By Press Release
The Akwa Ibom House of Assembly is worried over the upsurge of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) sales outlets in residential areas in the state.
Consequently, the House has taken steps to regulate the establishment of gas sales outlets within the State to ensure that operators follow necessary safety measures for proper storage, discharge, and vending processes in approved locations.
This was sequel to a motion on the urgent need to regulate the upsurge of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) sales and vending outlets within residential areas in Akwa Ibom State sponsored by Hon. Precious Selong (Urue Offong/Oruko State Constituency) during Wednesday’s plenary in Uyo.
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Selong raised alarm over the sudden proliferation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) sales outlets and unauthorized transfer of LPG in residential areas, lock-up shops, and even on roadsides by vendors, labeling these actions as both hazardous and unrefined.
While emphasizing the need for regulation due to the possible deadly consequences associated with such practices, Selong recognised the importance of LPG as a cooking gas, and stressed the importance of regulating its distribution and usage to prevent potential accidents and fatalities.
“The combustible and volatile nature of this Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) requires that all necessary safety standards and measures be taken and complied with during its storage, discharge/vending and processes should be carried out in approved locations away from densely populated areas,” she stated.
Selong also expressed concern that there have been recorded incidences in the past which have led to the loss of lives and property as a result of gas explosions, pollution and fire outbreaks as a result of non-compliance to safety and environmental guidelines.
She noted that proactive measure be taken to curb storage, discharge, and vending processes of liquified petroleum gas to safeguard the lives and property of the citizenry, and called on the state Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources to ensure the enforcement of necessary laws relating to establishment and location of LPG vending outlets and facilities in the state.
In his ruling, the Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong directed the House Committee on Petroleum to engage the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and other relevant agencies on the operations of LPG sales outlets and facilities and report back to the House within one month.
Also, the House has received a message from Governor Umo Eno to legislate on the Value Added Tax Bill in the state.
The Governor’s message read by the Clerk of the Assembly, Mrs. NsikakAbasi Orok, was received through a motion by the Deputy Chief Whip, Prince Sampson Idiong and seconded by Hon. Bassey Pius Bassey of Okobo State Constituency.
The Speaker, after due consultations, assured that the Bill would go through first reading next week.
AKHA Hears Petition On Non-Payment Of 30-Month Salaries to Staff
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA) on Wednesday’s plenary, received two petitions from Mr. Nsikan Sunday Umana, a member of staff of the State Technical Education Board and Eteyen Offiong of the Ministry of Trade and Investment.
Presenting the Petition before the House, Chairman House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Public Petitions, Prince Aniefiok Attah, disclosed that the concern of Mr. Umana was the non payment of his salaries for over 30 months by the Ministry of Education without any stated reason, while that of Mr. Offiong was on compulsory retirement as a result of his involvement in the auctioning of unserviceable vehicle from the Ministry of Trade and Investment.
According to Attah, the affected persons are dissatisfied with the wrong treatment dished out to them in their respective ministries and have appealed to the House to consider the petitions following the current economic hardship experienced in the country.
The motion to receive the two petitions was moved by the member representing Ini State Constituency, Hon. Lawrence Udoide and seconded by the member representing Oron/ Odung Uko State Constituency, Hon. Mrs Kenim Onofiok.
Responding, the Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong, referred Umana’s petition to the Committee on Education, while the petition on Offiong’s compulsory retirement in the Ministry of Trade and Investment was referred to the Committee on Public Account for further legislative work and to report to the House in the two months.
