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By Sarah NEGEDU
Authorities of the Federal Capital Territory Administration has ordered the immediate clampdown on erring fuel stations, following the incessant fire incidents recorded in filling stations across the nation’s capital.
Our correspondent gathered that over 10 tankers conveying petroleum products have exploded into flames in recent times, while 3 petrol stations were said to have burnt to ashes, due to flagrant abuses of safety rules by operators.
The Director General of FCT Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, Dr. Idriss Abbas, at an emergency stakeholders meeting, disclosed that the FCT minister directed that henceforth, sanctions be meted on Stations that flaunt safety protocols.
Abbas, who was represented by FEMA’s Director, Forecasting, Response and Mitigation, Florence Wenegieme, said the worrisome situation was created by petrol stations owners and operators who have continued to violate basic safety rules.
He noted that the sanction which would come in different dimensions was targeted at ending the wanton destruction, because the administration cannot continue to allow unscrupulous business managers to endanger the lives and properties of its citizens.
He noted, “there is a seeming lack of adequate knowledge of basic safety rules, absence of functional fire fighting equipment and trained safety officers in most of our filling stations.
“In addition, discharging petroleum products while the premises is already filled with vehicles and other customers waiting, and the activities of black marketers in and around the vicinity of the filling stations and highways, are dangerous developments that need to be addressed by all stakeholders to avoid catastrophic outcomes in the near future.
“Based on the above worrisome situation, the Minister of FCT, Malam Muhammad Bello, has directed that any filling station that records a fire outbreak would be sanctioned as no responsible government will fold its arms and allow loss of lives and property to be the order of the day.”
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