Seven gas plants and three retail outlets refilling Liquefied Petroleum Gas (cooking gas) cylinders in Lagos have been shut by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and three of them are situated in Lekki.
The names of the affected firms are Banner Gas LPG refilling plant in Lekki Phase I; Top Gas LPG, Jakande, Lekki; Dolax Gas, Ifako, Gbagada; Spades Energy Limited, Maryland; Daridson Gas Plant, Iroko Awe Town, Elegushi, Lekki Phase II; Pivot Cooking Gas Plant, Bariga, and Chibuzor Gas, Maryland.
Why shutdown matters: The shutdown was as a result of surveillance by the DPR, which revealed that the gas companies were operating illegally in the state. The firms were reportedly operating without licence from the regulator.
Also, some of the gas companies were accused of situating their facilities amidst densely populated areas and under high-tension lines. According to the Zonal Operations Controller DPR in Lagos, Ayorinde Cardoso, the shutdown will curb illegal operations currently ongoing in the market, as well as avert gas explosions.
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Are there more to come? Cardoso said operators of gas must operate in accordance with the rules and regulations of the market as the DPR intends to double its surveillance on illegal activities under the new Director, Sarki Auwalu who was appointed in December by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Nairametrics had reported last year that eight illegal filling stations operating in Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital were completely sealed off by the DPR for committing different offences. A certain number of illegal filling stations had been running operations in few communities unhindered without adhering to the required standards proposed by the regulatory body.
The recent development proves the DPR is leaving no stone unturned as regard getting rid of illegal operators in Nigeria.