LPG Marketers Push Safety, Digitalisation to Reduce Operational Risks

The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has urged the industry to prioritize safety, regulatory adherence, and the integration of digital technologies to mitigate risks and enhance efficiency within Nigeria’s LPG sector. During a webinar titled “Downstream LPG Operational Excellence and Compliance”, the association’s National President, Edu Inyang, emphasized that safety should be an ingrained part of daily operations rather than a sporadic initiative.

Inyang stressed that the LPG industry’s future cannot be realized by merely boosting volumes; instead, growth must be achieved through safe, responsible, efficient, and sustainable practices. The webinar convened industry professionals, regulators, and stakeholders to discuss challenges such as safety risks, market volatility, operational inefficiencies, and regulatory issues within the downstream LPG market.

Key recommendations from the event include the adoption of NALPGAM’s “Standard of Operational Excellence,” which is based on four core principles: maintaining safe and well-maintained facilities, ensuring operators are competent and properly trained, adhering to compliant processes, and safeguarding customers. Participants urged LPG operators to embed safety into their routine activities, enhance preventive maintenance, comply with licensing and incident reporting requirements, and cease practices like unauthorized propane blending and illegal decanting.

Inyang argued that compliance should be seen as an investment in long-term business sustainability, as adhering to standards can prevent accidents, safeguard assets, and bolster public trust in the industry. The association also highlighted the significance of digital tools in tackling product losses and boosting accountability in LPG operations.

Technologies such as smart filling systems, automated tank gauges, load cells, flow meters, and vehicle-tracking systems were cited as effective means for monitoring product movement, increasing measurement precision, and enhancing operational efficiency. With Nigeria aiming for an annual LPG consumption of around 5 million tonnes by 2030, stakeholders called for greater industry involvement and better coordination among operators, regulators, and governmental agencies.

They advocated for increased participation in the Decade of Gas LPG penetration program, alongside initiatives to boost access, improve cylinder traceability, and support certified local production. NALPGAM called on regulators and program coordinators to involve its members more actively in the implementation of LPG penetration and cylinder recirculation programs, citing the association’s nationwide reach and close proximity to consumers as key benefits in expanding market access.

Inyang reiterated NALPGAM’s commitment to establishing clear operational benchmarks across the market, emphasizing that safety, technical competence, compliance, and customer protection must underpin all industry practices. “Our goal is uncompromising: every LPG facility must be safe and well-maintained, every operator must be competent and adequately trained, every process must be compliant, and every customer must be protected.

This is the operational excellence standard we must collectively strive for,” Inyang stated. NALPGAM pledged its dedication to collaborating with the federal government, regulators, and other industry stakeholders to cultivate a safer, more efficient, and competitive LPG market, asserting that enduring growth will hinge on operators embracing elevated standards and leveraging technology to boost performance.