By Ndubuisi Micheal Obineme
…visits the site of a gas truck accident in Ogun State.
…urges distributors to invest in more pipelines to deliver gas to end users.
Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo has called on all stakeholders in the gas distribution value chain to improve their safety measures, especially on virtual gas distribution via trucking across the country.
The minister said this while he visited the site of a gas explosion at Ita Oshin in Abeokuta, Ogun State, resulting in a loss of life and destruction of property.
The accident, occurred when a truck conveying CNG experienced brake failure, crashed into the road barricade and the truck head went up in flames.
On the Minister’s entourage were the Authority Chief Executive (ACE) of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, members of the Minister’s technical team, and officials of the NMDPRA.
The Minister was received by Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who thanked him for the visit, stressing the importance of a thorough investigation to unravel the root cause of the accident and implementation of recommendations made to forestall future re-occurrences.
Deputy Governor of the State, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, and other officials of the state government had conducted Ekpo and his team on a tour of the accident site.
The Minister commiserated with families affected by the tragedy and Gasco Marine Ltd, owners of the gas truck.
He also commended the swift response of fire service personnel, and first responders, in the aftermath of the gas explosion even as he reiterated his commitment to grow the gas space.
Ekpo said going forward, rather than trucking to end users, the regulators will emphasize the issuance of distribution licenses that will ensure that licensed distributors invest in the installation of pipelines to deliver gas directly to end users.
He said the shift from trucking to pipeline transportation would not only enhance safety but improve efficiency and reliability in delivering gas to consumers.
“As the Honourable Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), I am committed to growing the gas space, but I can assure you that every effort is being made to prevent such accidents as this one from occurring in the future,” he added.