LAFIA, NASARAWA STATE – (FIC Lafia Report) – The Nasarawa State Government has directed that all gas depots and refilling outlets be moved out of Lafia metropolis. The State Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura gave the directive when he paid a visit to the scene of the explosion that claimed many lives and properties worth millions of naira through the inferno at the Monaco Gas Station in Lafia recently.
Tanko Al-Makura explained that the directive became imperative in order to forestall further occurrence of the ugly incidents in the metropolis. He also directed that the Department of Petroleum Resources and other relevant agencies on petroleum resources and products be contacted to come and extinguish the gas station and find a way of evacuating the station, in order to ascertain a free environment for businesses in the state within seven days.
The Governor further revealed that the urban renewal law would be reviewed to create an enabling environment for all gas businesses and its refilling outlets in the metropolis, pointing out that all gas related businesses in the metropolis will now operate from 60 – 100 meter away from the vicinity of the immediate settlement to ensure that the lives and properties of citizens are safeguarded.
He instructed that all the victims of the gas explosion receiving medical treatment at various medical facilities across the country be given free treatment at Government cost, stressing that even those who will be referred to other medical facilities across other countries should be carried out at Government cost.
While on a visit to the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital in Lafia to console with victims of the explosion, who are receiving treatment, he prayed for their quick recovery from the injury sustained and described the incident as unfortunate. He also informed that he was away from the state when the incident happened.
In another development, Tanko Al-Makura swore in the newly appointed Governing Board of the State University and three higher institutions of learning in the state.
During the swearing – in, he charged the Chairman and members of the boards to be up to their responsibilities by ensuring implementation of the recommendations of the white paper report of their respective institutions. He later bided them to ensure the revitalization and reformation of the institutions for effective and excellent academic performance.
