Taskforce sealed up illegal Gas Plants at Ughelli, Udu in Delta

Taskforce sealed up illegal Gas Plants at Ughelli, Udu in Delta

Delta State Taskforce on Environment in collaboration with Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and Ministry of Environment today has sealed up illegal Gas Plant stations situated at Ughelli, Udu in the state.

The exercise was carried out following the Agbor illegal gas plant fire explosion that killed many lives as well as destruction of properties worths millions of naira in December, 2020.

Addressing the press during the operation, the Chairman Delta State Taskforce on Environment, Hon. Sylvester Oromoni said any gas plant without DPR approval situated around residential areas must be removed for safety of lives and properties. He reiterated that the Agbor gas explosion that killed many lives and render residents homeless was as result of siting such illegal plants close to residential buildings. He advice those who are unto domestic gas business to first seek DPR permit before erecting their stations, saying Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa led government will not tolerate illegal gas plant operation in the state, Oromoni stated.

In his reaction, the representative of DPR Warri, Engr. Solomon Adebayo said the gas plants was sealed up because they are illegal and not approved to operate by our office. He stressed that before one is allowed to erect commercial gas plant, first the location must not be situated close to residential area where people live. Secondly, the land size must be accurate, that is 100 by 100. And thirdly, the operator must be issued a permit licensed to operate by DPR. But unfortunately, Kparuz gas plant Ekiugbo Town Ughelli and others apprehended in Udu does not have any of the above stated requirements. Hence, "we are here today to sealed them up and urged them to relocate to a safer ground", he noted.

Also speaking during the operation was the Senior Special Assistant SSA, to the governor on Special Duties, Sir. Ighor Akpojotor reaffirmed Delta state government commitment to protect the lives and properties of all deltans, stressing that the government is doing everything possible to prevent further occurrence of what happened at Agbor in 2020. He therefore, charged commercial gas operators to do the right thing so as to be on the safe side of the law, he stated.

However, the chairman was accompanied in the operation exercise by the Coordinator Delta South/Central, Comr. Kingsley lweka, Mr. Ichei from Ministry of Environment, Mr. Michael Oyimor, ( Taskforce Supervisor) Warri, Mr. Lucky, (taskforce Supervisor) Ughelli among others.