Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Amanullah Khan Jadoon has rejected the rumours about threat to civilian population as a result of establishment of CNG stations in populous areas saying that government is issuing licenses after ensuring safety and security measures.
He was talking to reporters at the launch of Shell Safety Week, on Monday, which has been designed to create awareness about safety measures that need to be taken by CNG vehicle owners.
He said that for adopting safety measures, the car owners must make sure rechecking of the CNG cylinders after every five years, for which Ogra has set up laboratories all over the country.
Earlier, addressing the launching ceremony, he said that the investment in CNG sector has crossed Rs 40 billion mark and the number of gas stations has reached 1,000. The minister said that government is planning to start CNG buses in the country to provide cheap travelling facilities to masses besides making the environment clean.
He commended Shell's efforts in ensuring the highest safety standards for its customers. Jadoon said that the number of CNG cars on the road has rapidly increased and the manufacturers are coming out with increasing number of CNG factory fitted cars. "At the same time, accidents involving CNG cylinders are increasing owing to substandard and cheap cylinders being installed by illegal conversion centres", he added.
The minister maintained that it is our responsibility to educate the public and create awareness about the risks and hazards of cheap and substandard cylinders. The ministry can take a proactive role in building public awareness and we will be happy to support any such initiatives by Shell. In fact Shell is well known for bringing new industry standards like it has, at its petrol pumps and in its products, he added.
Jadoon observed that all of us have a dual responsibility to ensure that CNG operations are carried out maintaining safety standards and procedures, and that they are effectively disseminated across the industry not just for oil marketing companies but for independent CNG stations as well.
Speaking on the occasion, Zaiviji Ismail bin Abdullah, Director, Retail Sales and Operations, Shell Pakistan, said that Shell is committed to CNG safety and has developed a CNG safety manual using local and global expertise and would be pleased to present and share it with industry, Ogra and HDIP.
He also proposed that a CNG safety council at the national level should be launched to monitor the accidents that take place because of cheap and substandard cylinders.
Javed Nazir, Director Operations CNG, Ogra and Hilal A. Raza, Director General, HDIP also spoke at the occasion. The minister also visited stall of the Shell Pakistan established to inculcate awareness among masses regarding the safety measures. Informative literature was also distributed among participants.