The Senate has urged the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to clamp down on illegal roadside retailers of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

The resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Ibikunle Amosun (APC-Ogun) during plenary on Tuesday.

The motion was “On the need to curb the rising cases of gas-related fire incidences, explosions and deaths in Ogun.”

The upper chamber also urged DPR to step up the clampdown on illegal roadside retailers of LPG who operate without a valid licence or who operate within residential areas.

It equally mandated its committee on gas and industries to investigate the cause of the recent gas explosions in Ogun and other parts of the country.

Moving the motion, Mr Amosun explained that natural gas found in abundance in the country had continued to gain acceptance across the country.

He further noted that the commodity, if not properly regulated, could be a curse rather than a blessing because of the loss of lives and destruction of property.

The lawmaker called on regulatory agencies in the LPG sector to live up to their responsibilities to enforce standards, clamp down on the influx of sub-standard cylinders and retailers who dispense adulterated gas.

The resolutions were adopted after a voiced vote by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.

(NAN)