By Adedapo Adesanya
The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has said importers, manufacturers and distributors of substandard Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders and other products would be persecuted by law.
Director-General (DG) of SON, Mr Osita Aboloma, said this on Tuesday during a visit to the scene of a gas explosion at Sabo Tasha in Kaduna State, which claimed the lives of six people due to complications linked to substandard products.
The DG, who was represented by Mr Nwaoma Olujie, Group Head, LPG at SON, said, “We are 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.”
Mr Aboloma said the management of SON received the sad news of the gas explosion with deep sorrow, adding that the organisation commiserates with families of the victims as well as the people and government of Kaduna state.
“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.”
He then urged dealers and consumers to patronise only SON certified LPG and other gas cylinders with the appropriate marking “in order 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,” he added.
He also warned importers of LGP and other gas cylinders to adhere strictly to SON established procedure for the importation of the product, adding 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.”
Mr 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.
“SON has put in place a rigorous procedure for the certification of imported and locally manufactured LGP cylinders for use in Nigeria to guarantee safety and durability of the product,” he said.
He then warned all LGP dispensing plants to ensure due certification of their vessels as provided by SON.