THE Lagos State Government has advocated for the safe conversion of petrol for domestic use in the aftermath of subsidy removal and amidst rising petrol prices in the State and Country at large.
A statement signed by the Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, affirmed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration is committed to ensuring the safety of lives and properties of residents in the State, adding that all citizens must be cautious in converting their petrol generators in homes and offices to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) generators to minimise cost.
He stated that powering generators and plants with alternative fuels like LPG or Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) offers several benefits, just as it comes with concomitant issues that need to be managed to forestall bad incidences.
Mojola declared that the primary advantage of using CNG and LPG is that both are generally cheaper than petrol, offering potential cost savings over the long term. CNG and LPG fuels are also cleaner and do not contaminate the air as much as petrol and diesel.
In his words: “Natural Gas and LPG are often more abundant and domestically sourced in certain regions compared to petrol. This can provide greater fuel availability and independence from fluctuations in petrol prices or supply disruptions.
“CNG and LPG combustion produces less noise compared to petrol. This results in quieter generator operation, which can be beneficial for residential use and minimise noise pollution”.
He, however, stated that spark or heat from the converted generator can cause a fire outbreak, adding that LPG has the potential for explosions if not properly handled and the risk of gas cylinders falling and releasing its content if not placed on even flooring, therefore, an explosion could occur if the generator house is not properly ventilated.
Other health hazards are: corrosion of gas cylinders can occur when left in the rain or a humid environment; exposure to direct sunlight can expose cylinders to excessive temperature with an attendant risk of explosion; and a poor installation of the hybrid carburettors on generators can increase the risks of an accident.
On her part, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ms Shola Shasore, said that it is important to note that converting a petrol generator to use alternative and less expensive fuels may require modifications and the installation of appropriate conversion kits by qualified professionals
Shasore said, “The general public is hereby advised to engage only qualified technicians for this service. When in doubt, please contact the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources or Lagos State Safety Commission for guidance on professional vendors and installation as well as appropriate safety guidelines”.
