Yemisi Izuora
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), yesterday eulogized the Federal Government for the removal of Value Added Tax VAT on Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG).
Its President, Mr Nosa Ogieva-Okunbor in a statement said that the Federal Government had signed the approval of VAT removal on LPG and gazetted same.
According to him, clamour for VAT removal from domestically produced LPG otherwise known as cooking gas has been of perennial concern to members of the association.
“We express our profound gratitude and thanks to the Federal Government and all relevant government agencies for listening to our plea to remove VAT from LPG products sourced locally.
“We also want to use this opportunity to thank and appreciate the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) for the timely directive stopping the inappropriate and indiscriminate installation of skid plants in petrol stations,” Ogieva-Okunbor said.
He said the directive that all skid plants in filling stations be dismantled and removed was apt considering the huge danger and risk to the public in the operations of LPG skid plants in filling stations.
He, however, appealed for a proper and thorough implementation of the directive across the country.
He also pleaded with the government to create a more conducive and enabling environment for investors in the industry particularly now that deepening the consumption of LPG in the country had become a major interest of the government.
He said marketers were also geared toward ensuring the success of the programme by complementing the efforts of the government.
“We therefore appeal for a reduction on import duty on LPG equipment and accessories.
“The increased awareness of LPG usage has seen consumption in Nigeria growing from 50,000 metric tonnes, MT in 2007 to over 600,000MT in 2018 with more indigenous investments in LPG bottling plants.
“This will further ensure that majority of Nigerians enjoy the convenience of the proximity of LPG refill or exchange points.
“We implore the Federal and State Governments to initiate a well funded social welfare programme to expand usage of LPG,” he said.