Abuja, July 21, 2023: Stakeholders have expressed concern over the recurring incidents of gas proliferation in the country and called for synergy between regulatory bodies to ensure that the issue of safety was not being compromised.
The stakeholders spoke on Thursday in Abuja at a consultative meeting towards implementation of Project Safety – a global safety action against illegal gas proliferation in Nigeria.
The meeting was organised by the National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN) and International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) in Nigeria, in collaboration with other stakeholders in industrial safety.
The various stakeholders expressed concern over the development, noting that the proliferation of cooking gas retail outlets in the country had made it difficult for effective supervision and enforcement to take place.
They highlighted the dangers of cooking gas plants within residential areas, while seeking best practices to ensure safety standards were applied at all times.
Dr Duru Hezekiah, IHRC’s Ambassador at Large and Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, decried the devastating consequences of gas explosions.
Hezekiah said IHRC was deeply concerned about the existence of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) facilities in residential areas and the potential dangers they posed to the lives and properties of citizens.
He explained that the primary objective of the project was to reduce the rate of mortality and morbidity associated with gas plants in residential areas, while upholding fundamental human rights.
“By advocating for sustainable practices, formulating effective policies, and strengthening the capacities of the state, we strive to mitigate the devastating effects of gas-related incidents in Nigeria.
“We aim to carry awareness on international safety measures making it possible for gas operators and users to adhere to regulations.
“We firmly believe that safety standards must apply to every individual or organisation involved in the installation, alteration, maintenance, or operation of gas technologies in Nigeria.
“As stakeholders, we will leverage on our partnerships by creating awareness, implementing enforceable regulations that can help in reducing risks posed by these facilities and protect the rights to life of citizens in our communities,” he said.
Dr Festus Daniel, President, National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN), commended IHRC’s contribution to Project Safety, and assured the stakeholders of council’s commitment to the quest for any cause that would guarantee industrial safety.
Daniel, who was represented by Adeyinka Oyediran, Lagos State NISCN Chairman, stressed that the alarming consequences that have emerged due to the establishment and operation of gas plants in residential areas cannot be ignored.
He noted that apart from industry players being worried that quacks were manning gas outlets, residents were getting perturbed that their safety was being compromised.
The NISCN boss noted that this was due to the fact that untrained gas outlet owners were proliferating, while appropriate government agencies looked the other way.
