Following the removal of subsidy on petrol, the Babajide Sanwo-Olu led Lagos State Government has advocated the safe conversion of petrol to Liquiedfied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for domestic use.
This is contained in a statement on Monday by the Director-General of the State’s Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, signed on his behalf by Mrs Adewunmi Okoh, a Deputy Director in the Commission.
He said the Sanwo-olu’s administration is committed to ensure safety of lives and properties of it’s citizenry.
According to him, with the recent development on subsidy removal in the country which has led to the hike in the pump price of PMS and the resulting discomfort to the citizens, the conversion of petrol generators in homes and offices to LPG generators has risen considerably.
He stated that powering generators and plants with alternative fuels like LPG or Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) offers several benefits, including that both are generally cheaper than petrol, offering potential cost savings over the long term.
“These fuels are cleaner, and so do not contaminate the air as much as petrol and diesel do,” he noted.
Speaking also, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ms Shola Shasore said that it is important to note that converting a petrol generator to use alternative and less expensive fuels may require modifications and the installation of appropriate conversion kits by qualified professionals.
She advised the general public to engage ONLY qualified technicians for this service, noting, “When in doubt, please contact the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources or Lagos State Safety Commission for guidance on professional vendors and installation as well as appropriate safety guidelines.”
Meanwhile, the Lagos state government has alerted the general public of the safety hazards and risks inherent in the conversion process in the use of LPG-powered generators at homes and offices.
Government listed the safety hazard and risks inherent thus:
I. Spark or heat from the generator can cause fire outbreak if gas leakage occurs from the hose or cylinder valve.
II. Explosion could occur if the generator house is not properly ventilated thereby allowing gas leak build up in enclosed space.
III. LPG is bottled under high pressure with potential for explosions if not properly handled.
V. Gas cylinders can fall and roll off if not placed on even flooring. When this happens, the gas hose can pull out leading to uncontrolled leakages.
VI. Corrosion of gas cylinders can occur when left in the rain or in humid environment.
VII. Exposure to direct sunlight can expose cylinders to excessive temperature with attendant risk of explosion.
VIII. Poor installation of the hybrid carburettors on generators can increase the risks of accident.
IX. CNG should be discouraged for household generating sets except for special cases like large estates with plants for power generation.
X. Use of sub-standard, dilapidated or expired cylinders substantially increases risks of gas explosion.
Natural gas and LPG are often more abundant and domestically sourced in certain regions compared to petrol. This can provide greater fuel availability and independence from fluctuations in petrol prices or supply disruptions.
CNG and LPG combustion generally produce less noise compared to petrol. This results in quieter generator operation, which can be beneficial for residential use and minimize noise pollution.
