NIPCO To Raise LPG Infrastructure To 9,800MT
The Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO) is expanding its Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, facility as part of its drive to boost its use in the country. Under the current upgrade exercise, the company is adding another 5,000 metric tonnes [LPG storage facility popularly known as cooking gas at its Apapa depot.
Spokesman of the petroleum marketing company, Alhaji Taofeek Lawal said the additional 5,000 MT storage tanks project when completed by June 2017 would promote growth in Nigeria’s LPG consumption and thrive the LPG market. He said that the project which is a state of the art ultra-modern facility commenced in April 2016 with over 80 workers and had not recorded any causality.
Lawal said that when completed the company will have a total capacity of 9,800 MT of LPG storage, adding that it has also recorded over 110,000 man hours time spent on the projects.
He said that the project was part of the company’s conscious initiative in deepening the LPG market through a well articulated project and policy for the benefit of all stakeholders.
According to him, Over the years the company has put in place a massive 4,500 MT LPG storage facility to deepen the domestic gas market, adding that ” Currently,we are adding another 5,000 MT LPG storage facility to add to our growth initiative and boost cooking gas availability in Nigeria.
Speaking further, he said, “These initiatives are essential to encourage other companies to join hands in growing the economic and environmental benefits of LP gas against the backdrop of the abundant gas resources in the country,’’.
Laswal assured stakeholders of the company’s interest in increasing gas infrastructure in the country as epitomised in her investment running into billions of naira in the sector. “NIPCO ‘ s commitment to gas sector flows from the Federal Government’s call to promote the gas sector in Nigeria which is gifted with abundant indigenous supply.
“The LPG terminal at NIPCO is a state of the art ultra-modern facility with high level of automation and requires very minimal human intervention in its entire operations. It ranks among the biggest storage facility in Nigeria and undoubtedly contributes to increasing domestic consumption of LPG, popularly referred to as cooking gas, through plethora of promotion activities” he said.
He also said that at NIPCO, safety of the personnel and of the surrounding environment is first priority and hence the terminal is equipped with modern facilities that are designed for fire prevention and as well for fire fighting. The terminal is equipped with fire Hydrants, fire detectors etc, that will round the clock ensure highest safety in operations
In the realm of public enlightenment and eradication of phobia associated with LPG we have been making our modest contribution by educating the populace the use of gas for household cooking as well as for powering vehicles and machines,’’ Lawal said.
