Following moves by the regulators to ensure that gas cylinders are well handled in the country especially by the vendors, the Standard Organization of Nigeria, SON has stepped up campaign aimed at sensitizing the public about the dangers of expired gas cylinders.
In an address by the Director-General, (DG) Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Osita Aboloma, at a one-day sensitization on expired gas cylinders and its side effects, which help in Port Harcourt recently, the DG said it was necessary to stay abreast of the realities.
Represented by the South-South Regional Coordinator, Baraji Sule, the SON Director-General called on gas consumers to endeavour to patronize only registered dealers of good and standard cooking gas cylinders because of inherent health and safety hazards, apart from the need to safeguard consumers safety.
The SON boss called on allied agencies to partner the organization, in order to achieve set goals.
In his remarks, SON Coordinator for Rivers and Bayelsa states, Engineer Ololade Ayoola, enjoined consumers to abide by the new rules on the use of cooking gas cylinders. He informed that the period of requalification of cooking gas cylinders is five (5) years, adding that consumers should always seek requalification to avoid the ugly incidence of gas explosion.
According to him, consumers should continue to patronize approved LPG filling stations in order to avoid the frequent incidents of domestic gas accidents. But he warned that henceforth fake gas vendors will face prosecution because of the direct consequences of their activities.
At a separate interview, a guest lecturer, Damian Agbando underscored the benefits of the LPG cooking gas to include helping to safe man-hour loss for the working class group, apart from protecting the ozone layer by limiting felling of trees for firewood. He lent his voice on the need to uphold standard to ensure overall safety and well being.
Participants were unanimous that the SON campaign was timely, in view of high incidents of gas explosions in the country, leading to loss of lives and possessions.
