The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) is set to partner with Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in tackling proliferation of illegal gas refilling outlets in Kaduna state.
The partnership was product of a visit by the Northwest Zonal Operations Controller of DPR, Mr Isah Tafida, to the State Commandant of Civil Defence Corps, Babangida Abdullahi Dutsinma.
A statement signed by the Kaduna state PRO of NSCDC, ASC Orndiir Terzungwe said that the visit was in response to the unfortunate gas explosion last Saturday at Sabon Tasha, Chikun local government area which claimed six lives and many properties put at N16.4m.
Tafida stated that the situation has assumed a worrisome dimension hence, a closer working relationship between the duo to avert further disasters. “The current situation requires a closer working relationship between the DPR and NSCDC in order to contend excesses of unlicensed operators.
“The Kaduna Zonal office has registered only 38 licensing gas plants in Kaduna, so there is no need for these menace of proliferation of illegal gas refilling points. DPR is embarking on high sensitization on utilization of LPG to enlighten the public on how to use gas and where to get it in support of the present administration’s policy to encourage its usage as a source of energy for cooking.
“As a major producer of gas in Africa and 4th producer and exporter globally, there is need for more people to rely on gas for energy thus the planned sensitization. The Federal Government encourages utilization of cooking gas as alternative to firewood considering the devastating effects of desertification.
Responding, Commandant Babangida Abdullahi Dutsinma, commended DPR for its efforts in protecting the economy of the country. He pledged his support towards the sensitization programme particularly by providing security during enforcement, surveillance and inspection exercises which will be taken to all local government areas.
Prior to the visit, the Kaduna State command of NSCDC had written to DPR on the gas explosion at Sabon Tasha which claimed the lives of one Professor Simon Malam and five others aside from those who sustained different degrees of burns and destruction of properties.
