Some gas users in Port Harcourt and its environs have urged the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to streamline its new policy on the use of domestic gas products for the optimal benefit of consumers.
Some of the gas users who spoke with The Tide in Port Harcourt at the weekend commended the DPR for its efforts in regulating the downstream sector of the petroleum industry,  but however, expressed reservations on some aspects of the new policy on  consumption of domestic gas.
A gas user, Anthony Dike, told our correspondent that the DPR should phase out the use of old gas cylinders in circulation to minimise the hazards  associated with the use of old cylinders.
“I commend the efforts of the DPR in regulating the operation of domestic gas retailers, but I want to appeal to the agency to ensure that they  stop the use of old cylinders; this will minimise cases of explosions at people’s homes.”
Another respondent, Mrs Becky Wokoma, said with the new policy on the use of domestic gas, gas users were expected to drop their cylinders at retailing points in exchange for  new ones. She explained that; “If old cylinders are not entirely removed from circulation, some customers will exchange their old cylinders for new ones, while the original owners of the new cylinders will be made to collect the old ones.”
Also commenting, a gas retailer, Mr Clement Obot, said the new policy would make gas users to be more maintenance friendly and called on the DPR to ensure that the new innovation is sustained.
The Tide recalls that the  Port Harcourt Zonal Head of DPR, Bassey Nkanga, had last week, disclosed that the agency had introduced a new policy on the use of domestic gas.

Taneh Beemene