By Amos Sikaonga 
By Cecilia Chiluba
Zambia Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (ZLPGA) has called on Government and Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to address the proliferation of gas refilling kiosks dotted around the country.
Speaking in an interview wit Money FM News, Association President Obed Chiluba noted that most of the people who are setting up gas refilling kiosks are not trained, while others are well skilled.
Mr. Chiluba stated that most of them are not affiliated to any LPG Marketing company, hence they do not have anyone to give them guidance on how to refill gas.
“Unfortunately these kiosks, are the first contact points for our consumers. Assuming you want to start using gas and you walk to this booth, what ever information this person gives, you will take it as gospel truth and yet this person is not even trained.”
“So it is a serious problem that we have observed and it requires some attention from the relevant authorities such as Energy Regulation Board and I am happy to mention that ERB has written a memo to the LPG Marketing Companies and even these people who are in the energy space without any license from ERB,” Mr. Chiluba stated.
He also urged consumers to always get professional advice before they start using a gas stove to protect themselves from explosions which may result in death.
“You will appreciate the fact that the gas temperature moves from 0.0 °C to 1, 970 °C, now if somebody is exposed to that heat for may be 10 seconds, those are enough burns to kill a person.”
“That is why we want people to get professional advice, do not just go to these kiosks dotted around and say you have gotten enough information, please let us not do that to safeguard our lives,” he added.
Mr. Chiluba however indicated that the Association is doing its level best to make sensitize the new LPG users, now that almost everyone is trying to transition from the conventional energy such as charcoal and electricity.
“Gas is a new technology which requires a lot of education and awareness,” Mr. Chiluba said.
Recently, a Lusaka couple reportedly suffered severe burns in their sleep after a suspected gas cylinder explosion engulfed their home in Chainda compound, leading the death of the husband.
Cecilia Chiluba