NLPGA Abuja Chapter Courtesy Visit to the FCT Commandant of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Friday 18, November 2016

Presentation by NLPGA President - Mr. Dayo Adeshina

• The President stressed the need for collaboration between NLPGA and Regulatory / Enforcement Agencies of Government to achieve the objectives of the proposed National LPG Policy (as contained in the draft National Gas Policy) of making people transit / switch to LPG in a safe and sustainable manner.
• A lot of illegal entrants to the LPG business is foreseen giving the proposed National LPG Policy. Hence the need to enforce regulations.
• NLPGA was set up / registered 8 years ago by government following a recommendation by World Bank after a study on Nigeria LPG Sector carried out in 2003/2004.
• The President frowned at the proliferation of illegal LPG Skids within the FCT as it poses a serious safety concern.
• The President commended the NSCDC FCT Commandant for the three LPG Bobtails that were confiscated by his team.

Presentation by NSCDC FCT Commandant - Mr. P. E. Ukpan (JP)

• Requested for copies of the draft National Gas Draft Policy to enable his team study / understand them for effective enforcement; especially within Abuja being the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and a model to other states of the country.
• Promised to collaborate with NLPGA possibly form a Task Force to curb the proliferation of illegal LPG skids, retail outlets and plant.
• Requested NLPGA organise a one-day sensitisation workshop for NSCDC FCT Officers.

The Courtesy Visit was covered by Daily Trust Newspaper Energy Reporter, Mr. Daniel Adugbo.

 NLPGA Abuja Chapter Courtesy Visit to the Management of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) Abuja Zone at the Zonal Office in Jabi District (Abuja) on Wednesday, November 18, 2016.

DPR Reps:

1. Mr. Mohammed Usman, Zonal Operations Controller, Abuja.

2. Mrs. Sagi Bello, Ag. Asst. Director, Operations, Abuja.

3. Mr. Joshua Kuje, Head, Corporate Services, Abuja.

4. Engr. Umar Gwandu, Ag. Head, Gas Services, Abuja.

5. Mrs. Amina Danmadami, Ag. Head, Downstream, Abuja.

6. Mr. Ibrahim, Ag. Head, Technical Safety, Abuja.

 

Presentation by NLPGA President - Mr. Dayo Adeshina

• The President gave economic and health reasons why Nigeria needs to take advantage of the various potentials for LPG usage.
• The President informed the gathering that the Federal Government had in the last nine months actively engaged the NLPGA on development of LPG policies. NLPGA also intended to engage with Regulatory and Enforcement Agencies to ensure that the policies that are existing as well as those that will soon be released are strictly adhered to and enforced in order to guarantee the safety of lives and properties.
• The President stressed the need for collaboration between NLPGA and Regulatory / Enforcement Agencies of Government to achieve the objectives of the proposed National LPG Policy (as contained in the draft National Gas Policy) of making people transit / switch to LPG in a safe and sustainable manner.
• The President frowned at the proliferation of illegal LPG Skids and LPG retail Outlets within the FCT as it poses a serious safety concern.
• The President commended the DPR for collaborating with the NSCDC FCT Command in the apprehension / confiscation of three LPG Bobtails.

Presentation by DPR Zonal Operations Controller - Mr. Mohammed Usman

• DPR informed the NLPGA Team that DPR Abuja Zone has been concerned about the LPG Skid Plants and LPG Ad-Ons (to Fuel Stations) proliferation. DPR said routine inspection by his Gas Monitoring Team had been stepped up to avert incidents and/or accidents.
• DPR Abuja Office had been receiving a lot of applications for new LPG Plants / Ad-Ons.
• DPR Abuja Zone has closed down some sub-standard / illegal LPG Retail Points.
• DPR was concerned about the dangers of deforestation due to the use of firewood for cooking, etc.
• DPR advocated for piping of LPG (cooking gas) to houses (reticulation) on prepaid basis. However, he noted that safety of this scheme is still a concern.
• DPR stressed the need for NLPGA to enlighten the public with respect to the advantages and safety of LPG and promised to support the next LPG Stakeholders Forum.
• The NLPGA Abuja Chapter EXCO write to the DPR Abuja Zone anytime they notice illegal / unsafe LPG skids, Ad-ons, Plants and/or Retail Outlets.
• DPR Abuja Zone will continue to collaborate with and support NLPGA Abuja Chapter.

Presentation by DPR Abuja Ag. AD Operations - Mrs. Sagi Bello

• Advised NLPGA to encourage new investors in LPG Plant to give 1,000 to 2,000 free cylinders to new customers to encourage switching from other energy sources to LPG.

