Just In: Imo Assembly Urges Uzodinma To Halt On Cooking-Gas Outlets In Residential-Areas

Just In: Imo Assembly Urges Uzodinma To Halt On Cooking-Gas Outlets In Residential-Areas

In a decisive move to ensure public safety and a friendly environment within the state, the Imo State House of Assembly has urged Governor Hope Uzodinma to halt the proliferation of cooking gas outlets in residential areas.

This call was made following the adoption of a motion presented by Samuel Ikechukwu Osuji, the member representing Isiala Mbano Constituency. Osuji highlighted that the indiscriminate establishment of cooking gas outlets poses significant threats to lives and property in residential neighborhoods.

He pointed out that there are existing laws for monitoring and regulating the installation of cooking gas outlets and questioned whether agencies like the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) are still fulfilling their responsibilities.

Osuji emphasized that the Imo State Ministry of Petroleum, along with other relevant agencies, is responsible for ensuring strict adherence to regulations in the petroleum, oil, and gas sectors to safeguard lives and property in the state. He noted that the rampant establishment of cooking gas outlets is endangering residents, with several incidents of gas explosions causing loss of life and property.

“Many cooking gas stations and local retail outlets have sprung up in most residential areas. Owners refill gas cylinders in their shops and on the streets, dispensing the product from 50kg cylinders to smaller ones like 12.5kg, 10kg, and 7.5kg. These stations and outlets have become ticking time bombs in the state,” Osuji stated.

He called on the House to urge the governor to instruct the Ministry of Petroleum and Environment, in collaboration with the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA), to conduct thorough investigations and seal off outlets that do not comply with environmental laws to protect lives and property.

Osuji further urged the House to mandate the committees on Environment and the Imo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ISOPADEC) to jointly invite officials from the ministries of Environment, Petroleum, and OCDA to investigate the causes of the indiscriminate establishment of cooking gas stations within the state capital without adherence to environmental laws.