The Department of Petroleum Resources has warned Liquefied Petroleum Gas retail outlets against cylinder to cylinder gas refilling and decanting to avoid associated risks.

While speaking at a one-day sensitisation meeting with gas retailers in Adamawa state on Monday in Yola, the Operations Controller, Yola DPR Office, Mr.Sadeq Ibrahim, said the development was necessary to prevent fire disasters, as well as protect the lives and property of the people.

He said the department would no longer tolerate the cylinder to cylinder gas refilling business to avert the danger it poses for the safety of the people, and also for those handling the business.

“LPG cylinder to cylinder re-bottling, refilling, and decanting is prohibited by Department of Petroleum Resources.

“The trans filling of the resources is not allowed, and is against the DPR regulations and requirements because the business is highly hazardous and a threat to the lives and property of the people.’’

Ibrahim added that the department has recorded several fire outbreaks across the country as a result of poor handling and unsafe cylinder to cylinder gas refilling process.

He advised the retailers to improve their businesses, as the department had no intent to push them out of the business. He said the DPR regulations stated that one of the roles of gas retailers was to sell a full gas cylinder, either through cylinder exchange or a new one.

Ibrahim, therefore, charged the gas retailers to put safety measures in their shops and also register with the DPR.

“All gas retailers in the state are advised to provide protection safety facilities to their workers and the shop.

“Also, the retailers’ outlets are advised to register with the DPR to obtain an approved license’’, Ibrahim said.