ISLAMABAD:A spokesman for the Regional Office of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has said that the department is mulling publishing the names of those found involved in using compressors and gas pilferage in the national dailies to bring down the Unaccounted-for Gas (UFG) ratio.
“The SNGPL teams are conducting raids in collaboration with Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and local police personnel. The company is considering an option to publish the names of consumers involved in the installation of illegal compressors, and the gas pilferers in national dailies to prevent illegal activities and save precious and scarce gas,” spokesman Shahid Akram told reporter.
He said a special Task Force of SNGPL, during its ongoing operation to stop the illegal use of compressors in the Islamabad Region, had recently removed more than 27 gas meters, detected 18 theft cases and lodged six First Information Reports over direct tapping and causing loss to the national exchequer.
“It is unfortunate that some elements are using electric devices to get increased gas pressure, depriving other consumers of gas in the peak winter season and putting people’s lives at risk,” he regretted, vowing that the operation would continue unabated till bringing the illegal activity to a complete end.
He said the SNGPL vigilance teams and special task force were busy conducting a detailed survey of all sectors, societies and other localities, within the Islamabad region including capital territory, Murree, Kahuta, Attock, Fateh Jang and Taxilla to take legal action against compressor users.
The SNGPL spokesman said domestic consumers had appreciated the operation against this illegal activity and urged the local administration to take appropriate measures for preventing the sale of illegal compressors and other devices used to increase the gas pressure.
Answering a question, he said the company was making all-out efforts to ensure a smooth supply of gas to domestic consumers with regular pressure during the peak winter season.
For this purpose, the SNGPL has established a control room to resolve consumers’ complaints related to low gas pressure in its operational areas. “The control room is operating round-the-clock and taking prompt action by mobilizing field teams to resolve the gas-pressure-related issues. Consumers can lodge their complaints at the Call Center at 1199 and Control Room’s landlines number 051-9257774.”
The spokesman advised the consumers to avoid excessive use of gas and install fuel-efficient gas appliances like geysers and heaters in the peak winter season.
He asked the consumers to adopt all possible precautionary measures to avoid any untoward incident caused by gas leakages by discouraging rubber-pipe use with gas appliances and keeping the room windows open.
The company has also started a service to provide Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders for its consumers, which can be obtained by calling on Helpline-1210 or sending a WhatsApp message at 0333-7641199.