 15 per cent to 80 per cent by in the next five years.

He noted that per capita consumption remains very low at 0.58kg in the country despite its huge gas reserves.

In his presentation on ‘The Role of SON in the LPG Sector’, Group head, LPG, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nwaoma Olujie, said: “Most cylinders in circulation are either old (expired) or substandard. LPG Cylinders in circulation are not re-qualified. LPG Cylinders in circulation are not refurbished. Most LPG storage tanks installed are not certified. Most storage tanks imported into the country are old. Used LPG cylinders are smuggled into the country. Some LPG cylinders in circulation were fabricated locally without requisite quality control checks. Lack of awareness- expiration date, re-qualification, markings. Lack of adherence to safety procedures- distribution, storage, and use. No Cylinder Test Stations available in the Country.”

He expressed concerns stating that these issues have serious consequences on the sector and Nigeria’s economy. Consequently, he called on all stakeholders to cooperate with SON in maintaining standards and other responsibilities.

He said: “LPG will continue to play an increasingly important role in the future with rising income as well as growing awareness about the convenience and health benefits. It is important that we take advantage of the economic and market potentials of the LPG reserve and reposition the country to reap the enormous benefits associated with it.

“Synergy among relevant stakeholders is pivotal in expanding and deepening the usage of LPG in the country. While compliance to standards and specifications is key in ensuring global relevance and sustainability. The future role of LPG has begun and we have to be on the speed train.”

He said SON has the responsibility in ‘ensuring the elaboration of standards for LPG, CNG and LNG, LPG vessels- cylinders, storage tanks and LPG vehicles in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.’

He also said SON would continue to make its contributions, “By ensuring that imported cylinders and those produced in Nigeria meet the requirements of standards; by ensuring that all LPG equipment and accessories (valves, regulators, hoses, skid stations, etc.) meet the requirements of standards and also ensuring that newly fabricated LPG vessels are certified before use and by ensuring that all existing LPG vessels used in the country are certified.”