Residents of Asaba Demonstrate Against Alleged Unauthorized Gas Plant Construction

Residents of Imade Osazee Street in Asaba, the capital of Delta State, have filed a complaint with the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in response to the purported illegal establishment of a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) facility in their vicinity.

The local population voiced that they were compelled to bring their grievances to light as the construction has progressed significantly, especially following the recent catastrophic LPG explosion in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area.

In their petition, which was officially received by the Delta State Coordinator of NMDPRA in Warri, the legal representatives of the affected residents, PJ Eleweke and Partners, indicated that this gas facility is situated unlawfully adjacent to A.A. RANO filling station, disregarding the 5-meter separation requirement mandated by applicable legislation.

The residents expressed concerns that regulatory standards for LPG installation in Nigeria may not have been adhered to in this instance, possibly due to the alleged influence of the facility's owners, who also operate the filling station at the same site.

Consequently, the residents have urged the NMDPRA State Coordinator to act swiftly by conducting an investigation and implementing measures to halt the ongoing construction of the unlawful LPG plant, which they view as a potential disaster waiting to happen should an explosion occur.

One resident, wishing to remain anonymous, remarked: "The gas station and LPG facility are not only being constructed in a heavily populated residential neighborhood but also directly across from the Infant Jesus Schools, which serves hundreds of boarding students.

It is inherently dangerous to situate such installations near residential zones, particularly next to an educational institution of this size."

The petition has been shared with several key figures, including the Governor of Delta State, the Executive Head of NMDPRA, Aliyu Mohammed, the Commissioner for the Delta State Ministry of Oil and Gas, Chief Peter Uviejotobor, the Commissioner for Environment, Ejiro Jamani, alongside the Asaba Capital Territory Development Agency and the Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Area.