By John Asiegbu
The Imo State House of Assembly on Thursday, 4th July, 2024, urged the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to urgently direct the ministries of Petroleum, Environment and Owerri Capital Development Authority, (OCDA) to jointly investigate the proliferation of gas plants and local retail outlets with the view to sealing the ones dangerously sited within residential areas to prevent further lost of lives and property to gas explosions
The House also resolved that the House Committees on Environment, ISOPADEC and Oil and Gas should, as a matter of urgency, jointly invite officials of ministries of Environment, Petroleum and those of OCDA, to ascertain the reasons for the proliferation and location of cooking gas plants and retail outlets in residential areas across the state.
This was sequel to the adoption of the motion sponsored by Hon. Samuel Ikechukwu Osuji, representing Isiala Mbano State Constituency in the Imo State 10th House of Assembly.
Presenting the motion during plenary, Osuji expressed worry that uncheck mated proliferation of gas plants and retail outlets in residential areas in the state had subjected Imo indigenes and residents to alarming danger with many lives and property already lost to gas explosions across the state.
According to the vociferous lawmaker, operators of the retail outlets dispense their products from 50kg cylinders to their customers with cylinders ranging from 12.5 to 5kg and below, in virtually every street across the state, particularly, Owerri, the state capital, without regards to the safety of lives and property of the people.
The former Sole Administrator of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area who decried the ugly development said more lives and property would be lost to gas explosions in the state, if left unchecked hence the urgent need for government intervention.
The motion which received overwhelming support of the House, had the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanw, Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi, Hon
Chigozie Nwaneri and 10 other lawmakers as co-sponsors
John Asiegbu is a journalist and political analyst, writes from Owerri Tell: (08122524050)
