The Lagos State Government has implemented safety regulations for retail gas operators within the state to mitigate the recurring incidents of gas explosions.
During a one-day training program titled “Safety Commission Training for Retail Gas Operators,” organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in Lagos State, Lanre Mojola, the Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, emphasized the program’s purpose: addressing the frequent gas explosions and fire incidents that result in loss of lives and property in the region.
Mojola emphasized the irreplaceable value of human life and the collective responsibility to safeguard lives without compromising safety. He highlighted the severe consequences an organization faces in terms of morality, finances, and reputation when explosions occur.
He urged participants to continuously acquire, unlearn, relearn, and share knowledge with their colleagues and organizations.
He identified factors contributing to gas explosions, such as gas adulteration, mishandling of cylinders, proximity of industrial and cooking gases to ignition sources, the proliferation of gas retail outlets, and inadequate training for operators and users in safe gas handling.
Mojola appealed to all operators in this critical sector to collaborate closely with government authorities during inspections, expressing confidence that these efforts would make Lagos a safer place.
The event featured presentations by various safety experts, including Engr. Sesan Odukoya from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, who discussed the “Cooking Gas Penetration Policy and Regulatory of Retail Business,” and Adeyinka Adebiyi, who covered topics such as “Gas Cylinder and Emergency Management, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, Fire Prevention, Evacuation Procedures, and Proper Usage of Fire Extinguishers and Alarms.”