The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Abeokuta Field Office, has vowed it will be tough in enforcing safety compliance especially on the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) operators in order to protect lives of the citizens.

The Coordinator of NMDPRA in Ogun State, Engr Akinyemi Atilola, handed down the warning at a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation workshop held in Abeokuta, on Wednesday.

The workshop with the theme: “Gas Deepening and Expansion: Hazards Associated with Gas Category D Business and Operations (Decantation),” attracted stakeholders from the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM); Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers (LPGAR) and Cooking Gas Producers/Packagers Association of Nigeria (COGASPAN).

Addressing the gathering, Atilola said part of the Federal Government’s directives on the 2026 outlook is to ensure that all gas retail outlets must be licensed while illegal gas facilities must be sealed and forced to evacuate.

“NMDPRA will be tough in enforcing safety compliance to protect the lives of its citizens,” he declared.

He said the workshop was organised due to the need to ensure strict compliance with safety standards—especially in Category D operations such as decanting activities.

These operations, he said, are critical to last-mile distribution yet pose significant risks if not properly managed.

According to him, the objective of the workshop is to strengthen awareness on regulatory requirements guiding, highlight inherent hazards associated with gas decanting and similar activities and promote best practices in safety, operational standards, and environmental protection.

“Let me emphasize that safety is a shared responsibility. The Authority is committed to creating an enabling environment for business to thrive, but this must be balanced with strict compliance to operational guidelines that protect lives, property, and investments,” Atilola said.

While making a presentation on the theme, the State Coordinator said decanting refers to transferring of LPG from one cylinder to another.

Describing decanting as a dangerous practice that “will result in overfilling, gas leaks, severe fire risks, and explosion,” he maintained that the practice is prohibited.

Giving Overview of the NMDPRA, Head of Operations, Oluwafemi Adebowale, identified non – compliance at facility and retail levels as well as safety and environmental risks as part of major challenges encountered in the agency’s operations.

To tackle this, he said the NMDPRA has strengthened inspections and audits, stakeholders’ engagement and use of technology for monitoring and reporting.

In their separate remarks, the Chairman of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers, branch of NUPENG, Ogun State, Ogunkoya Abiodun as well as Engr Raifu Oyedele, Chairman of Nigeria Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, hailed the NMDPRA for their support for continued growth of the gas industry.

In a 10 point communique issued at the end of the stakeholders engagement, the NMDPRA and the participants agreed that all gas stakeholders should be self-regulated while the gas unions are to be responsible for training and organizing retreats for their members on safety in operations.

The communique also stated all operators should get involved in scrutinizing the integrity of cylinders in their operations, ensure cylinders are not overfilled, and undertake regular engagement on safety with all stakeholders.

The stakeholders also agreed that decanting of LPG should be discouraged while anyone found engaging in the operation will be penalised among others. (Daily Trust)

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