The Nigerian government has introduced new requirements for firms to obtain gas licenses following a recent explosion in Ogun State.
Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, made this announcement on Wednesday during a visit to Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State. Ekpo was conducting an on-the-spot assessment of last Saturday’s CNG explosion at Ita Oshin, which resulted in at least one fatality and numerous injuries.
He emphasized that moving forward, companies applying for gas licenses must have the capability to transport their products directly to end users without relying on virtual transportation.
The Minister assured that compensation would be provided to the victims of the explosion.
“In order to mitigate the risks associated with virtual gas transportation, particularly concerning the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano pipeline, I have instructed the chief executive authority that any future license issuance will require companies to have the infrastructure to transport gas directly to end users,” Ekpo stated.
He further elaborated, “Our ministry is actively working to minimize virtual gas conveyance. We are prioritizing the development of gas pipeline infrastructure to ensure transportation occurs through pipelines rather than virtual means. This strategy will not only reduce the occurrence of such incidents but also alleviate the strain on our roads.”
