Nnewi Gas Explosion: Group Harps On More Safety Consciousness

A Non-Governmental
Organisation Gas Alert for Sustainable Initiative (GASIN), has described the industrial gas plant explosion at Inter Corp Oil Limited, Nnewi in Anambra State, as a national tragedy.
The Executive Director of GASIN< Rev. Fr. Edward Obi, who expressed sympathy of the organisation to the affected families and corporate organisations over the Christmas eve tragedy said “accidents like this underscore the reason why GASIN was established by the Niger Delta Catholic Bishops’ Forum (NDCBF), to sensitize the local people living close to functional gas facilities.
“Gas fire explosion is disastrous and almost inevitable in areas where gas is either extracted or processed or transported or used”, he said, and stressed the need for appropriate levels of safety consciousness and practices in people living close to gas facilities and for companies engaged in gas business.
Obi expressed worry over unsafe practices by oil and gas companies in their operations particularly in the Niger Delta region as well as unacceptable activities by some natives in the oil host communities and emphasised the need for change of attitude for the safety of human lives and the environment.
He remarked that it was better to take precautionary measures that could check gas accidents in view of the disastrous and far-reaching effects of any such accidents instead of allowing such accidents to occure before remedial measures.
According to him good number of gas accidents could have been avoided and advised oil companies, government agencies and host communities to be more safety conscious in their dealings.
“GASIN will continue to sensitize the local people in the Niger Delta on gas issues in an effort to discourage any form of inter-ference with gas facilities and educate them on safety practices that will enable them stay safe amidst gas exploitation activities, looking at the devastating impacts of gas accidents”, he said.
It would be recalled that Inter Corp Oil Limited, a subsidiary of Chikason Group located along Nnewi-Okigwe Road in Anambra State was involved in gas explosion on Thursday 24th December 2015, resulting in the deaths of eight persons and widespread destruction.

Chris Oluoh