GAS EXPLOSION IN KADUNA: "Illegal Gas Depots, Operators To Face Prosecution"... DPR

"The DPR Kaduna Zone wishes to extend its sympathy and condolence to the families of the victims, the government and people of Kaduna state over the unfortunate incident of the gas explosion that occurred on Saturday, 04th January, 2020.

"Follow laid down rules and regulations to ensure safe handling of gas considering its volatility...... DPR Tells Operators

...... Warns members of the public not to patronise illegal operators.


The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, as the regulatory body of the Oil and Gas sector in Nigeria, through its Kaduna State Zonal office, has assured of its readiness to dislodge illegal gas facilities and prosecute perpetrators.

This much was revealed by the Kaduna Zonal Operations Controller, Isa Tafida when he visited the scene of the gas explosion in the Sabon Tasha axis of the state where no fewer than five (5) lives were lost and properties destroyed on Saturday, January 04, 2020.

The Kaduna Zonal Operations Controller, stated this while condoling with victims of the gas explosion which included the chairman of the Nigeria Atomic Research Council, Professor P. S Malam.

"The DPR Kaduna Zone wishes to extend its sympathy and condolence to the families of the victims, the government and people of Kaduna state over the unfortunate incident of the gas explosion that occurred on Saturday 04th January, 2020 that recorded loss of lives, injuries of various degrees and loss of properties".

While urging investors, gas plant operators and gas retailers to obtain the required license that would ensure safe handling of gas to avoid such accidents, Tafida revealed that the gas retailer operated illegally without even 'Category D' license".

Reacting to what could have likely been responsible for the explosion, the DPR Kaduna Zonal Operations Controller said: "From the outcome of the preliminary investigations; the facility is an illegal gas retailing vendor that engages in illegal storage, decanting and sales of LPG (cooking) and acetylene (industrial gases), that the operator of that illegal facilities are unknown to the Department, that the facility is not licensed by DPR".

Tafida stressed that the Department had variously carried out trainings, monitoring of LPG outlets and warning to members of the public not to patronize illegal operators, and warned such illegal operators to follow the laid down rules and regulation to ensure safe handling of gas considering its volatility.

"Gas retailers who do not have 'Category D license' for retailing LPG are desperate for money because LPG is the new source of money and the public have started understanding that gas cooking is faster and cleaner but, the public need to be aware that it has to be handled with caution".

"Investors should invest in gas business but they should follow the rules and regulations and do it in line with best practices. Last year, we licensed 38 LPG plants while 4 were shutdown in Kaduna State", Tafida said.