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We are committed to reducing the economic burden of Kogites – NMDPRA
… Assures of Safety of Residents, Reduce Cases of Gas Explosion in Kogi
The State Coordinator, Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in Kogi State, Engr Ogbe Orits Godwin says the Authority is committed to reducing the hardship faced by citizens, added that the Agency will not add to the economic burden faced by Kogites.
He made this known while playing host to members of the Federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Lokoja on Friday, assured of a working partnership with the Federated Chapel to reach people at the Grassroots.
The Coordinator noted the importance of the Federated Chapel in reaching the grassroots, said it will henceforth work with the Chapel to ensure safety and appropriate dispensing by marketers.
The Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says owing to the dogged commitment of the Authority in the State, no single gas explosion-related death has been recorded in Kogi state in the last one year.
Engr. Ogbe Orits Godwin, Kogi State Coordinator NMDPRA, said the agency it has sustained its clampdown on the dangerous cylinder to cylinder gas refilling business for the safety of the people and also for those handling the business.
He explained that decanting and cylinder to cylinder gas refilling is prohibited as it poses great threat to lives and properties.
He noted that just few years ago, Kogi witnessed recurring cases of gas explosions with fatalities recorded.
“We I came on board, we noticed that a lot of gas plants were spread all across the state with recurring cases of explosion. But more worrisome was the decanting process through which gas was dispensed, cylinder to cylinder.
“After a gas explosion in Obajana, I was detailed to investigate the incident. We found out that while the man was busy decanting he was burning the dirt he had earlier swept in front of the place. This led to an explosion and goods worth millions of naira went down the drain. With this and several other, we resolved to correct this,” he explained.
Engr. Ogbe said with the agency’s regulatory activities, NMDPRA has reduced the incidence of gas explosion across the state, with zero fatality recorded in last one year.
Chairman of the federated chapel, Mike Abu, commended the NMDPRA Coordinator for sustaining the integrity of the regulatory agency in the state.
Abu, however, called his attention to some filling stations that are operating like black markets, especially in Lokoja, the state capital.
He urged NMDPRA to make public a dedicated line that will give residents room to report stations engaging in sharp practices.
Engr. Ogbe said the NMDPRA is aware of the situation and working relentlessly to check the trend.
He recalled how the agency had swung into action on numerous occasions to check the excesses of fuel stations in the state.
“Now, some stations will not sell fuel from morning till after work hours. They assumed our officials must have closed from work in the evening when they eventually began selling. However, when we noticed this trend, we deployed monitors and those caught paid for their actions.
“We also have those operating illegally. We ensure they license their filling stations and operate legally in the state,” he said.
He assured that NMDPRA will not rest on its oars by ensuring strict compliance with extant laws and guidelines to ensure consumer rights are protected and guarantee safety of residents.
