ILLEGAL GAS PLANTS:. NSCDC, DPR SEIZE OVER 1,900 GAS CYLINDERS IN KADUNA

“So far, the exercise has witnessed the retrieval of no fewer than 1,931 decommissioned cylinders and eight suspects have been arrested from three different locations in the metropolis”.... NSCDC Kaduna.

Following on the heels of its determination to forestall further disasters arising from explosion of gas cylinders, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kaduna State Command in collaboration with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), has commenced evacuation of decommissioned LPG gas cylinders in the state.

This was the disclosure by the Kaduna state Command of the NSCDC on Thursday in a statement issued by the Command Public Relation Officer, ASC ASC Orndiir Terzungwe, on behalf of the State Commandant, Babangida Abdullahi Dutsinma.

According to the NSCDC PRO in the statement, “so far, the exercise has witnessed the retrieval of no fewer than 1,931 decommissioned cylinders and eight suspects have been arrested from three different locations in the metropolis”.

He revealed that investigation of the suspects has commenced while all the exhibits collected, were deposited in the care of the keeper.

“It has been uncovered that decommissioned (expired) cylinders which are perforated and disposed of by Total were been refurbished by welders and sold back to unsuspecting persons”, he stated.

Speaking on the ugly trend, an official of DPR said the situation can better be likened to buying and keeping a bomb and detonator in one house which may explode at any moment. 

“Recall that on January 4th, 2020 Sabon-Tasha residents in Chikun Local Government Area of the state witnessed a tragedy blamed on gas explosion which resulted in huge loss of properties and lives, including a Professor of Physics from the Ahmadu Bello University”.

“Consequently, as a proactive step in forestalling future occurrences, the Northwest Regional Coordinator of DPR, Isah Tafida led a powerful delegation from the department on a visit to the state Commandant, Babangida Abdullahi Dutsinma”.

In the statement, Terzungwe disclosed that the purpose of the visit as explained by the Coordinator was to partner with the Command in sanitizing the industry against sharp practices, safeguard sanctity of human lives and protection of DPR personnel among others during enforcement.

“NSCDC and DPR which have a partnership to sanitize the industry are determined to continue with the enforcement to cover every nook and crannies of the state”, he explained.

Also, joined as a critical stakeholder in the exercise is the Kaduna Environmental Protection Agency whose mandate among others is to enhance safety in the environment.