Business
NLPGA Operators Plan Gas Cylinder Plants
The Nigerian Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (NLPGA), says its members will soon set up assembly plants for gas cylinders in major cities in the country.
Alhaji Auwalu Ilu, President of the association, told newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday that the aim was to increase the number of gas cylinders in circulation by about 100 per cent.
“As soon as the market is saturated with cylinders, operators will embark on enlightenment campaigns on the use of gas as better means of cooking,” he said.
Ilu said that the investment, which would worth about N12 billion, would commence in the fourth quarter of 2011.
He said that the operators also intended to purchase 100 distribution trucks to get cylinders to the people.
According to him, the association is appealing to the Federal Government to make the sector more investor-friendly by removing the Value Added Tax on LPG.
“The government should also reduce duties on cylinders and other accessories,” he said.
Ilu said that the imposition of VAT on the product at different points of the distribution chain was responsible for the high price of cylinders.
“There is the need to raise awareness on the benefits of using cooking gas rather than other fuels like firewood and charcoals which cause deforestation which is inimical to the environment.
“Our grandmothers and grandfathers cannot continue to be felling trees for fuel, a trend they have maintained for ages, and then we don’t do something to change that trend,’’ he added.
“I know those who have never tried using cooking gas do have this fear about its ability to ignite and engulf a place easily.
“But again, there is no one who has ever switched from firewood and kerosene to cooking gas that wants to go back.
“So this means there is the need for awareness to encourage more people to utilise cooking gas,” he said.
Ilu urged the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the NNPC, Ministry of the Environment, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Information to be at forefront of the campaigns.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.