‘Kaduna explosion caused by welding gas not LPG’

The Nigeria LPG Association (NLPGA), the umbrella body for all stakeholders in the LPG industry in Nigeria has debunked claims that the recent gas explosion at Sabon Tashi, Kaduna, Kaduna State was caused by Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) (otherwise known as cooking gas), but stated that immediate on-the-site inspection and investigation indicated that the accident was caused by Oxyacetylene (a.k.a. welding gas).

According to the body, pronouncements calling for the cessation of cooking gas sales within residential areas therefore seem at variance with the findings, especially at a time when LPG is being promoted as an alternative and clean source of fuel for household use.

The body, through its Executive Secretary, Olakunle Oyebanjo stated that there is no similarity whatsoever between the two types of gas except that both gases are flammable and are moved in cylinders.

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) had in its preliminary investigation, revealed that the cause of the Kaduna gas explosion was as a result of illegal decanting (transfer) of gas into another cylinder by operators of this facility.

To this end, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) reiterated its warning to consumers on the safe use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other cylinders in view of recent explosions around the country involving the product.The NLPGA however urged regulators to align on the urgent need for awareness sensitization, capacity building and improvements in operational safety as promoted by the Association in order to avert similar accidents in future in either industry.

“LPG is the fastest growing fuel and serves a role in reducing energy poverty and health issues, particularly amongst women. A disturbance to the safe use or availability of LPG is to be discouraged, as it is at direct variance with and may be counter-productive to the actualisation of the FG’s unique agenda to deepen the safe use of LPG in Nigeria.

“In November 2019, the NLPGA, through its Safety & Technical Committee, in collaboration with FG’s approved Joint Working Committee (JWC) and supported by the SON and DPR, developed and published a comprehensive Safety Audit Checklist. This document comprises self-assessment and self-auditing guidelines for all industry operators at every stage of the value chain.

“We strongly urge all stakeholders to access this document and familiarise themselves with it. The NLPGA Secretariat would be happy to take any enquiries on this document via info@nigerialpgas.com; it is our aim that adoption of this document will assist in preventing incidents and accidents of this nature in future.

“Nonetheless, the NLPGA is committed to promoting international best practices in the safe handling of LPG across the entire value chain and seeks to work with State Governments to rid the market off of illegal and unsafe LPG operators. NLPGA already works in close collaboration with several state governments, most notably Lagos State Government through the Physical Planning & Urban Development Ministry and the Lagos State Safety Commission”, Oyebanjo added.