Member of Abia State House of Assembly representing Ukwa East State Constituency, Hon. Lewis Obianyi, yesterday at plenary presented a motion on the need for the State Government to regulate and prohibit the sitting of filling stations in residential and market areas across Abia State.
Leading a debate on the merits of the motion, Hon. Obianyi reminded his colleagues once again, that the primary responsibility of the Government is to protect the lives and property of its citizens. That the indiscriminate sitting of filling stations in close proximity to residential homes, markets, schools, and places of public gathering poses grave danger to public safety. That petroleum products are highly inflammable and that accidents involving filling stations have in the past resulted in loss of lives, destruction of properties and permanent disability. Several filling stations in various parts of Abia State operate without adequate environmental and fire safety measures and some are situated less than the regulatory minimum distance from homes and public spaces. That some sitting of filling stations in the state, violates the department of petroleum Resources (DPR) guidelines and the environmental protection law of Nigeria. That if immediate steps are not taken to stop this trend, our people will continue to live under constant threat of fire explosions, pollution, and other health risks.
The State lawmaker prayed as follows; that the House should urge the State Ministry of Environment and urban planning to place a moratorium on the approval of new fuel Stations in residential and market areas. That the House should mandate the state Ministry of petroleum to review the existing filling Stations in residential and market areas in the State with a view of determining the next step to be taken by the state Government in order to ensure the safety of the public. That the House urged the State Government to collaborate with the Department of petroleum Resources (DPR) and other Federal agencies involved in the sitting of the filling station to enforce the existing laws. That the House should urge the State Government to carry out public enlightenment campaigns on the risks of sitting petroleum stations within residential and market areas. Also, that the House should mandate its committee on ASOPADEC and petroleum to embark on oversight across the State with a view of determining the fuel stations that pose dangers to the people living within their immediate environment for appropriate action by the relevant authorities.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, after being given his colleagues opportunities to make their contributions, granted all the prayers and also encouraged Hon. Lewis Obianyi to find a way to present the motion as bill.
