Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Concerns have been raised on the need to regulate the proliferation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, retail outlets in residential and densely populated areas in order to curb incidents of gas explosion.
A member of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Aniefiok Deninis Akpan, who raised the concern, also stressed the need to ensure that all LPG retail outlets in the state met all safety criteria and were duly certified by relevant agencies.
Akpan who represents Etinan State Constituency, disclosed these in a bill titled, Proliferation of Liquified Petroleum Gas sales outlets within residential areas in Akwa Ibom State; A ticking time bomb waiting to explode.
The lawmaker explained that although LPG was an essential commodity used for cooking, it was highly inflammable and requires extra precautions in its handling, storage and usage.
He recalled recent incidences of gas fire explosion which led to wanton destruction of lives and properties in Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna State, and other parts of the country.
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“Many retail outlets have sprung up in the state, mostly in residential areas, lock up shops and even on roadsides by these LPG vendors, which is dangerous and capable of causing gas explosion leading to the loss of lives and properties.
“The State Ministry of Environment and Petroleum Resources; Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, must ensure the enforcement of relevant extant laws relating to the establishment and location of these LPG vending outlets/facilities.
“Proper checks should be made to ensure these outlets are duly licensed and locations certified by DPR, Fire Services and/or other relevant agencies,” the lawmaker prayed in the bill.
