The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Akwa Ibom has condemned the proliferation of gas shops near residential areas in the state.
The Operations Controller of DPR, Mr Victor Ohwodiasa made the condemnation in an interview with newsmen in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom on Wednesday.
“It is unacceptable practice, we will definitely clamp on them, As a speak now, our men is on the way to check on the illegal gas stations and anyone caught, we face the wrath of the law,” Ohwodiasa said.
Ohwodiasa said that the exercise would be a continuous until the department would be able to regularise those that are regularisable based on the safety considerations.
He warned that any illegal gas shops that are not regularise would be shut permanently in the state.
“It is uncompromised operation because safety is involved and we are very critical about it and we don’t need to be reactive but we want to be proactive before we have incident, we need to nib it to the bud,” he said.
A resident of Uyo, Mr Etoro Udofia, has decried the proliferation of gas shops close to residential areas in the state, saying that it was not good enough for the occupants of the place.
He urged the State Government and relevant agencies to intervene and closley monitor the activities of the gas vendors to avoid casualties, given the inflammatory nature of gas.
Another resident in Uyo, Mr Unyime Akpan expressed worry over the proliferation of gas vendor in residential areas and indiscrimination of illegal in the state.
“We all know the combustible nature of gas. We have heard of sad occurrences in other places, and that is why the government must exercise strict control over their activities to safeguard lives and property of the people,” Akpan said.
He called on the state government to ensure the vendors are given frequent safety trainings considering the risk their businesses posed.
Also speaking, the Deputy Director of Fire Service in Akwa Ibom, Mr Anthony Tom attributed the proliferation of the gas shops to ignorance and lack of proper visibility studies when venturing into business.
He explained that since cooking gas was a common commodity used by people, strict compliance to safety precautions in the siting of such shops was necessary.
He advised operators to ensure strict compliance with the safety precautions as laid down by the department of the fire service to stop the danger associated with the indiscriminate citing of the shops.
He stated that the department makes use of dialogue approach rather than violence in getting defaulters to do the right thing, adding that prospective business owners must first visit the Fire Service office for inspection.
“Some people might think such shops are supposed to be in isolated areas but that is not ideal, note that the volume of dangers in that particular situation is also very high in case of any eventuality. You can have a whole city in flames and no one would be spared.
“The best option is; stick to the rules: when you want to open a gas dispense shop, follow the rules: number one: call in the fire service to inspect the space before you even pay for it, they will know the volume of danger in a given environment.
“We have discovered in the cause of our regular inspections that there could be food outlet where open flame is used and beside is a gas dispense shop.
“The danger here is applicable to everyone, the owner of the shop is not spared, the customers, even the ones patronising the food outlet are not excluded,” he stated.
The deputy director said sealing any gas shop was always considered a last resort when all explanations, persuasions, dialogue as well as education had been exhausted. (NAN)
