NALPGAM urges operators to prioritise safety as LPG market expands

THE Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has urged operators in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector to prioritise safety, regulatory compliance and operational efficiency as the country intensifies efforts to expand domestic LPG consumption.

The association warned that increasing LPG supply and market penetration must be matched with improved safety standards, competent personnel and responsible operating practices to prevent accidents, protect investments and sustain public confidence in the industry.

National president of NALPGAM, Mr Edu Inyang made the call at the association’s 2026 webinar themed, “Downstream LPG Operational Excellence and Compliance.”

The webinar brought together industry operators, regulators and other stakeholders to examine safety risks, market volatility, operational losses and regulatory requirements affecting the downstream LPG sector.

Inyang stressed that the industry’s long-term growth would depend not only on increased supply, but also on operators’ commitment to safe, efficient and sustainable practices.

“The future of Nigeria’s LPG industry cannot be achieved by increasing volumes alone. We must grow safely, responsibly, efficiently and sustainably. Safety is not an occasional campaign; it must become a continuous industry culture,” he said.

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A key outcome of the webinar was the adoption of the aspiration for a NALPGAM Standard of Operational Excellence, built on four principles: safe and well-maintained facilities, competent and trained operators, compliant processes and customer protection.

Participants urged LPG marketers to integrate safety into their daily operations, strengthen preventive maintenance and comply with licensing and incident-reporting requirements.

They also called for an end to unsafe practices, including unauthorised propane blending and illegal decanting, warning that such activities could expose operators, consumers and surrounding communities to avoidable risks.

Inyang said regulatory compliance should be considered a business advantage rather than merely an obligation imposed on operators.

“Compliance is not merely a regulatory burden; it is a business advantage. Well-managed LPG operations reduce accidents, improve efficiency, protect investments and strengthen public confidence in our industry,” he said.

The association also identified digitalisation as an important tool for improving safety and efficiency as the market expands.

Participants highlighted smart filling systems, automated tank gauges, load cells, flow meters and vehicle-tracking technologies as practical solutions for reducing product losses, improving accountability and strengthening operational oversight.

According to the association, adopting these technologies would enable operators to monitor product movements more effectively, improve inventory management and minimise operational inefficiencies.

With Nigeria targeting LPG consumption of approximately five million tonnes annually by 2030, stakeholders at the webinar called for increased industry participation in the Decade of Gas LPG penetration programme.

They also stressed the need for stronger collaboration to expand access to LPG, improve cylinder traceability and promote certified local manufacturing.

NALPGAM urged regulators and programme coordinators to involve its members in implementing LPG penetration and cylinder recirculation initiatives, citing their nationwide reach and proximity to consumers.

The association said greater involvement of marketers would help improve the implementation of these initiatives and accelerate LPG adoption among households and businesses.

Reaffirming its commitment to raising industry standards, Inyang said every LPG facility must be properly maintained, while operators should possess the necessary skills and training to conduct their activities safely.

“Our aspiration is clear: every LPG facility must be safe and properly maintained, every operator competent and adequately trained, every process compliant, and every customer protected. This is the standard of operational excellence we must collectively pursue,” he said.

NALPGAM reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Federal Government, regulators and other industry stakeholders to build a safer, more efficient and competitive LPG market.

The association maintained that prioritising safety, enforcing compliance and embracing technology would be essential to sustaining market expansion while protecting consumers, workers and industry investments.