The Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Ikechukwu Eseka, says decanting of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the state is no longer acceptable.
Eseka stated this at a stakeholder meeting in NMDPRA Field Office on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Eket.
He said the meeting was a follow up on the sealing of places used for decanting purposes in Uyo by the NMDPRA the previous week.
He also said that the Authority was doing everything possible to stop the decanting of LPG by such operators due to its unsafe nature.
Decanting of LPG entails transferring gas from one cylinder or tank to another, often during refilling or maintenance. It requires careful handling and adherence to safety guidelines.
“LPG cylinder-to-cylinder rebottling, refilling and decanting is criminal and thus prohibited,” Eseka said.
He said that retailer’s outlets should not be located at motor parks mechanic workshops, blacksmiths or welder’s workshops, bar, restaurants and other similar places that handle flammable materials.
The Akwa Ibom NMDPRA coordinator explained that exchange of gas cylinders was what should be the situation and those who engage in such must be duly licensed.
An enlightenment session was also carried out by the Eket Office to all those present at the meeting.
He stressed that retail outlet shops should not be any residential buildings and must be at least 10 meters away from the road and 15 meters minimum away from any source of ignition.
He also warned that retail outlets should not be built under high tension wire in the state.
Eseka said that the layout of the cylinders should be such as to facilitate quick removal of the cylinders in case of emergency.
He advised the union to engage with the Akwa Ibom Government for assistance under the State’s SME scheme.
The State Chairman of Akwa Ibom Gas Retailers Union, Mr. Itoro Urom, said that the union had held several meetings with members to comply with the rules and regulation of gas retailers but to no avail.
The meeting was attended by staff of the Department of State Service (DSS), Eket Office, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), The Federal Fire Service and the Akwa Ibom Gas Retailers Union.
By Sunday Bassey