Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Federal Government has announced plans to mop up old and obsolete gas cylinders in circulation and replace them with new ones nationwide in the New Year.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, disclosed this when he received in audience the executive management of the Nigeria Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association, NLPGA, led by its president, Mr. Nuhu Yakubu.
The visit afforded the visiting team the opportunity to explore the need for increased government involvement in shaping action plans to grow the liquefied petroleum gas, LPG, industry as well as deepening the utilisation of LPG in the country.
The minister reiterated that his key priorities included the completion of the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme with associated gas-focused deliverables that included deepening domestic gas penetration and adoption, amongst others.
Chief Sylva, who commended NLPGA for its recently-concluded Annual LPG Conference and Exhibition, applauded the association’s launch of the LPG Safety Check List, aimed at enthroning self-regulation and safe practices across the entire LPG value chain.
He further disclosed that plans were underway to mop up old and obsolete gas cylinders in circulation and replace them with brand new ones, while noting the innovation that Techno Oil; a member of NLPGA, has brought to the table with its LPG Cylinder Manufacturing Plant.
“This has also granted Techno Oil the pioneer status, which exempts it from paying tax on import of all raw materials for LPG cylinder production and will help to reduce the cost of production,” the minister said.
Nuhu Yakubu, who is also the Managing Director/Group Chief Executive Officer of Banner Energy Limited, made a presentation focused on affordability, accessibility, acceptability and availability of LPG.
Yakubu expounded several solution-focused strategies that, when effectively implemented, would not only demonstrate government’s deep commitment in solidifying the sector but also ensure that LPG utilisation became the norm in the country.
