Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on Sunday said reports from its preliminary investigations showed that the Best Roof Gas Plant Station, Baruwa, Lagos, where last Thursday’s gas explosion occurred had no operational licence.
Mr Sarki Auwalu, DPR’s director, spoke in a statement while commiserating with victims.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that five persons died in the explosion. Eight persons were rescued with various injuries.
Forty four buildings were destroyed in the inferno, which started about 5:40 am. when a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanker was discharging at the plant located in a densely populated area.
Auwalu said preliminary reports showed the facility was operating without licence, promising that DPR would update the public on its investigation.
According to him, the department would collaborate with stakeholders to ensure safe operations of oil and gas facilities.
Auwalu said DPR had listed guidelines for establishment and operations of LPG refilling plants and retail outlets, auto gas refuelling stations and add-on gas facility as well as gas storage and utilisation.
The director noted that the guidelines listed requirements, procedures and conditions for approval and licences for construction, installation, modification, takeover, relocation and operations of downstream gas facilities.
He said the guidelines were developed to enhance gas penetration and utilisation, enhance operational safety as well as the ease of doing business.
Auwalu said these requirements included Site Suitability Approval, Approval to Construct (ATC), Approval to Install and Licence to Operate.
The director added that the facilities must have amenities and equipment, such as functional automated/manual leak tester, functional fire alarm system, and mounted gas detectors.
He said they must have fire water storage and sprinklers, perimeter fence with fire wall, among others.
He said this would ensure that the baseline standard regarding Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) was achieved and maintained.
