Anambra State Government says it will commence dismantling of cooking gas plants and skids sited within petrol stations and densely populated areas in the next one week.
The Executive Chairman of the State Physical Planning Board, Mr Chike Maduekwe disclosed this, during a Media briefing at the Government House, Awka.
Government House Correspondent, Ejike Abana reports that Mr Maduekwe who said that the step is pursuant to the notices earlier issued to the operators in 2018, advised operators to remove such skids themselves or risk government enforcement, noting that even though Department of Petroleum Resources gave such approvals, it contravenes the existing town planning laws.
According to Mr Maduekwe, it is not the intention of government to create difficulties for business owners and explained that the State government decided to give such a long time, for the operators to comply by themselves, stressing that the Board has special equipment to dismantle the skids, but solicited the union’s cooperation.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Venerable Amaechi Okwuosa emphasized that the agency does not give an approval for such skids, regretting that the practice is on the rise adding that government is very serious with enforcement this time around.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Creative Security and Managing Director of Fire Service, Retired Air Vice Marshal Ben Chiobi said that the State government is just trying to be proactive, and disclosed that in collaboration with the union, they will engage in fire safety audits to ensure that petrol stations comply with safety standards.
Some of the participants, including Chief Osita Obiokafor and Mr Nonso Eze who said that the issue started since 2018, affirmed that there are gas plants and skids sited in wrong locations , pleaded with government to give them minimum standard, issue them a notice or remove the skids gradually.
Petrol station operators and representatives of security agencies in the State among others, attended the meeting which ended after a minute silence was observed for victims of the Lagos gas explosion.
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