Presentation by DPR Abuja Ag. Head, Gas - Engr. Umar Gwandu

• DPR had sealed some substandard / illegal LPG skids and Ad-Ons.
• DPR was very concerned about the proliferation of roadside LPG Retailers and advised that LPG Plant owners should desist from selling LPG to un-registered LPG Retailers. DPR noted also that sometimes these un-registered LPG Retailers get their supply from LPG Bobtails (which are also illegal).
• DPR informed the gathering that following the LPG fire incident in Nnewi on 24-December-2015, they had developed a Safety Operating Procedure (SOP) for Gas Plants.

The Courtesy Visit was covered by Daily Trust Newspaper Energy Reporter

NLPGA Abuja Chapter Courtesy Visit to the Management of Department of Development Control (under the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council - AMMC) at the Head Office in Wuse Zone 6 (Abuja) on Friday 25-November-2016.

Department of Development Control Reps:

1. Mr. Muhtar Usman Galadima, Director.

2. Mr. Garba Kwankur, Assistant. Director, Mechanical and Electrical.

3. Mr. Suleiman Keffi, Assistant Director, Amenities and Aesthetics.

4. Mr. Ukpeiman, Assistant Director, Building Inspection.

5. Mr. Gambo, Assitant Director / Head of Admin.

6. Mr. Ndagi Solitor, Assitant Director, Mechanical.

7. Engr. Peter, Building Inspection.

8. Engr. Fasuba, ICT & Logistics

 Presentation by NLPGA Abuja Chapter Vice Chiarman - Mr. Ibrahim Salka

• Brief history of NLPGA as the umbrella body that covers the entire LPG Value Chain Sector.
• Economic and health advantages of LPG.
• Expressed concern of NLPGA over large number existing and new investors in the LPG Sector that do not adhere to safety & building rules and regulations for siting and/or construction of LPG facilities.

Presentation by NLPGA Abuja Chapter Process & Safety Advisor - Engr. Dr. Magose Abraham Eju

• Informed the Director that the NLPGA Abuja Chapter Team, led by the NLPGA National President had paid a visit to the former Director of the Department of Development Control in January this year. He said this visit was to further the relationship between the two organisations.
• Intimated the Department of Development Control on the content of the proposed "National LPG Policy" (as contained in the National Gas Policy of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources).
• Reiterated the need for close collaboration between the Department of Development Control and NLPGA on strengthening and enforcing building / construction regulations to curtail proliferation of illegal LPG Skids, Ad-Ons, Plants and Retail Outlets within Abuja and its environ.
• Expressed the desire of the NLPGA to work with the Department of Development Control on sensitisation campaign to the public on dangers of illegal siting & structures of LPG Plants, Skids, Ad-Ons to Fuel Stations and Retail Outlets.

Presentation by Department of Development Control Director - Mr. Muhtar Usman Galadima

• Department of Development Control is in charge of all infrastructure development and aesthetics within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
• Affirmed that NLPGA will be a good organisation to partner with in order to fulfil their mandate in the Department.
• Stressed the need the need to curb deforestation via the use of LPG.
• Department currently partners with "Green House Energy" to promote the use of clean energy like LPG in residential estates within Abuja City.
• Requested to partner with NLPGA to develop a "Master Plan' on model for safe distances in development of different types of LPG structures.
• DDC wants the Mass Housing Developers in Abuja to have LPG piped into houses, e.g., from a mini-LPG depot within the estate and proposed a stakeholders forum to deliberate on this idea.
• DDC plans to develop a "Prototype Shade" for LPG Retail Outlets.
• Requested NLPGA to help guide the Department as to whether or not Ad-On to Fuel Filling Stations should be approved, and how to vet them.

Response by NLPGA Abuja Chapter Secretary - Mr. Abdul Abbas

• He informed that the FCT original design made provision for piping of gas to houses but this was not applied.
• He noted that the Department of Development Control was still using a safe distance of 3m for approval of Gas Facilities construction instead of 7.5 m as stipulated by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) Guideline.
• He spoke about the safety issues with "decanting" (filling of LPG from one cylinder to another) and erecting of LPG Skid, etc under High Tension Electric Cables.
• He informed about the LPG Stakeholders Forum that the NLPGA Abuja Chapter plans to hold soon.
• He invited the Management of the Department of Development Control to the final review session of the proposed LPG Policy scheduled to hold at the PTDF Abuja Head Office on Tuesday 29-November-2016.