The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has expressed the readiness to prosecute importers, manufacturers and distributors of substandard Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders and other products as provided by law.
This was started by the Director General (DG) SON, Osita Aboloma, who gave the warning on Tuesday during a visit the scene of a gas explosion at Sabo Tasha, Kaduna, in which six people lost their lives.
Represented by Engr. Nwaoma Olujie, Group Head LPG at SON, the DG also paid condolence to Kaduna State Government over the sad incident.
He said that SON is determined to ensure diligent prosecution of importers, manufacturers and distributors of substandard LPG cylinders and other products as provided in SON Act No. 14 of 2015.
Having received the sad news with deep sorrow, he said the organisation commiserate with families of the victims as well as the people and government of Kaduna state.
Aboloma further said that such an avoidable explosion was one too many.
“If only the necessary safety measures and precautions were put in place by the gas vendors, the disaster will not have occurred.
“It is necessary that we once again reiterate our recent warning to dealers and consumers, on the safe use of LPG and other gas cylinders.
“This repeat warning is in view of recent explosions around the country occasioned by wrong handling of the products.”
The DG, therefore, urged dealers and consumers to patronise the only SON certified LPG and other gas cylinders with the appropriate marking. This he said is to be able to safeguard “our homes, offices and surroundings from avoidable accidents from substandard cylinders.”
“Our officers in 42 offices across the nation have been directed to inspect all LGP plants and ensure the certification or re-certification of all installed vessels as the case may be.
“The full weight of law shall be brought to bear on any plant and owner who fail to comply with this mandatory requirement of SON Act,” Aboloma added.
While warning importers of LGP and other gas cylinders to adhere strictly to SON established procedure for the importation of the product, the DG added that dealers and consumers must look out for mandatory embossed marking on all imported LGP cylinders as specified in the Nigeria Industrial Standard.
“Furthermore, for certified locally manufactured LGP cylinders we wish to advise dealers and users to look out for SON Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) logo and numbers in addition to the markings specified for the imported products.”
Aboloma disclosed that the life span of LGP cylinders in Nigeria is 15 years during which the cylinders must be requalified twice every five years.
