HRM, Abe 1, assessing level of damage to the gas plant site
* Abe 1, attributes cause to negligence
By Ambrose Ologide, Warri
No fewer than 3 persons were injured in an explosion in Nelmic Gas Plant , opposite Post Office, Effurun Uvwie Local Government Area on Monday 20th February, 2023.
The incident occurred at about 9 30 pm destroying a gas tanker, a giant stationed gas plant , office accommodation, security post among other properties in the process.
Some particles of the exploded tank were seen in the neighbouring buildings , including buildings across the Effurun/ Sapele Road in Alaka Quarters .
The Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori and HRM Dr Emmanuel Ekemejewa Sideso JP OON Abe 1 the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom ,paid an inspection visit to the blunt gas plant .
In their separate remarks, the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly who is also the Peoples Democratic Party 2023 Delta State governoship candidate and the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom attributed the cause of explosion to negligence on the part of the management.
This followed the narration of the owner of the gas plant, Peter Okonuka , the manager of the ill-fated gas plant ( who did not mention his name) and the security guard, who simply identified himself as Sani.
Rt Hon Oborevwori and the traditional ruler sympathised with those that were injured and the management over the incident .
The 2023 Delta State PDP governorship candidate and the Uvwie monarch also thanked God that no life was lost.
Abe 1 thanked Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori for his quick response ” It shows that you have the interest of my subjects at heart ” he remarked.
The member representing Uvwie Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Solomon Okporua Ighrakpata accompanied Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori on the inspection visit.
The owner of the burnt gas plant, Mr Peter Okonuka an Indigene of Ondo State had earlier affirmed that there was no loss of life and that three persons were injured
He also said that he suspected a sabotage.
The security guard , Mr Sani attested that there was a leakage in one of the valves of the gas tanks that caused the explosion.
However this was contrary to the narration of the manager who told reporters that he ensured that all valves in the gas tanks were locked before he closed for duty on the fateful day.
The Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom had earlier in an exclusive media chat with our correspondent criticized the location of gas plants in residential areas.
He noted that in civilized World, gas plants are located in isolated areas.
The traditional ruler also called on Department of Petroleum Resources ( DPR) to live up to its responsibilities so as to ensure safe operation of gas plants.
Some onlookers who spoke at the site of the incident expressed worries that many gas plants were located in residential areas in Uvwie Local Government particularly in Airport Road ( adjacent to Sokoh Estate , Enerhen Road , Effurun /Sapele Road among others.
One of them Ogoligala Matthew alleged that only licence for the sale of gas cylinders were approved for most gas plants in the area.
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