NMDPRA intensifies enforcement against illegal LPG transfer, vows to penalize non-compliant operators

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has issued a stern warning to Liquefied Petroleum Gas retailers operating in Ogun State, stating that any operator found breaching safety regulations through illegal decanting practices will face strict sanctions.

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Dr Akinyemi Atilola, the Ogun State Coordinator of NMDPRA, gave the warning in Abeokuta during the authority’s first quarterly stakeholders’ engagement with LPG retailers in 2026, emphasizing that safety must never be compromised.

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Atilola stressed that LPG retailers are key to achieving the Federal Government’s gas deepening agenda because they serve as the last-mile link to end users, but this business must be conducted in strict adherence to safety standards and global best practices.

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Speaking on the theme “Gas Deepening and Expansion: Hazards Associated with Gas Category D Business,” Atilola explained that LPG retailers fall under Category D operations, which are designed strictly for cylinder exchange, commonly referred to as the drop-and-pick model.

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He expressed concern that many operators have deviated from this model, engaging instead in decanting, the transfer of gas from one cylinder to another, which is highly unsafe and poses significant risks to operators, customers, surrounding markets, and the environment.

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Atilola warned that decanting can result in overfilled cylinders, gas leaks, fire outbreaks, and even explosions, and emphasized that Category D is not meant for decanting, but specifically for a system where customers drop empty cylinders and pick up already-filled ones.

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Any deviation from this constitutes a safety breach, Atilola added, making it clear that the authority would no longer tolerate violations, and enforcement actions, including sealing of outlets, would be intensified.

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The authority will not hesitate to sanction erring operators, Atilola stated, revealing that about five outlets were sealed last year, and non-compliant facilities would continue to be shut down.

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Ogun State has over 600 LPG cylinder operators, Atilola disclosed, emphasizing the need for strict compliance across the board, while also noting that NMDPRA is mindful of the economic importance of the sector.

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The authority recognizes that many people depend on this business for their livelihood, but cannot allow unsafe practices, Atilola said, adding that the goal is to educate and guide operators toward safe and compliant operations.

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Operators willing to comply with established guidelines would be duly licensed, Atilola stated, but unsafe operations will not earn approval, emphasizing that following the rules is a prerequisite for licensing.

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Atilola also raised concerns over the indiscriminate siting of LPG businesses in residential areas, warning that such practices would not be tolerated, and outlined strict requirements for siting gas facilities.

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These requirements include minimum space, ventilation standards, and storage limits, such as at least a three-by-four metre space, proper ventilation, and operators must not store more than 500 kilograms of gas.

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Most importantly, such facilities must not be located within residential buildings, Atilola said, condemning unsafe storage practices such as keeping gas cylinders in living rooms or near sensitive locations.

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Storing gas under beds, inside homes, or near schools and hospitals is strictly prohibited, Atilola warned, emphasizing that such practices endanger lives and will not be approved.

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Chairman of the LPG Retailers branch of NUPENG in Ogun State, Mr Ogunkoya Abiodun, alongside the Chairman of the Nigeria Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, Engr Raifu Oyedele, commended NMDPRA for its support toward the growth of the gas sector.

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They called for increased collaboration, particularly in training and continuous sensitisation of operators, and a 10-point communique issued at the end of the engagement emphasized collective responsibility for safety in the sector.

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The stakeholders unanimously agreed that any operator found engaging in unsafe practices, especially decanting, should face appropriate sanctions, as part of NMDPRA’s ongoing efforts to promote safe LPG usage.

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The engagement forms part of NMDPRA’s efforts to advance Nigeria’s gas expansion agenda under the Federal Government’s “Decade of Gas” initiative, promoting safe and responsible practices in the sector.