NMDPRA Vows to Prosecute Owner of Gas Plant that caught Fire in Port Harcourt
-By Precious Ahiakwo-Ovie
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says it will arrest and prosecute the owner of the gas plant that caught fire last week for operating illegally.
Field Coordinator of The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Rivers State Tubo-Alabo Lionel shortly after a preliminary investigation on the site of the incident along East West road, said the operators were not even obeying safety rules.
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“From our preliminary investigations, we found out the gas plant was operating illegally without a license, despite several rejections by the Authority to the operators application, because the location does not meet the required specifications to operate as a gas plant. The operators will be arrested and prosecuted, for jeopardizing people’s lives and property. This is also a warning to those operating illegally in Rivers State to come to the office and get the right specification and license to operate. Because if we catch them, they will face the wrath of the law”.
Field Coordinator of The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Rivers State Tubo-Alabo Lionel said four persons were injured during the explosion, according to the operators.
He said efforts to confirm the health status of the victims at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, met a brick wall as staff of the Wounds and Burnt department would not give them access.
“Our investigations also revealed that four persons were injured and are receiving medications at the UPTH. Three of them are staff of the illegal gas plant, while one of the explosion victims is a customer.
We went confirm how the victims are responding to treatment at the hospital, but met resistance from the staff of the department they are kept. Maybe due to protocols. This is sad.
Our correspondent reports that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority sealed the gas plant for operating without approval and license.
