SON raids LPG cylinder fabricating syndicate in Anambra

The Standard Organisations of Nigeria (SON) has discovered a site where substandard Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Cylinders are fabricated and distributed in Onitsha, Anambra.

 

The organisation also raided the site located on Bida Road, Fegge and impounded cylinders at various stages of production and equipment loaded in three lorries.

 

Mrs Nwaoma Olujie, Coordinator of SON in Anambra told newsmen in Awka on  Thursday that the syndicates were producing the cylinder without recourse to any standard process which guaranteed their quality and safeness.

 

Olujie who described the domestic gas cylinders as ‘time bomb’ said the fabricators went as far as printing SON quality sign on the finished products, thereby misleading the unsuspecting public.

 

The coordinator who led the enforcement said no arrests were made as the illegal producers all took to their heels on sighting the team.

 

“LPG cylinders are used in almost every home in Nigeria; these people are fabricating and distributing them without subjecting them to any form quality control.

 

“What they are doing there is production of time bombs which can explode any day and anywhere.

 

“They fabricate cylinders of different sizes like 3kg, 6.25kg, 10kg, 12.5kg, 50kg and so on.., we raided the place to guard against killing Nigerians through domestic gas accidents”.

 

“So we raided the place and impounded materials including welding machines which are very critical in their operations, spraying machines, compressors and LPG cylinders on different stages of production all loaded in three lorries”.

 

“There was no arrest because when we arrived scene, they immediately fled upon sighting us, they locked their shops and evaporated into the thing air,” she said.

 

Olujie said those who wished to produce the items must seek approval from SON and subject their processes to the quality control standards of the organisation.

 

The coordinator said some of the equipment required for production of the product including bust pressure test radiographic to test internal flaws, leak test and material strength test machines were not in place.

 

She promised that SON will continue to work towards protecting innocent Nigerians from the activities of producers of substandard items.

 

“There are basic facilities that must be in place to ensure that you produce not only quality cylinders but safe LPG cylinders”.

 

“These are life endangering products and not an all comers affair, it is not something you go into because you are a welder, they are pressure vessels, people will put gases in them”.

 

“If you must be in this business, you have to operate within acceptable standards; the equipments must be in place and certified by SON.

 

“Manufacturers and importers alike need approval and they get registration number for traceability and inventory, but these people are branding their products with SON logo,” she said.

 

Olujie said SON would not relent in exposing manufacturers of unwholesome products and ensuring that markets were rid of such substandard items.