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The Department for Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Rivers State has sealed 24 illegal gas outlets and rejected over 20 applications for license by gas dealers over failure to meet standard operational requirements.
Its Zonal Controller, Bassey Nkanga, disclosed this in Port Harcourt after a routine monitoring exercise, saying it would be too expensive to allow illegal gas dealers to operate in the state, insisting that the situation if not properly handled might lead to explosions and destruction of lives and property.
He added that the exercise was informed by the need to urgently stop the frequent cases of gas explosion mostly caused by illegal retail gas outlets.
Some of the stations sealed are, JP gas in Woji Estate, Tammy Gas at Port Harcourt Township while others were sealed on Ikwere Road, Rumuola, D/Line, Elabuchi and Government Reserved Area (GRA).
“The essence of today’s exercise is to ensure that those operating illegally do not continue.
“The implication of allowing them to operate is too expensive, which may result in explosions. If they operate where they were not supposed to operate, it could lead to damage of lives and property,” he said.
Nkanga explained that gas dealers should operate in well-ventilated places without the risk of naked flame or spark and should stop trans-filling of gas from cylinder to cylinder.
“We rejected over 20 applications because they did not meet our requirements and we sealed 24 gas outlets, we are dedicated to this task because the consequences are too expensive. We have been engaging in public awareness to enlighten the people better,” he added.
Some of the gas retail outlets dealers in an interview expressed their willingness to comply with the directives and guidelines but requested for more time to enable them to raise the funds required to make the necessary adjustments.
A resident, Emeka Friday, described the exercise as a welcome development, which according to him, would guarantee safety, but stressed the need for adequate sensitisation and awareness to members of the public and the gas dealers.