By Maureen Abiodun Eseh
ASABA/Nigeria: Three gas plants operating in Delta State, Matrix and Nipco Gas, both in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta state and Erimator & Alero Energy Limited/LPG Plant in Owa Alero, Ika North East Local Government Area of the state, have been given one week ultimatum to report to the Ministry of Oil and Gas in Asaba with their valid Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) permits.
It was the outcome of a monitoring visit, led by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Grace Puegeren, in response to complaints that some gas plants were springing up in residential areas.
Puegeren explained that “at the Ministry of Oil and Gas, one of our mandates is to ensure safety of lives with respect to citing of gas plants and filling stations in Delta State. Principally, what brought us to this monitoring visit is the petition we received from some residents that new gas plants were springing up in their neighbourhoods. You can recall the last incident of gas explosion that occurred in Agbor. Hence, residents have become very conscious of their safety.”
She revealed that, “Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State, is very much concerned about the safety of lives and property in the state. In line with the governor’s commitment to an atmosphere of safety, the Ministry of Oil and Gas is out to ensure that all operators of gas plants and filling stations comply with all safety requirements.”
On what was discovered, Puegeren said: “although, we could see that some safety measures have been put in place, we discovered that the three gas plants concerned are located in residential areas. We’re trying to speak with the managers, because none of them are on ground. Hence, we are inviting them to the Ministry’s headquarters in Asaba for necessary explanations, while we also intend to sit with the DPR on a roundtable discussion to look at the issues on ground.”
Puegeren was reacting to the fact that representatives of two of the gas plants claimed to have DPR permits, while at Matrix in Agbor, attempts by the security man on duty to get the owner to speak with the ministry’s officials on phone, proved abortive, as his line was not connecting.
The petitioners against Matrix lamented that the owner could not be reached since mounting the gas tank, preparatory to commencing the sale of LPG to the public, despite being surrounded by numerous residential buildings.
The petitioners were the Ika Landlords and Landladies’ Association, comprising of Ika South and Ika North East local government areas with the Chairman, Arimokwu Vincent, as well as Comrade Ojebo Peter, Secretary of Ebonyebikaowachi, a neighbourhood association, Agholor Augustine and Augustine Oghumu.
Arimokwu further lamented that, “what necessitated our petition was last year’s explosion at Osadebe Gas Plant, Agbor, which is a stone throw from here. So, we are still all part of the losses and psychological trauma of that incident. Our opposition to the gas plant is for the public interest, because if you recall, the explosion at Osadebe Gas Plant also affected many passersby.”
During the visit, the ministry’s officials were seen taking measurements between the gas tanks and the closest residential building, but it was apparent that the stipulated 50 metres distance had not been maintained.
Puegeren advised “Deltans to be on the look out and report to us when they notice these gas plants in their neighbourhoods.”
