DPR tasks gas plant operators on safety measures

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has charged managers of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) plants and fuel stations to ensure safety in their facilities.

Yusuf Suleiman, DPR zonal controller in Kaduna, said this during a two-day workshop on minimum industry safety training for downstream operations (MISTDO) protocols on Friday.

Suleiman said the MISTSO was introduced to reduce the occurrence of fire disasters, preservation of environment at many retailing outlets such depots, fuelling stations and LPG retailing plants.

He said the MISTDO is aimed at protecting lives and investment in the petroleum downstream sector.

Suleiman asked operators to key into the initiative and actively participate in the training.

He explained that the workshops would educate stakeholders on petroleum safety in order to minimise fire outbreak, preserve the environment and to save the lives of Nigerians.

Similarly, Victor Ohwodiasa, DPR operations controller in Akwa Ibom, charged LPG operators to always conduct their businesses within the legal and regulatory framework governing the oil and gas industry.

Ohwodiasa described the transfer of cooking gas from one cylinder to another as illegal and dangerous and advised operators to desist from the practice.

He also said the agency sealed 13 cooking gas stations in July for illegal operation.