Petrol stations in residential areas to face sanction –Minister

From Dom Ekpunobi, Onitsha
Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, has said the Federal Government will sanction petrol stations located in areas where they pose danger to the public.
Dr. Ngige announced this during his visit to the scene of gas explosion at the head office of Chicason Group of Companies in Nnewi, Anambra State, in which many lives were lost.

He said: “Many petrol stations across the country are located at residential and densely populated areas where they could pose danger to the public, saying such filling stations will soon be sanctioned by the government.
“Government has a duty to protect lives of the people and will take every necessary step to protect the people especially workers in industries, so that they will not be exposed to unnecessary danger.”
The minister expressed shock at the magnitude of damage caused by the gas plant accident, saying precautionary measures would be taken to save lives of workers in the nation’s industries.
He said: “I am really shocked at the magnitude of damage caused by the gas explosion.
“I thank God that you did not lose any member of your staff in the inferno.”
He said the recent spate of major industrial accidents were reminders of the unsafe conditions being faced by many at work and neighbourhood communities, citing example of explosions involving pipelines, petrol tankers, steel mill, killing nine workers in Ogun State and chlorine leakage at water works in Plateau State.
Sympathizing with Chicason Group and families of those who lost their loved ones in the inferno, the minister said his ministry would send health inspectors to the company to certify the health safety environment of the establishment.
He directed the officers in his ministry to liaise with the management of Chicason Group and compile comprehensive information about the damage caused by the gas plant accident.
Earlier, Managing Director of Chicason Group, Chief Linus Ilozue, said an interim report of the accident had been forwarded to the office of the minister, pending when the final report would be ready.