KANO: The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated a legislative process to repeal the State Fire Service Directorate Edict No 17 of 1970, aiming to regulate the operations of cooking gas retailers within Kano metropolis. The proposal seeks to introduce a new section targeting the regulation of indiscriminate sales of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, throughout the city.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the legislative move came after the House Standing Committee on Special Duties adopted a report during a plenary session presided over by Speaker Ismail Falgore. The committee had investigated the rampant sale of cooking gas in residential areas across Kano metropolis. Abdullahi Yahaya, the Chairman of the committee and representative of the NNPP – Gezawa constituency, disclosed that the Kano State Fire Service Directorate identified approximately 475 illegal cooking gas outlets during engagements with relevant stakeholders.
Yahaya further revealed that data from the Niger
ian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) indicated the presence of 234 unlicensed natural gas retailers in the state. This investigation was prompted by a motion put forward by Tasiu Abubakar of the NNPP – Kura constituency, highlighting the need for a regulatory framework to protect lives and properties from potential disasters caused by illegal LPG retailers in the metropolis.
Expressing concern over the prevalence of uncertified LPG marketers, Yahaya noted that the committee’s findings were confined to Kano metropolis. He also pointed out that even among those registered with NMDPRA, many lacked the essential training required to improve their operations. The committee recommended that the state government establish permanent sites for cooking gas marketers at the six main entrances to the metropolis, similar to the designated GSM and pharmaceutical markets.
Yahaya specified that these six sites are to be located at Hadeja Road, Maiduguri Road, Zaria Road, Madobi Road, Gwarzo
Road, and Katsina Road. He emphasized that repealing the Service edict would provide necessary guidelines to empower and support LPG retail services within the state.