The Governor of Abia State , Dr Okezie lkpeazu has maintained that indiscriminate siting of Petrol and Gas Stations without due approval is very dangerous to both human lives and economic resources of individuals and Government in the event of fire outbreaks.
Dr lkpeazu who made this known when he received a member of the House of Representatives AD-HOC Committee on Tank Farms Relocation, Petrol and LPG Stations Compliance at Government House, Umuahia further assured the House of Representatives AD-HOC Committee on Tank Farms Relocation, Petrol and LPG Stations Compliance of Government’s resolve to tighten loose ends to ensure that Petrol and Gas Stations are no longer sited in residential and unauthorised areas of the State.
The Governor represented by his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu pointed out that his administration has continued to create an enabling environment for business and investments to thrive by improving on the ease of doing business, documentations, issuance of certificates and means of collecting taxes to check multiple taxation and described their visit as apt especially now that Petrol and Gas Stations are springing up everywhere.e reassured the Committee whose visit according to him has added impetus to what Government is currently doing to stop the worrisome siting of these Stations indiscriminately and promised to support them achieve their objectives in their collective task of protecting lives and property of its citizens.
Earlier in her remarks, the Chairman, House of Representatives AD-HOC Committee on Tank Farms Relocation, Petrol And LPG Stations Compliance, Mrs Miriam Onuoha said they are in the State as part of their oversight function of ascertaining whether Tank Farms, Petrol, Gas and other LPG Stations are sited in accordance with guidelines and regulations and lamented that some of these Stations are approved and allocated without site inspection by relevant bodies.
Mrs Onuoha who commended the Governor Okezie lkpeazu’s administration for making the State an investment haven through ease of doing business, however appealed to Government to be more strigent in issuing approval to Gas and Petrol Stations to operate as well as stop the renewal of licences of Stations that failed to adhere to guidelines and other safety regulations.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Associate Prof ACB Agbazuere and other top Govt Officials were present during the visit.
