Enugu Moves against Unauthorised Location of Gas Plants
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
The administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State through the State Fire Service has frowned at the spate of unauthorised and indiscriminate location of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)/cooking gas plants in the state, stressing that the associated risks are grievous because of the high inflammability of the substance.
Speaking during the ongoing state-wide fire safety training workshop held separately at Nsukka and Igbo-Etiti Local Government Areas, the State Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Okwudiri Ohaa, disclosed that “these small LPG refill outlets have geometrically increased the fire risk situation in our society today”.
Ohaa who pointed that “it is the mandate of the fire service to fight fire, prevent fire and perform rescue functions during emergencies”, adding that part of the agency’s regulatory function is to “inspect, recommend appropriate fire safety measures and issue fire permit/fire safety reports where these LPG (Cooking Gas) outlets and plants should be located”.
The Enugu State Fire chief revealed that the State Fire Service has in its usual proactive nature embarked on enforcement to close and prosecute those behind all illegal LPG retail outlets and plants across the state.
He said: “As the Chief Fire Officer of Enugu State, I have constituted and empowered an enforcement team to ensure that the exercise is professionally done. The enforcement team is working with relevant stakeholders including the LPG Retail Association and the Nigeria Police to ensure that Enugu State continues to be safe.
“A total compliance with fire safety is therefore demanded from all LPG (Cooking Gas) operators, domestic users and users of other flammable and non-flammable materials to avoid fire outbreak in Enugu State”.
Ohaa, who sought the cooperation and engagement of individuals and corporate bodies for “an air tight fire safety environment in Enugu State”, hinted that the workshops in Nsukka and Igbo-Etiti LGAs were in continuation of the fire safety awareness campaign across the 17 LGAs of the state aimed at safeguarding lives and property.
“We adopted this approach of engagement with the traditional institutions, the Presidents General, Market Leaders, Neighborhood Watch groups, religious and youth groups because we want this fire safety workshop to be wholesome to create a safer and more secured living environment for us, our friends and family.
“For this reason, we stand with His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Executive Chairman of Nsukka LGAs, Hon. Barr. Cosmas Ugwueze, the Executive Chairman of Igbo-Etiti LGA, Hon. Mrs. Nkechi Ugwu-Oju, and other 15 Council Chairmen, together with the good people of Enugu State to say No to fire outbreak in Enugu State,” he said.
In her speech, the Chairman of Igbo-Etiti LGA, Hon. Mrs. Ugwu-Oju
described the fire safety outreach as awesome and educating, saying that “we have learnt a lot”.
Also in his speech, the Chairman of Nsukka LGA, Hon. Ugwueze thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for availing the people at the grassroots the unique opportunity to be educated and sensitised on fire.
