Code of Conduct coming for LPG sector, says Energy Ministry
Published:Monday | January 15, 2024 | 7:01 PM
The Ministry of Energy says it is working on a Code of Conduct to prevent corruption and other crimes in the Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) industry.
It says the move is to protect consumers from falling victim to bad actors.
"The Code of Conduct includes appropriate sanctions for breaches and illegal activities, and the MSETT is assiduously working to finalise it and have it implemented as soon as possible," said the Ministry in a media release today.
The announcement follows a Sunday Gleaner article in which representatives of at least two legitimate LPG marketing companies bemoaned the effects of illegitimate dealers who are reportedly stealing and refilling cylinders belonging to the marketing companies.
The products are oftentimes substandard.
Police raided a location believed to be an illegal filling plant in Christian Pen, Portmore, St Catherine, last week, and sleuths said they are still searching for its owner.
More than 300 cylinders belonging to different marketing companies were seized in that raid.
The energy ministry has still not responded to a Gleaner request for an interview regarding issues reportedly plaguing the sector.
In its media release, the Ministry stated that it continues to work actively with the relevant authorities to combat illegal petroleum activities.
In the meantime, without shedding details about its plans, the energy ministry said it remains committed to strengthening regulations and enforcement mechanisms to effectively curb illegal activities; facilitate public education about LPG safety, and collaborate with stakeholders to uphold high safety standards.
It is urging the public to purchase LPG only from authorised dealers and suppliers.
Jamaicans are also being asked to look for the Jamaica Bureau of Standards (BSJ) certification marks on cylinders and ensure proper seals are intact. This is the notation of the standard JS 25 imprinted on the neck of the cylinder.
Further, the public is being urged to never buy LPG from unlicensed or informal vendors. These operations often lack proper safety measures and pose significant risks.
Persons are also encouraged to regularly inspect their gas appliances and connections for leaks and use only qualified technicians for any maintenance or repairs.
And members of the public are being encouraged to install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in their homes. These life-saving devices can alert you to potential dangers early on.
- Corey Robinson
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