In a move to ensure public safety and a friendly environment within the state, the Imo State House of Assembly has asked Governor Hope Uzodinma to stop the proliferation of cooking gas outlets within residential areas.
The call was made following the adoption of the motion moved by the member representing Isiala Mbano Constituency, Samuel Ikechukwu Osuji, who informed the House that indiscriminate establishment of cooking gas outlets is posing serious threats to lives and property within residential areas.
He stated that there is a law responsible for monitoring and regulating the installation of cooking gas outlets and wondered if the agencies like Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NPRA, and its sister agency, Nigeria Upstream Regulatory Authority, NPRA, are no longer living up to their responsibilities.
The lawmaker maintained that he is aware that the Imo State Ministry of Petroleum and the other agencies are responsible for ensuring that regulations in the petroleum, oil, and gas sectors are strictly followed to safeguard lives and property in the state.
Osuji noted that the rampant location of cooking gas outlets is exposing Imo residents to danger, adding that many lives have already been lost, and property destroyed, as a result of gas explosion.
“Many cooking gas stations and local retail outlets have sprung up in most residential areas and the owners refill gas cylinders in their shops and on the roads located in every street within the state capital, dispensing the product from 50kg cylinders to buyers with 12.5kg,10kg, 7.5kg and below.
“These cooking gas stations and local retail outlets have become ticking time bombs in the state,” he said.
He implored the House to urge the governor to direct the Ministry of Petroleum and Environment in collaboration with Owerri Capital Development Authority, OCDA, to carry out a proper investigation on the issue, and seal off outlets that did not conform with environmental laws, to protect lives and property.
He further urged the House to mandate the committees on Environment and Imo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, ISOPADEC, to jointly invite officials of ministries of Environment, Petroleum, and OCDA, to find out the cause of the indiscriminate establishment of cooking gas stations, within the state capital, without adhering to environmental laws.
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